Welcome, By-Godders, to The Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU’s best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.

Basketball

Without Bolden, tall task looms against Iowa State | WV News

Esa Ahmad’s first point when West Virginia takes on No. 20 Iowa State at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Hilton Coliseum in Ames before the ESPNU cameras will be the 1,000th point of his career, making him the 53rd 1,000-point scorer in Mountaineer history. So much for the good news. Now for the bad news.

WVU basketball: Bolden out for Mountaineers visit to No. 20 Iowa State | Charleston Gazette-Mail

The West Virginia University men’s basketball team will be without one of its best players Wednesday night when the Mountaineers visit No. 20 Iowa State.

WVU Travels to Frigid Ames Minus Bolden | West Virginia University Athletics

West Virginia's annual trek to Ames, Iowa, has fallen under a similar pattern for the last four years – play the Big 12/SEC Showdown on the weekend and then three days later hop on an airplane and face Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum on a Wednesday night.

Baseball

Manoah Tabbed to Preseason All-America Team | West Virginia University Athletics

West Virginia University baseball junior right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah has been named to the Baseball America Preseason All-America Second Team, the publication announced today.

Around the NCAA

How rare it is to be a 5-star (or even a 2-, 3-, or 4-star) college football recruit | SBNation

Want to make college football’s big time? Or even the relatively big time? Good luck.

The last time Atlanta hosted the Super Bowl it was a weather disaster | SBNation

The NFL took nearly 20 years to forgive Atlanta for a freak weather pattern. This is the story of the legendary 2000 Atlanta Super Bowl ice storms — from the people who lived them.

Inside the Patriots’ Anime Fan Club | The Ringer

A close-knit group of players on New England’s defensive line share a unique bond over their love of series like ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and ‘Naruto’

Patriots fans are the worst. I should know, I am one | SBNation

We weren’t always like this. Now we revel in your disrespect — real or perceived.

There’s no reason for the Pelicans to trade Anthony Davis now. | SBNation

Despite his trade request, it behooves the Pelicans to stay patient and wait until a larger bidding war in the summer

The unwritten rules of being a baseball fan | SBNation

Are you an adult who wants to bring a mitt to a baseball game? Are you wondering if it’s OK to leave the ballpark early? Here are the definitive, binding answers to your very important questions about being a baseball fan.

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