Oklahoma State previews, other varsity news, president search, recruiting update, Big 12 roundup & viewing guide, plus more.
Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Phantom Punch Winter Stout.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Friday, Jan. 10 - WV MetroNews
Garrett Cullen hosts this edition of Gold and Blue Now as the Mountaineers get ready to take on Oklahoma State on Saturday at the WVU Coliseum.
QB race deep concern for WVU in 2014 - Daily Athenaeum
Despite the fact that West Virginia was able to put a much more competent defense on the field in 2013, the Mountaineers were still a far cry from being a competitive team in the Big 12 last season.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Flashy passing offenses do not always win games - Times West Virginian
Oh, I know it’s been around a while, and in the professional game some guys have gotten pretty darn good with it, most of them named Manning or Brady, but for whatever reason I’m stuck in the dark ages where you won with the run.
Oh, I know it’s been around a while, and in the professional game some guys have gotten pretty darn good with it, most of them named Manning or Brady, but for whatever reason I’m stuck in the dark ages where you won with the run. - See more at: http://www.timeswv.com/wvu_sports/x1022873943/HERTZEL-COLUMN-Flashy-passing-offenses-do-not-always-win-games#sthash.HwAjDDCB.dpuf
WVU set for conference game against Texas Sunday - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia women’s basketball team will look to get back to its winning ways this weekend, facing Texas at home Sunday, Jan. 12 at noon.
National Association of Basketball Coaches, Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Allstate Announce 2014 Nominees to Good Works Teams - Wall Street Journal.com
WVU's Jess Harlee (women's basketball) is a nominee
Silva Named Soccer America MVP - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University women’s soccer forward Frances Silva has been named to the 2013 Soccer America MVP Second Team.
Gymnastics Opens 2014 Season - WVU Athletics
The WVU gymnastics team opens its 2014 season at No. 21 Kentucky Friday.
WVU seeks a 'superstar' for president - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia University will officially begin advertising that it's looking for a new president within the next few days.
Gee's tenure at WVU may be short, but he has goals - Charleston Gazette
E. Gordon Gee will be quick to tell you he is not the "interim president" of West Virginia University.
News of Note:
Cobbins' injury leaves Oklahoma State with void to fill going forward - Charleston Daily Mail
The first significant injury in the Big 12 this season is quite serious and struck one of the best teams in the country.
Point guard showdown - Charleston Gazette
Staten gears up for battle with Smart, Cowboys
Junior guard Juwan Staten develops leadership role in 2013-14 following early WVU success - Daily Athenaeum
"It’s night and day, but he’s worked at it. He’s put a lot of time in the gym, he’s put a lot of time in film study," Huggins said.
Oklahoma State guard Smart among nation’s best - Daily Athenaeum
One of the nation’s best teams, and perhaps college basketball’s single-best player in Marcus Smart, head into Morgantown Saturday for a conference showdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers.
WVU puts 2-0 Big 12 mark on line against Cowboys - Daily Athenaeum
Coming off two straight road wins against TCU and Texas Tech to start conference play, West Virginia puts its 2-0 Big 12 record on the line at the WVU Coliseum against No. 11 Oklahoma State.
Huggins excels as a teacher » WVU Sports » The Times West Virginian
There’s this secret about Bob Huggins’ coaching success over the years. It isn’t so much that he tries to keep it secret; it’s just that there has been so much else swirling around his programs over the years that it was overlooked.
NCAA denies Holton waiver - Charleston Gazette
Forward can’t play this year but has 2 years eligibility left at WVU
A Smorgasbord of Notes - WVU Athletics
Some WVU news and notes to get you prepped for this weekend's action.
Recruiting:
Future Runner - BGN
West Virginia picked up its second commitment in as many days when Miramar High School's Alex Anderson committed to the Mountaineer Class of 2015.
Around the League (and Beyond):
2013-2014 Baylor Football Advanced Stats Recap - Our Daily Bears
Hoiberg leaves lofty praise of Cyclones for others - The Gazette
Notebook: Embiid dons goggles after eye injury - Lawrence Journal World
Physical, mental toughness keys K-State turnaround - Topeka Capital Journal
Former Texas Tech QB Baker Mayfield's appeal set, wants to play at OU - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Doc Brown is in the video, BTW
Another look at Marcus Smart's stat line - Oklahoman (autoplay)
How will Charlie Strong fill his staff at Texas? - Burnt Orange Nation
TCU quarterback Casey Pachall ready to face tough questions at Medal of Honor Bowl – Post and Courier
Under Armour's Contract with Texas Tech and Other Under Armour Schools - Viva The Matadors
What's On Tap:
(11) Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
4 pm Saturday from the Oliver Garden/Huggstown on MSG+, MASN, Altitude & ESPN3
(9) Iowa State Cyclones vs. Oklahoma Sooners - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Noble Center on ESPNU/3
TCU Horned Frogs vs. (7) Baylor Bears - ESPN
1:30 pm Saturday from the Ferrell Center on MASN, Altitude & ESPN3
(25) Kansas State Wildcats vs. (18) Kansas Jayhawks - Preview - ESPN
2 pm Saturday from the Phog on ESPN/3
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Texas Longhorns - ESPN
8 pm Saturday from the Erwin SEC on LHN
Video of Interest:
In this edition of the United Bank Playbook, coach Huggins talks with Tony Caridi about the road win over Texas Tech and previews this weekend's matchup with Oklahoma State
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a gorgeous Australian actress who can currently be seen in The Wolf of Wall Street. CLICK HERE for today's animated gif gallery of Margot Robbie.
More from The Smoking Musket
Follow @SmokingMusket Follow @SBNationCFB
West Virginia Mountaineers Men's Basketball: Jonathan Holton's Waiver Denied
2014 Smoking Musket Podcast - Texas Trip and OSU Review
The Smoking Musket Bowl Pick Em Gauntlet Results
Mountaineer Morning Links: Thursday (1/9/14) Edition
West Virginia Football: Six Early Enrollees & Two Players Not Returning According To Casazza