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

What might WVU look/play like next season?

This goes against just about everything I tend to believe in — I won’t even draft a depth chart for football and we’re in spring practice — but let’s take a look ahead to the 2010-11 basketball season.

You know the Mountaineers are going to play a tremendously competitive non-conference schedule. The Big East will lose a lot of stars to graduation and the draft, but still be formidable. How WVU negotiates the way to the postseason and 20 or so wins is actually pretty interesting.

Consider two opposing views, neither of which is wrong, but when put side by side illustrate the unknown and develop a neat little discussion.

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Despite a rather ominous issue looming directly over the football program Tuesday, it was a rather normal day in the life of the Mountaineers. Yes, the NCAA was in town to talk to people about the Rich Rodriguez Days, but that was weeks ago and hardly important Tuesday. It matters, sure, but not as much as it did right win and soon after the interview occurred.

To that, WVU feels pretty good, pretty isolated. The school is a supplement to an investigation, not the subject. Having said that, there is reason to be concerned.

When the NCAA knocks on your door, it’s looking for something specific — and in this case, when it’s going back in a person’s career, it’s amplified — and it gets to look at everything.

I get that WVU compliance was something of a babysitter at early Rodriguez practices and I understand they did everything in their power to be legal and to adhere to rules. I’m confident it’s correct.

Yet WVU can say that all you want. People can remind you that they told you that all they want. The NCAA doesn’t read newspapers.

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Survey says …

Yesterday’s Rich Rodriguez news was what we thought it was. WVU isn’t being investigated. A better “i” word would be involved or incorporated with the pre-existing NCAA investigation of Michigan football and Coach Rich Rodriguez.

The new UM athletic director — a former Wolverines QB/DE, a Bo guy, a man who didn’t hire Rodriguez — still supports his football coach, though there’s some interesting language in Rodriguez’s contract.

But, hey, who really cares about contracts?

WVU confirmed today it has been interviewed by the NCAA about an undisclosed matter.

The NCAA has met with individuals involved with the West Virginia University football program to identify any potential rules violations.
 
The University has fully cooperated with the NCAA during this process.
 
West Virginia University and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to operating its athletic program in conformance with the legislation and policy of the NCAA and the BIG EAST conference.
 
No additional comments will be made regarding the matter at this time.

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Or not.

#fact I’m better off going back to baseball than playing WR
about 21 hours ago via Twitterrific

How about a Twitraction? An hour later No. 5 covered his tracks.

Lol I guess I need to clear things up… No no no no to all the questions It was just what I was feeling at the time so I said it.
about 20 hours ago via Twitterrific

Twitterrific, indeed. Speaking of …

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Deon Long waves goodbye

This doesn’t sound like homesickness. Described as “feeling out of place socially,” Deon Long has been granted a release from his WVU football scholarship. Well, a conditional release, which is usually the case when the split gets a little contentious.

Long isn’t allowed to transfer to Maryland … or Texas Tech. WVU is set to resume a series with the Terrapins and Long would likely be eligible during a future game. As for Texas Tech, well, it hired Long’s prep school coach as an assistant.

Long will reportedly appeal the conditions and also consider Virginia, Virginia Tech and right-around-the-corner Arizona and New Mexico.

Alex Ruoff learns to like Belgian waffles

ruoff

It’s been a gradual process and after considering leaving professional basketball to return home, WVU’s career leader in 3-point baskets has settled in and elevated for Belgacom Liege Basket.

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Ebanks evacuates

The official release from WVU makes no mention of hiring an agent, but that’s probably just a matter of time. The statements from Ebanks and Huggins sound rather definite.

The most notable and least mentioned note to Eddie Davis’ move from cornerback to wide receiver was that Davis entered the spring as the backup to Keith Tandy at one cornerback spot and one of just eight players — six on scholarship — at the  position.

The Mountaineers are so thin at wideout they have to take — and maybe the better word is “borrow” — from a position with two players who have any meaningful playing time, one who played sparingly and two who’ve never played.

Yikes.

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Today is April 12

If I understand the rule correctly, if a player declares for the NBA Draft on or before this date, his school faces no APR penalty should he choose to remain in the draft. Just saying…