Hoops notes & Georgia Southern previews, football notes, varsity notes, WVU Pros updates, Big 12 roundup & more
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What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Thursday, Nov. 21 - WV MetroNews
Garret Cullen and Brad Howe preview the Mountaineers’ matchup tonight against Georgia Southern as part of the Cancun Challenge.
Volleyball to Face No. 1 Texas, Baylor - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University volleyball team hits the road for its final Big 12 Conference road matches of the season, as it will face No. 1 Texas on Thursday, Nov. 21, in Austin, Texas, then will travel to Waco, Texas, to play Baylor on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m., ET.
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU goalie learned to love soccer - Times West Virginian
“My dad (Mike) got me into being a goalkeeper,” she said before Wednesday’s practice. “I wasn’t very good on the field. My dad was a soccer player, so he was really keen on getting me and my brother to play.”
Carey, West Virginia sign five for next season - Daily Athenaeum
The Mountaineers will be losing five seniors, so adding more depth to the roster is essential.
News of Note:
Football
Holgorsen, facilities and football future for WVU - Charleston Gazette
Cleaning out a crowded notebook and a cluttered mind while wondering what the future holds for Dana Holgorsen and the West Virginia football program
Forde-Yard Dash: West side stories emerge at USC, UCLA - Yahoo Sports
5 & 22, though I don't agree with him (big surprise) and his narrow viewpoint on the move
It’s a Fashion Show for Sports Teams - NY Times
At West Virginia, the Mountaineers’ veteran players usually decide each Tuesday how to mix and match the blue, gold and white Nike uniforms unveiled this season.
Hoops
Maintaining defensive focus becomes Huggins’ focus - WV MetroNews
Coach says fatigue and concentration lapses at fault for WVU allowing 77 points per game.
Williams figuring out life in the low post - WV MetroNews
West Virginia freshman forward beginning to better handle double-teams.
Staten, Harris duo lighting up scoreboard - Daily Athenaeum
Huggins and the Mountaineers need Staten as well as sophomores Harris and Terry Henderson big time.
Family Day Packages Available for Presbyterian - WVU Athletics
Fans are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the men’s basketball game against Presbyterian.
Field Announced for Puerto Rico Tip-Off - WVU Athletics
WVU men's basketball will be a part of eight-team field in 2014.
Georgia Southern Previews:
WVU Faces Georgia Southern Thursday Night - WVU Athletics
Cancun Challenge play begins Thursday night. (Includes video with Huggs)
Mountaineers still dealing with short bench vs. Georgia Southern - Charleston Gazette
That's something they expected to have to handle all year, of course, but injuries have even further depleted the available roster.
WVU basketball faces surprisingly tough test tonight against Eagles - Register Herald
Georgia Southern was supposed to be a tune-up.
Preview: WVU vs Geogia Southern - BGN
West Virginia hosts Georgia Southern in the opening round of the Cancun Challenge -- but the Eagles aren't your ordinary first-day fodder.
BGN Video: Scouting the Eagles - BGN
West Virginia will kick off the Cancun Challenge this week with two home games at the Coliseum, taking on Georgia Southern Thursday and Presbyterian Saturday.
Mountaineers prepare for four-game challenge - Times West Virginian
The first two games are at the Coliseum, high-scoring and high-soaring Georgia Southern Eagles followed in by Presbyterian on Saturday before WVU heads down Mexico way to play Old Dominion and then either Wisconsin or St. Louis in Cancun.
West Virginia vs. Georgia Southern Game Preview - WVillustrated
"They play fast, set a lot of screens, shoot threes," said Staten.
Pro News:
Devin Ebanks Set To Begin Season With Texas Legends - ProsReport
Devin Ebanks looks to begin the next chapter of his professional basketball career this weekend with the Texas Legends, an NBA D-League team affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks.
Joe Alexander, Santa Cruz ready to start season - ProsReport
After being one of the first players added to the Santa Cruz Warriors preseason roster, Joe Alexander is ready to make another run at the NBA.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor vs. Oklahoma State Stats Preview - Our Daily Bears
PEOPLE OF THE TARP: the Baylor Bandwagon - Cowboys Ride For Free
THIS is how you troll a fanbase
Bears, Cowboys form Big 12's new world order - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Can senior night emotion fuel Cyclones to win? - Ames Tribune
KU's Tony Pierson may be shut down for final 2 weeks of 2013 - Lawrence Journal World
Kansas State prepares for OU without Zimmerman - Wichita Eagle
OU Football Down Two Starters For Kansas State Game - Crimson And Cream Machine
Longhorns red zone offense has badly regressed in 2013 - Burnt Orange Nation
Gary Patterson compares TCU’s bowl-less 2013 to 2008 loss at Utah - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram
Back in business: Raiders welcome back Bush's energy - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Complete 2013 college football hiring and firing season primer - Pete Thamel - SI.com
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
He addresses a Holgorsen question this week
What's On Tap:
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
7 pm tonight from the Oliver Garden on ROOT. Mountaineers are giving 14.
Video of Interest:
WVU's Tony Caridi sat down with Head Coach Dana Holgorsen to discuss his plans for the bye week.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Danish model best known for her work with the SI Swimsuit Issue and Carl's Jr./Hardees. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Nina Agdal.
More from The Smoking Musket:
Follow @SmokingMusket Follow @SBNationCFB
Stay Or Go? The Smoking Musket Staff Weighs In On WVU's Dana Holgorsen
2013 Smoking Musket Podcast: Week 13
Mountaineer Morning Links: Wednesday (11/20/13) Edition
Mountaineer Retweet: A Look Back At WVU's Loss At Kansas
Mountaineer Morning Links: Tuesday (11/19/13) Edition