Happy Thursday, 'Nova Nation! Do you want to know how badly I need Villanova basketball to start? My New York Giants are a comical 0-6 and just signed Peyton Hillis. My New York Rangers have brought in a French-Canadian offensive guru who has turned one of the stoutest defenses in the league into a unit allowing something like 9 goals a game. Oh, and I'm also a Mets fan.
I'm stoked about our football team, but I desperately need JayVaughn Pinkston to truck some poor mid-major guy stiff ASAP.
And now, the "news.
Can new Big East stick to lofty goals? | Phily.com
To be honest, nowhere in there do I see anybody list out any actual goals for the conference (except Val's desire to have the schools curate youth basketball outreach in their hometowns - which I love), but we do get several quotes from The Vince, which is always good material.
Former Villanova star Billy Melchionni recalls his glory days | Main Line Media News
I know I pick on the media a lot, but this is a fantastic profile by Lou Orlando. If you're into the older Villanova history and aren't familiar with Bill Melchionni, this will catch you up and give some great insight into Bill's life as a basketball player and executive.
2013-14 Season Preview: Big East Primer | City of Basketball Love
Honestly, the more and more I read about Marquette the more I think they might struggle. Relying on so freshman is a big risk - just look at Kentucky last season.
Syracuse Basketball Tickets: Duke Game Sells Out In An 'Instant' | Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
In case you were hoping to head upstate to see the 'Cats take on Syracuse in late December, it sounds like demand for Syracuse basketball tickets is going to be pretty high this season.
Kentucky F Willie Cauley-Stein is ready for the zombie apocalypse | SBNation.com
I've often thought about this. For instance, I initially thought I'd be dead to rights in my Manhattan walkup, when I realized I could just go to the roof and roofhop to survive. Zombies can't jump well from what I've seen. As for Villanova's campus, I think you'd want to stake out in Tolentine. I don't envision any zombies climbing those stairs well enough to effectively take you out.
The Greatest Scouting Report of All Time | Baseball Nation
Know how I know that SB Nation is kicking ass? We've got awesome writers like Rob Neyer (basically, the complete opposite of me) providing color to one of the best walkoff HRs in baseball history.