MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Oct. 30, 2024) – The West Virginia University wrestling team opens the 2024-25 campaign ranked No. 19 in the Preseason NWCA Division I Coaches Poll, the organization announced on Wednesday.



This marks West Virginia’s first appearance in the preseason poll since 2016 and fifth time overall – 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2016. It is also the second highest preseason ranking in program history, behind only a No. 10 ranking in 2005.



Additionally, six Mountaineers will begin the season ranked nationally by FloWrestling – No. 18 Jett Strickenberger (125), No. 15 Jordan Titus (141), No. 3 Ty Watters (149), No. 4 Peyton Hall (165), No. 23 Brody Conley (174) and No. 24 Dennis Robin (184).



Tickets to see WVU clash with No. 6 Iowa State (Jan. 8), No. 25 Pitt (Jan. 12), No. 14 Northern Iowa (Feb. 1) and No. 18 Arizona State (Feb. 23) inside the WVU Coliseum are available, as fans can purchase them by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVU-GAME, or stopping by the Mountaineer Ticket Office at the Gold Gate of the Coliseum.



The Mountaineers officially open their season for the third consecutive year at the Southeast Open on Nov. 2, inside the Cregger Center on the campus of Roanoke College. The event is set to begin at 9 a.m. ET and will be broadcast on FloWrestling.



For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Apparently someone bought up some ad space on the electronic billboards around Morgantown

... and therein lies the problem with Neal's offensive philosophy. Why shut it down up only 10 points, especially when you have a defense that can give up 14 points in 2 long pass plays? How many games have we lost after being up 10 points?

Dana used to say when you have them on the run, keep scoring as much as you can in the first half before they make hafltime adjustments.

My Fiver on WVU's victory over Arizona in the desert on Saturday night...

1. Nicco Marchiol vs. Garrett Greene. Nicco goes 18/22 for 198 yards, 2 TDs in getting the W. That's an 81% completion percentage. He had the highest PFF rating on the team. It was a fantastic game for Nicco in relief of the injured GG. Looking across GG's 7 starts this season, he only peaked over 60% in one game - 73.9% vs. Albany. Otherwise, you're looking at a 56% completion percentage on the season, with several backbreaking turnovers. On the plus side, Garrett is averaging almost 7 ypc, and has essentially been our offensive catalyst most of the time by breaking off big runs - much of the time on scrambles, not by design. Nicco's size alone gives him the ability to see the field much better than GG. And it was refreshing to see Nicco hit intermediate routes to convert 4th downs and 3rd downs, most notably a big time throw on 3rd & 9 to Hudson Clement on our final scoring drive. I truly appreciate GG's grit and desire to win. The kid came in and gave WVU a big time spark when our program was floundering with a geriatric JT Daniels behind center flailing about. He led WVU to a 9-4 season, and a bowl victory. But, I think it is time for a change. I'd like to see what Nicco gives us the rest of the way. The kid seems like he's a winner, and has some intangibles that can't be taught.

2. Justin Robinson looks like WVU is borrowing a WR from the Kansas City Chiefs or LA Rams on loaner until he can return to the League. On that first 3rd & 6 when Nicco hit him for 15 yards, it just looked so easy. He would only be targeted 2 more times the rest of the game, but one was a huge 8 yard catch and run on 4th & 3 on WVU's 1st possession of the 2nd half (leading to a touchdown). He seems like he could be a difference maker at WR.

3. Elephant in the Room. What in the hell were we doing with our coverage scheme? It's already been covered ad nauseum on this board, so I'm not going to get to deep into why we were going Tampa 2 and asking Trey Lathan to cover perhaps the best wideout in the conference(country?). McMillian ends up with 202 yards on 10 grabs, including an all too easy touchdown. But, we got the "W", so... But, goodness gracious, can we not just try to take him out of the game and see if they have any other viable options? Or was Neal Brown/Jordan Lesley trying to play 4D Chess - "They think we'll do that, so we're going to do something else to throw them off, you see?". I'm happy our run "D" is playing well, but our secondary and pass coverage are just so scary bad. And, even when the opposing QB throws the ball right into our DBs hands, we cough it up like it's scalding.

4. Thought the play calling in this one was a bit interesting. It's been mentioned on here - The Preston Fox end around to the left for no gain after Jaheim White picked up 55 on an end around to the right was...baffling. Our 8 play, 44 yard scoring drive to start the 2nd half was painful until CJ Donaldson broke through for a 20-yard TD on 4th & 2. The one that drove me nuts was our last drive before the end of the half. We're up 17-7, force a three and out, and get the ball back with under 2 minutes to go in our territory. We have seen WVU's offense run a 2 minute drill to perfection many times when we've been down and needed to score. Play with some purpose. Instead, we just kind of took our time, went with designed runs, and AZ saw this and started burning time outs. We ran two screens for a total of a yard and had to punt. That was a time to really put a foot on their throat, and we once again saw an offense playing without a killer instinct. No deep shots. No intermediate routes. Just chalk, burn clock, watch AZ burn time outs, punt.

5. 4-4, 3-2 on the season. First, I was very happy with the victory and it definitely made the weekend a bit brighter. Now, where do we go from here? Jordan Lesley is gone. OK. I don't know if that solves our defensive backfield woes, but we will see. Cincinnati, Baylor, UCF & Texas Tech are all up next, and they are all teams Neal Brown has defeated over the past couple of seasons. Obviously the fan base is ready to move on from Neal Brown, but is the University? Is Wren Baker ready to take the financial hit to move forward and invest in the future? As Brandt famously said to the Dude, "We just don't know Dude." Your guess is as good as mine, but I can tell you this -- if WVU wins all four of these games, finishes the regular season at 8-4, 7-2 in the Big 12, Neal Brown is our HC in 2025. Of that, I am certain.

Is that likely to occur? Using history as a barometer, probably not.

Wants NBA to "bring back fighting."

Ahhhh the good old days- Mahorn and Oakley..

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 30, 2024) – West Virginia University senior guard/forward Tucker DeVries has earned a place on the Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List, announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, DeVries was named to the Julius Erving Award Preseason Watch List, given annually to the top small forward in college basketball.

Last season at Drake, DeVries was the only NCAA Division I men’s basketball player to average at least 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He ranked ninth in NCAA Division I in scoring at 21.6 points per game.

2nd leg of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy this weekend. Army vs Air Force. Who you got?

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (October 30, 2024) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2025 Julius Erving Award and, in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2025 Cheryl Miller Award.



The annual Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 11th year by recognizing the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball.



The Cheryl Miller Award, in its eighth year, honors the top small forwards in women’s Division I women’s college basketball. It is named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer.




*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2024-25 season.



Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving, Miller, and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards are composed of top men’s and women’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.



The winner of the 2025 Erving and Miller Awards will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s and Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy and Nancy Lieberman Awards (Point Guard), Jerry West and Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards (Shooting Guard), Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards (Power Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lisa Leslie Awards (Center).



Previous winners of the Julius Erving Award are Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (2024), Jalen Wilson, Kansas (2023), Wendell Moore Jr., Duke (2022), Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (2021), Saddiq Bey, Villanova (2020), Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga (2019), Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016), and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).


Previous winners of the Cheryl Miller Award are Madison Booker, Texas (2024), Ashley Joens, Iowa State (2021-23), Satou Sabally, Oregon (2020), Bridget Carleton, Iowa State (2019), and Gabby Williams, Connecticut (2018).



For more information on the 2025 Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu, #ErvingAward, and #MillerAward on X and Instagram.



About the WBCA:

Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers, and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to those organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players, and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. For more information, visit us online: WBCA.org, follow @wbca1981 or call 1-770-279-8027.



About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 450 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com, follow @hoophallu, or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.

Sporting News

Saturday Blitz’s Peter Bartell believes a coaching return for Nick Saban in his home state of West Virginia is a possibility in 2025. Bartell doesn’t project Saban taking Neal Brown’s head coaching job, but instead a Mountaineers assistant job.

Saban is currently a special advisor on staff at the University of Alabama. He has an office at Bryant-Denny Stadium. But Bartell believes Saban could yearn for a return to the field after a year away.


“If indeed Saban wants to become even more involved, it could be in an on-field coaching role,” Bartell wrote. “With the coaching carousel ever-changing each year with assistants and head coaches, opportunities are always available at all levels in college football. And one program specifically has a strong chance of having some of those openings in 2025.

“Do not be surprised if Saban ends up coaching in some capacity for the West Virginia Mountaineers in 2025. While it may not be as head coach, an on-field assistant where he could have direct impact on the team may be something not totally off the table for him.”

Nick Saban grew up cheering on West Virginia in Backyard Brawl​

Saban has strong ties to the Mountaineer State as a Fairmount native. Saban grew up cheering on West Virginia against Pitt in the Backyard Brawl; admitting as much during the Week 3 edition of College GameDay.

"This is the biggest event of the year if you're from West Virginia. I grew up chanting 'Beat the Hell out of Pitt' and I'm not changing that today," Saban said. "This is a game that it was everything emotionally to everyone in the state. I mean, it was the pride of the Mountaineers and when you played Pitt you needed to win that game. Everybody was up here if you did and everybody was down here if you didn't."

Coming home would be the one thing that could potentially trump going back to Tuscaloosa for Saban. It’d take a strong offer and an aversion to returning to Alabama, though, and either at this point in Saban’s life sounds unlikely.

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Newark (N.J.) Shabazz 2026 athlete Zaiden McDonald has received an offer from West Virginia.

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College Football's Most Efficient TeamsOpponent-Adjusted EPA/Play through Week 9

I'm shocked to find WVU in the very 'average' range. @17-14

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (October 30, 2024) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2025 Julius Erving Award and, in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2025 Cheryl Miller Award.



The annual Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 11th year by recognizing the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball.



The Cheryl Miller Award, in its eighth year, honors the top small forwards in women’s Division I women’s college basketball. It is named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer.




*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2024-25 season.



Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving, Miller, and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards are composed of top men’s and women’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.



The winner of the 2025 Erving and Miller Awards will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s and Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy and Nancy Lieberman Awards (Point Guard), Jerry West and Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards (Shooting Guard), Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards (Power Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lisa Leslie Awards (Center).



Previous winners of the Julius Erving Award are Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (2024), Jalen Wilson, Kansas (2023), Wendell Moore Jr., Duke (2022), Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (2021), Saddiq Bey, Villanova (2020), Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga (2019), Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016), and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).


Previous winners of the Cheryl Miller Award are Madison Booker, Texas (2024), Ashley Joens, Iowa State (2021-23), Satou Sabally, Oregon (2020), Bridget Carleton, Iowa State (2019), and Gabby Williams, Connecticut (2018).



For more information on the 2025 Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu, #ErvingAward, and #MillerAward on X and Instagram.



About the WBCA:

Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers, and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to those organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players, and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. For more information, visit us online: WBCA.org, follow @wbca1981 or call 1-770-279-8027.



About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 450 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com, follow @hoophallu, or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.

Tampa 2 may not have been the best coverage, but it doesn't look like the touchdown passes over Lathan were his responsibility. A friend of mine told me they heard Dunlap say on the radio those TD passes were the safeties responsibility. After some study, and discussion with a defense expert I was watching the IU/Washington game with, I learned that the middle linebacker is only supposed to take a deeper drop and that the safety has the responsibility for deep routes. Apparently, by the linebacker taking the deeper drop it makes it easier for the safeties to make a play.

Of course, you would have to confirm with Leslie or Brown what coverage was called and who had responsibility for what.

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Duh.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/poli...ussian-intelligence/ar-BB1a86m6?ocid=msedgntp