Rodriguez Cranks Up Pressure in Fall Camp
Quarterback Battle Wide Open as Fall Camp Gets Rolling
Rich Rod’s First Fall Camp Back Starts Today
West By Pod: Rich Rod Rewatchables | 13-9
Jahiem White lands on Maxwell Award Watch List
Best Virginia keeps dancing in Charleston, Alek Manoah’s working his way back to the bigs, and WVU’s star running back is getting some early love. Good morning — this is the Shotgun/Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup.
Welcome to The Shotgun/Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup (that we didn’t already talk about in another article) with some sophomoric humor and daily distractions thrown in for good measure. And if there’s something we missed, be sure to talk about it in the comments.
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Jahiem White Named to Maxwell Award Watch List
Junior running back Jahiem White was one of just four Big 12 running backs named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list on Monday.
White is coming off a breakout sophomore season where he nearly doubled his rushing touchdown total and more than tripled his receiving production. His 7.72 yards per carry as a freshman remains a program record. Now entering his third season, White is expected to lead WVU’s backfield under Rich Rodriguez. He’s rushed for 1,687 yards and 11 scores on 258 carries so far in his career.
Best Virginia heads to the TBT final four
Best Virginia turned up the pressure and never looked back in a 74–61 win over Shell Shock, locking up a spot in the TBT semifinal for the first time. James Reese stayed hot with 24 points — his fourth straight 20+ point game — and the defense set the tone early, holding Shell Shock scoreless for the first five minutes. They’ll be back on the Civic Center floor Thursday night against Eberlein Drive with a shot at the $1 million game on the line. Tickets for the game, which tips at 6PM, are available through Ticketmaster.
And if you want to hear more about the game, Josh was there and recaps it all on the latest episode of Unreasonable Doubt.
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Mountaineer Roundup
- WVU women’s hoops is reloading after the departures of JJ Quinerly and Kyah Watson. Mark Kellogg says this might be his deepest team yet, with portal additions like Sydney Shaw, Kierra Wheeler, and Carter McCray expected to make an immediate impact.
- WVU Volleyball’s 2025 promo schedule is out, featuring highlights like the Halloween “Spiketacular” on Oct. 30 with costumes and candy for kids, and a Gold Rush matchup with Kansas on Nov. 1. Season tickets are on sale now for all 12 regular-season home matches.
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- Ryan Bergert is expected to start for the Padres today against the Mets, giving Yu Darvish an extra day of rest. The former WVU standout has impressed in 10 MLB outings this season with a 2.84 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
- Alek Manoah is inching closer to a return, tossing a 45-pitch sim game over the weekend and hitting 95 on the gun. The former WVU star is scheduled for another rehab outing with Single-A Dunedin later this week as he works his way back from elbow surgery.
- Victor Scott II joined Cardinals teammates Matthew Liberatore and Thomas Saggese — along with broadcaster Chip Caray — to coach at this year’s Rainbows for Kids All-Star Game. The event supports St. Louis-area children with cancer and is a longtime community tradition.
- Orioles reliever Kade Strowd made headlines Monday for all the wrong reasons, when a 96-mph fastball struck George Springer in the head during the ninth inning in Baltimore. Springer was down for over a minute before walking off under his own power. Thankfully, he was alert and communicating with medical staff immediately, and further evaluation was underway postgame.
- Steelers Depot questions whether Beanie Bishop Jr. can carve out a role in Pittsburgh’s deep secondary. With Jalen Ramsey and Chuck Clark joining the mix, Bishop’s best shot could come on special teams — where he logged 175 snaps last year.
- Miles McBride says he’s excited for a fresh start under new Knicks head coach Mike Brown. The former WVU guard had a rocky start under Tom Thibodeau but eventually earned his trust off the bench. Now he’s hoping to build on that momentum heading into a contract year.
- Jesse Edwards made the most of his Summer League run with the Timberwolves, capping things off with an 18-point, 8-rebound, 4-block performance in the finale against Houston. The former WVU big man averaged 6.8 points and 1.4 blocks over five games — a solid showing as he fights for a roster spot behind Rudy Gobert.
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- After months of speculation, Deion Sanders revealed he recently underwent surgery to remove his bladder after doctors found a cancerous tumor. The procedure was successful, and Coach Prime has since been declared cancer-free. Sanders said the tumor was discovered during a routine vascular exam due to his history with blood clots. He lost roughly 25 pounds during recovery and has undergone a lifestyle adjustment following the surgery — but he’s been medically cleared to coach this season.
- Marshall has a new AD. Gerald Harrison, who spent the last seven years at Austin Peay, will replace Christian Spears after his contract wasn’t renewed. Harrison oversaw 13 championships and a conference move at APSU, and previously held roles at Duke and Tennessee.
- A gunman who killed four people at a Manhattan office building Monday was reportedly trying to target NFL headquarters but entered the wrong elevator. A league employee was injured, and the shooter left behind a note blaming the NFL for his alleged CTE.
- Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg passed away Monday at age 65 after a long battle with cancer. The Hall of Famer was one of MLB’s best second basemen and a beloved figure in Chicago, where his No. 23 is retired and his statue stands outside Wrigley Field.
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Spinal Tap is reuniting for one final concert in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, and the trailer is exactly as ridiculous as it should be. Rob Reiner’s back behind the camera, trying once again to document the world’s loudest, least functional band as they prep for one final concert (assuming their 12th drummer survives).
Have any tips, suggestions or requests for what you want to see in The Shotgun/Throwdown? Drop it in the comments or holler at us on social media.
We’ll be back for more tomorrow.
FOLLOW US
Twitter: @smokingmusket
Bluesky: @smokingmusket.bsky.social
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Unreasonable Doubt: Best Virginia is in the The Basketball Tournament Final Four!
What If... The Seasons That Could’ve Changed Everything (But Didn’t)
WVU Set to Open Fall Camp with Ticket Sales at 10-Year High
WVU kicks off fall camp this week, Best Virginia is three wins from $1 million, and former WVU stars are turning heads across the pros. Good morning — this is the Shotgun/Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup.
Welcome to The Shotgun/Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup (that we didn’t already talk about in another article) with some sophomoric humor and daily distractions thrown in for good measure. And if there’s something we missed, be sure to talk about it in the comments.
Camp Starts Wednesday
Preseason camp opens this week with ticket sales at their highest point since 2013. Rich Rodriguez isn’t tiptoeing around expectations — or the effort he saw out of last year’s team. “We did not play as hard as we can play. There is never an excuse for that.” he told John Antonik. Now? It’s about effort, toughness, and finishing what he started 17 years ago. Antonik’s full piece dives into the energy shift.
Best Virginia’s Back — and Three Wins from a $1 Million
Best Virginia takes the floor tonight at 6 p.m. on FS1 for a TBT quarterfinal matchup against Shell Shock. It’s their second-ever trip to the quarterfinals, and a win would keep them in Charleston for Thursday’s semifinal.
James Reese has led the team in scoring in all three games, with 11 made threes. JD Weatherspoon has been dominant in the paint, hitting 10 of 11 shots over the last two rounds. Tre Mitchell and Keddy Johnson have also scored in double figures every game so far, combining for 92 points across the first three rounds.
Shell Shock enters with three close wins and could get a boost if former Maryland guards Melo Trimble and Eric Ayala make their tournament debuts.
Mountaineer Roundup
- CBS Sports spotlighted some of the more unique perks in new college football coaching contracts — including golf club memberships and branded phrase royalties. Rich Rodriguez made the list.
- Ross Hodge broke down WVU’s completely overhauled roster — the fourth in four years — and explained why junior college experience might actually be an advantage in today’s transfer portal era.
- WVU women’s basketball opened summer workouts this week, with Mark Kellogg looking to replace JJ Quinerly’s production by committee. The Mountaineers return a deep roster, including Jordan Harrison at point and Texas Tech transfer Loghan Johnson, as they continue building a fast-paced, pressure-heavy identity.
- Planet Fitness is now the Official Fitness Center of WVU Athletics, thanks to a new multi-year partnership secured through Learfield.
- Bryson Thacker (1.88 ERA, .149 BAA) and Tucker DeLisle (33 K, 2.28 ERA) are standing out in the Appalachian League. With WVU rebuilding its rotation, both could factor in big next spring.
Javon Small might be draft steal for the Grizzlies
After hearing his name called in the second round of the NBA Draft, former WVU point guard Javon Small is already turning heads in Memphis. The 6-foot-1 floor general returned from a groin injury to average 17 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7 assists over his final two Summer League games. He’s still on a two-way deal, but the way he’s running Tuomas Iisalo’s offense already has fans wondering how long he’ll stay in the G League.
Miles McBride in line for larger role with Knicks under Mike Brown
New head coach Mike Brown is expected to lean more on his bench this season, and that could mean heavier minutes for McBride. SNY reports the former Mountaineer could share the floor often with new additions Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele after averaging 9.5 points and 37% from three last year.
- JJ Wetherholt is slashing .364/.432/.879 with four homers in his first nine Triple-A games as Cardinals fans wonder how soon he’ll get the call.
- Bryce Ford-Wheaton suffered a torn Achilles in Giants camp Sunday and is expected to miss the entire 2025 season.
- Doug Nester is battling for a spot with the Steelers after re-signing with the team this offseason. The former WVU lineman says reconnecting with fellow Mountaineers Zach Frazier and Beanie Bishop has made the transition to the NFL a little easier.
- Zach Frazier has had a few shaky snaps in Steelers camp, with Pittsburgh coaches downplaying early jitters but noting the need for quick improvement.
- Kyzir White visited the Lions this week as the former Cardinals captain looks for a new home in free agency.
- Rasul Douglas reportedly turned down multiple contract offers from the Dolphins this offseason. The former WVU star, who helped Buffalo go 3-0 against Miami during his time with the Bills, remains one of the top free-agent corners on the market.
- Former WVU All-American Darius Stills is starting his coaching career back home, joining Fairmont State as an assistant defensive line coach and recruiting analyst.
- Ryan Bergert is reportedly drawing trade interest ahead of the deadline with a 2.84 ERA in 10 outings.
- Kade Strowd is back in the bigs after Baltimore placed closer Felix Bautista on the IL. The former WVU righty has a 4.15 ERA in three MLB outings this season
- Former Mountaineer wideout Winston Wright Jr. signed with the Browns after going undrafted this spring.
- Erik Stevenson is emerging as the Heat’s next potential sharpshooting project, hitting 54.5% from deep in Summer League and drawing comparisons to past Miami success stories like Duncan Robinson.
- Kansas head coach Bill Self says he’s feeling strong and ready for the season after being hospitalized with chest tightness earlier this month. It’s his second health scare in the past year, but he says the Jayhawks are recharged and ready to roll.
- North Carolina Central coach Trei Oliver says a Virginia Tech assistant showed up on his sideline last season to recruit star running back J’Mari Taylor — who later transferred to Virginia. Oliver said his staff had to calm him down and called the move “pretty bold.” Virginia Tech says it’s reviewing the claim.
- Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing his Cabinet to develop a plan that would restrict college athletes from becoming employees or receiving pay-for-play deals. The order pushes for stricter limits on NIL deals, ties athletic scholarships to department revenue, and calls for federal oversight to protect non-revenue sports. Critics argue the move undercuts athlete rights just as schools prepare to pay players under the historic antitrust settlement.
- Hulk Hogan died. SB Nation’s James Dator argues he did more harm than good to the wrestling business.
For my fellow wrestling sickos — the WCW YouTube channel is marathoning every pay-per-view in company history. That means all-timers like Starrcade ‘89, absolute chaos like Halloween Havoc ‘95, and whatever the hell Greed 2001 was supposed to be. Want to watch Hulk Hogan get ambushed by a seven-foot mummy named The Yeti while Tony Schiavone desperately pretends it’s normal? Fire it up.
Have any tips, suggestions or requests for what you want to see in The Shotgun/Throwdown? Drop it in the comments or holler at us on social media.
We’ll be back for more tomorrow.
FOLLOW US
Twitter: @smokingmusket
Bluesky: @smokingmusket.bsky.social
Facebook: The Smoking Musket
Revenge on the Table as Best Virginia Meets Maryland Alumni in TBT
Kevin Jones Signs with Levanga Hokkaido for 2025–26 Japan B.League Season
A new look coming for The Smoking Musket in August
Our coverage remains the same but with a new look
In just a couple of weeks, The Smoking Musket is switching to a new platform as part of SB Nation’s network-wide move to a new publishing platform. This will change the look of the site and also make it faster and more reliable on any device you use. This is an upgrade.
When you land on the site, it will look cleaner – less clunky, with more white space, a better ad experience with faster load times – but will still have all the usual articles, analysis, and news by all the folks you know.
Community discussion and content created by you will be more prominent in the new design. The best comment threads will be easy to find, and staff and commenters alike will be able to start conversations whenever they like with a brand new tool.
We’re planning on an early August reveal, so we wanted to give you a heads up. You’ll hear more from us when it’s almost here. The site will look a little different, feel a little faster, and, most importantly, have a bigger role for you, the community.
So, stick around and check it out!
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Unreasonable Doubt: They’re Still Alive!
West By Pod: Rich Rod Rewatchables | 2006 Backyard Brawl
West By Pod: Rich Rod Rewatchables | 2006 Sugar Bowl
The guys rewind to the Mountaineers’ first BCS bowl appearance — a Sugar Bowl stunner that launched the White–Slaton–Schmitt era into the national spotlight. West Virginia blitzes Georgia with a 28–0 first-quarter haymaker in enemy territory, then guts out a nail-biting finish for a 38–35 win in Atlanta. It’s speed, swagger, and one perfectly-timed fake punt that changed the trajectory of WVU football.
Listen to this episode and more on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @smokingmusket and @West_By_Pod to stay updated on future episodes and exciting content.
If you’re interested in sponsoring West By Pod, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We appreciate your support!
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Twitter: @smokingmusket, Joel at @WVStatsGuy, and Jordan at @Gameday_Shorts
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JJ Quinerly Emerging as One of the Steals of the WNBA Draft
Unreasonable Doubt: Civic Center, Part Deux (TBT 2025 Preview)
West Virginia set to open camp with no clear answer at quarterback
Rich Rodriguez Set for First Big 12 Media Days as WVU Head Coach
JJ Wetherholt Hits Triple-A; Jahiem White Named Preseason All-Big 12
