Sports update 12/23/11

Just a couple of notes without a ton of links and all the writing...

Congrats to coach Bob Huggins on career win #700 last night vs Missouri State! My dad and I went to Buffalo 4 years ago to see Huggs get #600 vs Canisius. Funny that he got #700 exactly 4 years, to the day, after #600. Hopefully Huggs keeps up that pace over the next 4 (and then 8 and so on) years so he gets above 800...then 900, etc. As for the game...that game was too close for comfort (and then some) but I'll take a win over a loss, anytime, no matter how you get it. In case you missed it, WVU won 70-68 in OT. Tough game to watch so you didn't miss much - although the last 3 seconds of regulation (where WVU made a late three pointer to tie the game) and OT were mildly enjoyable. A win is a win. WVU moves to 9-2 on the season.


WVU returns to action tonight against the #6 (or 7) rated Baylor Bears (9pm ESPN, I believe). Baylor is long and big. Not a great match-up for WVU. We'll need a HUGE effort to pull this one off.


ESPN Insider is reporting that junior college offensive lineman Tavon Rooks has chosen Kansas State over WVU. Best of luck to him. WVU will have to put the full court press on now to get the best of whoever else is still out there. I try not to get too upset when kids don't pick WVU because someone else gets their spot and the kids that do come to WVU obviously want to be at WVU so it works out. Pitt commit offensive lineman Adam Pankey is visiting in January (13th) along with junior college o-lineman Mark Glowinski. Plus I'm sure there are some "sleeper" linemen (Sonny/Sunny Odogwu, for example) that may get a look now. We'll see.


WVU transfer basketball player, Aaric Murray was arrested Thursday morning in Philadelphia (he's a native of Philly) for possession of marijuana. As of the time the stories published he was being held on bail. Huggins was in Las Vegas (obviously) and said he's aware of the situation and that it will be handled internally. We'll see what happens here but Murray, as of late, had not been sitting at the end of the WVU bench for home games - sparking speculation that he was in the doghouse. If true that he already was in the doghouse I can't imagine this helps much. Even still, I'd be shocked if this gets him kicked off the team - given that he is currently sitting out and has ridiculous potential. You hope for his sake he can straighten up because his potential has him on NBA radars. We'll see...


Safety Terence Garvin and others out for Orange Bowl. Garvin (knee surgery - out around 6 months or so) is the "biggest" loss here, obviously, as he's the Mountaineer's third leading tackler - and WVU's defense already had enough problems with him there. Others out are two seniors, wide receiver Brad Starks (knee surgery - poor kid...never could stay healthy), defensive lineman Josh Taylor (knee injury - Pitt game) and freshman running back Vernard Roberts (academics).


There's a lot more national news but I'm done typing. Merry Christmas to you all!!


Let's Go Mountaineers!!