Mountaineer fans, I know that it has been a tough couple of weeks. Our once top five football team has gotten crushed in its last two games, and our Heisman-lock quarterback has faltered, but it will all be okay. Basketball starts in a week and a half.
The Roster
The Mountaineers bring back a lot of talent and experience, led by Deniz Kilicli. Kilicli, a Turkish player with a nice hook shot, will have to lead this team. Kilicli has been steadily improving even since he came to WVU. This year the team will revolve around him, and I think we will make the most of it. Last year, Kilicli averaged 10 points a game, and he was the third scoring option on the team. This year he will be the first option. Coach, Bob Huggins, recently stated that Kilicli is in the best basketball shape of his life. I am looking for big things out of the "Istan-Bull."
The Mountaineers also return three key members of their backcourt, Jabarie Hinds, Aaron Brown, and Gary Brown. All three players were freshman last year, and each had their own share of good and bad moments. This year all three players have gained experience, and should help lead this team, along with Kilicli. Check out some of Hinds's highlights from last year.
There are some other key role players returning, such as lock-down defender Keaton Miles, and big men Kevin Noreen and Dominique Rutledge. Also three men will get more playing time this year, and will get the opportunity to make key contributions. Rutledge could be a breakout player this year.
Rounding out the roster are role players and freshman. One player to watch in this group is freshman Terry Henderson. Henderson is an athletic guard with a good upside. Here's his highschool mixtape.
New Conference
WVU moved to the Big 12 Conference this year. This move was made for the football team. The Big East, WVU's old conference, was the best basketball conference in the country. Now WVU will play in a weaker conference, but they will still face stiff competition. One school that will be a major obstacle for WVU this year, and years to come, is Kansas. Kansas has one of the most storied histories in college basketball. They get some of the best recruits and they have an electric fanbase. They have dominated the Big 12 in years past and look to continue their domination. Baylor, Kansas State, Texas, and some other teams also have very solid basketball programs, but Kansas is at the top.
Season Expectations
This year is going to be hard for the Mountaineers. The Mountaineers lost their best player in Kevin Jones, and a dynamic scoring point guard in Darryl "Truck" Bryant. The majority of the team is underclassmen, and even though some of this underclassmen played last year, they will still make mistakes.
WVU got no love from the USA Today or Coaches Poll and didn't even receive a single vote from anyone to make it into the top 25. To put it into perspective, Marshall University even got one vote.
Even though the country doesn't believe in the Mountaineers, coach Bob Huggins does, and I believe in him. Huggins always seems to make something out of nothing. His teams always make the NCAA Tournament and preform well.
Last year was a let down, after a blowout loss to Gonzaga ended the Mountaineers season. This year the Mountaineers get to start the season off against Gonzaga, in a new conference, under new player leadership, but one thing remains the same, and it is that Bob Huggins is leading the team. Huggins will teach his players how to play the game the right way. Maybe WVU won't be so good this year, but in one or two years, this team could be formidable. Let's go Mountaineers!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The Lemonheads Are Back!
Finally, the Lemonheads albums are getting remastered. I can't wait to hear a remastered version of "It's a Shame About Ray," just listen to wait it sounds like already.
The Lemonheads formed in 1986, but really hit it big in 1992. that was when the band released the album It's a Shame About Ray. After that album the band slowly began to become less popular, but still put out great songs, like "Into Your Arms."
I have seen The Lemonheads twice, but really all I saw was their lead singer and songwritter, Evan Dando, preform. Don't get me wrong I love Evan Dando, but the band was at it best with some other members. One of these members is the lovely backup vocalist, Juliana Hatfield. Listen to the way her and Dando mesh on this song.
Juliana Hatfield has decided to preform with Dando and the band in their upcoming tour in 2013. Another important member that has decided to also preform with the band is Ben Deily. Deily played on the first couple records with the band. He wrote songs and played guitar, just like Dando, but his songs are much more punk.
With Deily and Hatfield back, The Lemonheads are going to be a must see band in 2013. The tour should appeal to multiple audiences, such as the more punk or poppy crowds. The band is also working on a new album produced by Ryan Adams, an established musician in his own right.
I can't wait until 2013. The Lemonhead's albums will be remastered, the band will go on tour with its most important members, and there will be a new Lemonhead's album! 2013 can't come quick enough.
The Lemonheads formed in 1986, but really hit it big in 1992. that was when the band released the album It's a Shame About Ray. After that album the band slowly began to become less popular, but still put out great songs, like "Into Your Arms."
I have seen The Lemonheads twice, but really all I saw was their lead singer and songwritter, Evan Dando, preform. Don't get me wrong I love Evan Dando, but the band was at it best with some other members. One of these members is the lovely backup vocalist, Juliana Hatfield. Listen to the way her and Dando mesh on this song.
Juliana Hatfield has decided to preform with Dando and the band in their upcoming tour in 2013. Another important member that has decided to also preform with the band is Ben Deily. Deily played on the first couple records with the band. He wrote songs and played guitar, just like Dando, but his songs are much more punk.
With Deily and Hatfield back, The Lemonheads are going to be a must see band in 2013. The tour should appeal to multiple audiences, such as the more punk or poppy crowds. The band is also working on a new album produced by Ryan Adams, an established musician in his own right.
I can't wait until 2013. The Lemonhead's albums will be remastered, the band will go on tour with its most important members, and there will be a new Lemonhead's album! 2013 can't come quick enough.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
JD Woods, The Forgotten Wide Receiver
This has been one of the greatest starts in West Virginia University football history. The team has one of the most explosive offenses in the country, a top five ranking, a win at Texas in front of the largest crowd ever assembled at Darrell K Royal Stadium, two flashy receivers in Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, and the Heisman frontrunner Geno Smith. West Virginia fans can't ask for much more. Hopefully over the upcoming weeks the wins keep piling up, and come January the Mountaineers will be playing in the National Championship game. If this is going to happen, then the Mountaineers are going to need steady production by their unknown receiver, who probably has the best hands of all of the WVU wide outs, senior JD Woods.
JD Woods is a senior from Naples, Florida. He played football for Golden Gate High School. Woods was only a two-star recruit when he signed with West Virginia. He has been overshadowed throughout his time at West Virginia, but now it's time for Woods to leave his mark on WVU.
West Virginia has two of the most talked about wide receivers in the country in the explosive Tavon Austin, and the touchdown producing machine Stedman Bailey. The Mountaineers also have the nation's top quarterback in Geno Smith. Woods is the third string wide receiver on the team. His stats so far this year aren't overwhelming, but are still positive nonetheless. According to ESPN, Woods has 29 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns. He had a career game two weeks ago against Baylor when he had 13 catches for 114 yards. Wood's numbers aren't going to be great this year because he is the third option for Geno Smith, but he will still impact the game.
Woods has the best hands on the team. Just look at this catch against Baylor.
Woods is going to make his touches count. The catch above saved the game for West Virginia, as they were able to keep their drive alive and run out the clock. Geno Smith constantly looks for Woods on third down and long plays, and Woods usually delivers. This is a trend that must continue.
Last week versus Texas Woods played a little flat. He dropped a couple passes, and struggled to get open all night. This is bound to happen to a player who rarely got playing time until this season and has to play in an atmosphere like Darrell K Royal Stadium. There aren't any worries in my mind about whether Woods will bounce back from that rough outing. He has a monstrous quarterback, who when given time gives his receivers many opportunities to catch the ball. I am looking for Woods to have an amazing game next Saturday against the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.
The Mountaineers have a chance to make something special out of this season, and their stars players will be the ones' who get all the attention, but let's not forget about JD Woods and his hands that can catch anything. When it comes down to third and long and Geno Smith drops back to pass, Woods could easily find himself open across the middle of the field ready for that first down catch. This man has waited four years to get his chance, and he surely won't blow it.
JD Woods is a senior from Naples, Florida. He played football for Golden Gate High School. Woods was only a two-star recruit when he signed with West Virginia. He has been overshadowed throughout his time at West Virginia, but now it's time for Woods to leave his mark on WVU.
West Virginia has two of the most talked about wide receivers in the country in the explosive Tavon Austin, and the touchdown producing machine Stedman Bailey. The Mountaineers also have the nation's top quarterback in Geno Smith. Woods is the third string wide receiver on the team. His stats so far this year aren't overwhelming, but are still positive nonetheless. According to ESPN, Woods has 29 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns. He had a career game two weeks ago against Baylor when he had 13 catches for 114 yards. Wood's numbers aren't going to be great this year because he is the third option for Geno Smith, but he will still impact the game.
Woods has the best hands on the team. Just look at this catch against Baylor.
Woods is going to make his touches count. The catch above saved the game for West Virginia, as they were able to keep their drive alive and run out the clock. Geno Smith constantly looks for Woods on third down and long plays, and Woods usually delivers. This is a trend that must continue.
Last week versus Texas Woods played a little flat. He dropped a couple passes, and struggled to get open all night. This is bound to happen to a player who rarely got playing time until this season and has to play in an atmosphere like Darrell K Royal Stadium. There aren't any worries in my mind about whether Woods will bounce back from that rough outing. He has a monstrous quarterback, who when given time gives his receivers many opportunities to catch the ball. I am looking for Woods to have an amazing game next Saturday against the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.
The Mountaineers have a chance to make something special out of this season, and their stars players will be the ones' who get all the attention, but let's not forget about JD Woods and his hands that can catch anything. When it comes down to third and long and Geno Smith drops back to pass, Woods could easily find himself open across the middle of the field ready for that first down catch. This man has waited four years to get his chance, and he surely won't blow it.
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