The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Pretty good player to miss three games

April 16, 2016 by Mike Casazza

 

Well, now we have a length for Josh Lambert’s suspension. The rising senior, who in 2014 was a finalist for the Groza Award and was already suspended for spring football, was found to be in violation of the Big 12’s eligibility rules and will miss the first three games of the 2016 season.

A source said Lambert’s punishment dealt with the use of a banned substance. The initial penalty was to be for significantly longer, but the Mountaineers appealed, and the ban was reduced, a source said.

Friday Feedback

April 15, 2016 by Mike Casazza

Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which asks you for just a little more patience. I think things are working and looking better, and I think with a little more time this will all work and feel better. Meantime, keep the comments coming and I’ll keep packaging them and sending them forward. The mobile reader has to work better, but I’m encouraged by some other progress, so there’s still hope it doesn’t drive all of you away.

Before we proceed, a programming note: No F Double next week. I’ll be traveling and on the way to The Greenbrier, site of the spring game a day later. I don’t anticipate anything on here during the game. The media seating is in the stands, and we have to keep our own stats, so I suspect we won’t have WiFi.

Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, be honest.

Mack said:

If this drone is like others I’ve seen, there’s no way the one fully charges in 15-20 minutes while the other one is being used.

Mack: Drone expert. Of course. But, no, I doubt it’s continuous. I’d say they get 30 or so minutes max at a time.

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So weird

April 14, 2016 by Mike Casazza

It’s going to be far less literal the next time a coach says something about a player running downhill. But WVU’s last four coaches — that’s each to coach on the field — wanted the crown gone, and now it is. The marching band will be pleased, as well.

‘I like putting that fear in people.’

by Mike Casazza

When Jared Barber got hurt in the opener last season and missed the following week’s game against Liberty, we weren’t sure who’s start in his place. Maybe Nick Kwiatkoski would slide back over to the middle, where he started every game the year before, and then Xavier Preston would start in Kwiatkoski’s place.

Or maybe Kwiatkoski would stay put and the depth chart would do it’s job by elevating Al-Rasheed Benton to starter.

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Big 12 coaching ranks thinned a bit

by Mike Casazza

I did not see that one coming, but that feels like an upgrade for Memphis. It’s a charmed life, almost. The Tigers didn’t especially like Josh Pastner, but they were trapped by his horrendous contract. (Maybe the worse I’ve seen.) Rather than fire him, they waved goodbye as Pastner left for Georgia Tech. Now the Tigers welcome Tubby Smith, the winning if not deserving Big 12 coach of the year. He’ll win there.

Big loss for the Red Raiders, who have now lost a football coach who went 13-0 in the SEC and a basketball coach who won a national title in the SEC to the American. That says something, no? They really have to work hard to recruit in basketball, and they were beginning to see the unmistakable effects of Smith’s experience and reputation. They’ve got a very nice roster, but figure they all won’t stay, and something resembling a rebuild begins with whoever follows Smith.

But, hey, the Big 12, which got a lot more difficult, if not now than in the near future, with some March hirings, probably just got a little easier.

Two sort of big Saturdays left

April 13, 2016 by Mike Casazza

 

Certainly the spring game will be a big deal for the football program, but remember this, if only because everything is about recruiting. Spring games are oftentimes important occasions for recruits. Spring practices are popular, and WVU has played host to some nice names so far, but the spring game is a chance for a team to show off by adding some pageantry. Kids commit at, after and because of spring games quite frequently.

The Mountaineers have some problems with that this year, where and when chief among them.

Allow Chris Anderson to explain.

Absolutely, it’s a detriment to recruiting. First, the location is an issue. Morgantown may not be loaded with high school talent, but it’s within a couple hours drive of several areas that are (Maryland, Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio). White Sulphur Springs is nowhere near any sort of recruiting hotbed for WVU.

Also, not only will recruits who do make the trip not be able to see the campus or facilities like they would in Morgantown, their contact with the coaches will be limited – and maybe even non-existent. It’s a quiet period in recruiting and, per the NCAA, that means no “off-campus” contact between coaches and recruits. If the game were in Morgantown, the coaches could interact with recruits as much as they want. At The Greenbrier, they can do nothing but say “hello,” if that.

Yodny explains his plight

by Mike Casazza

Turns out the Yodny Cajuste high school film is pretty fun to watch. It’s not exotic, but you see what others saw: He was safe and sound in high school, and all of his physical attributes project positively to the next level.

And here he is now, on the next level, trying to lift his game to new heights.

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He could be a good one, but at least he is one

by Mike Casazza

Now that West Virginia has Will Grier, who is somewhere among the top quarterback prospects to ever choose the Mountaineers, take a moment to review and then consider how difficult it is to get an elite signal caller. WVU and Grier took an unusual route to come together, but building a roster and stockpiling players is sometimes like a golf scramble: It’s not how; it’s how many.

This snapshot of the 2017 class is a pretty general review of any and every year. It’s like securing a date for prom. Schools must properly assess a prospect’s interest, and prospects must not wait too long for offers that never come.

Construction update is entirely encouraging

April 12, 2016 by Mike Casazza

West Virginia has to be feeling pretty good about the way construction is going, April snow notwithstanding. The institution that’s been snake-bitten by projects in the past is out in front of some feel-good, looking-good progress at the football stadium.

Cue the athletic director in his latest letter from his desk, which includes blurbs on the Coliseum projects and other endeavors and achievements.

Construction work on the East and North concourses at Milan Puskar Stadium continues with everything on target for Mountaineer football’s season-opening game against Missouri on Saturday, September 3. I am confident the improvements we are making will significantly enhance your experience at home football games, and I can’t wait until the entire project is completed in 2017.

Tony Gibson: Entertainer

by Mike Casazza

West Virginia’s defensive coordinator decided to build a house upon his return to campus, and I’ve heard it’s pretty sweet with some cool features — like that fire pit and these accoutrements — here and there and everywhere. This is where he’ll get to know his new coaches sooner rather than later, and he has some getting-to-know-you to do with Blue Adams and, to a lesser extent, Matt Caponi.

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