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One day closer to Friday... The Big East is trying to set up some more big games for Villanova and her conference kin, some pretty big time recruits are visiting the Main Line this week, and Jay Wright is likely to be in the top-19 coaches in ESPN's hoops rankings. Now that we've all shaken off that case of the Mondays, things are looking up.
Villanova also has a snazzy video out (h/t @GergK) showcasing their planned facilities projects. The 'Cats are already fixing up the soccer complex just in time for the world cup, and there are plans for some great new facilities for football and rowing as well. That Pavilion renovation, however, is sure to be controversial.
Now for the 'news':
Orange Watch: 40 years of covering Syracuse athletics comes full circle | The Juice Online
"One thought we can guarantee you; that a Syracuse-Villanova football game played in deteriorating Archbold Stadium some 40 years ago would be broadcast live on TV anywhere would have been considered preposterous in the days of a scant few weekly ABC regional and national game of the week telecasts."
Four Wildcats Head to NCAA Championships in Oregon This Week | Villanova Official Athletic Site
A total of four Wildcats qualified for the NCAA National Championship track meet with their results at the NCAA East Preliminary in Jacksonville a week ago. Senior Samuel Ellison (Dresher, Pa.) is a national qualifier in the 800 meters of the third straight year, while three other Villanova athletes are making their first career appearances at the national outdoor meet. Junior Elbert Maxwell (Dresher, Pa.) competes in the long jump, while sophomore Jordy Williamsz (Melbourne, Australia) and freshman Patrick Tiernan (Toowoomba, Australia) will run in the 1500 meters and the 5000 meters, respectively.
Paul VI guard Raven James commits to Villanova | Washington Post
The Paul VI (VA) star guard will join the Villanova women's team in the Class of 2016. She is considered one of the purest outside shooters in the DMV area.
In the FCS Huddle: Must-see FCS matchups | FOX 29
Villanova's home game against Fordham comes in third among the top-5 non-conference FCS games in the 2014 season, according to the Sports Network. The 'Cat's home tilt with Towson and season-ending trip to Delaware also earned a mention.
Talking With Terps Target Trevon Duval | Terrapin Station
Trevon Duval is a 2017 guard out of St. Benedict's prep in New Jersey (though he hails from Delaware). He reportedly has an offer from Villanova already.
C-USA got nearly $40M in membership dues in realignment era | CBS Sports
C-USA lost seven schools in conference realignment, but the shuffling added up to around $40 MILLION in fees paid to the league office.
USC AD Pat Haden compares Pay-for-play to a Rubik’s cube | CollegeFootballTalk
How complicated is the whole idea of paying players to play college football? That all depends on whom you are asking. If you happen to ask USC Athletics Director Pat Haden about it, he will compare it to one of the most classic puzzles of all time.
Indiana girl signs to play college football at NAIA school | IndyStar.com
Osborne will become college football's first female defensive back. Will a woman ever play NCAA Division I football at a position other than Kicker?
Seattle student credited with stopping campus gunman has wedding registry, honeymoon paid by strangers | Fox News
The Seattle Pacific University student who witnesses say tackled a campus gunman during a deadly shooting Thursday reportedly has had his wedding registry and honeymoon paid for by strangers after accounts of his heroics spread on Twitter. Not too bad.
Donald Sterling Says No Deal; Suit Is On | ABC News
Donald Sterling changed his mind about selling to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer yesterday. He has instructed his attorney to proceed with a $1 billion lawsuit against the NBA for voting him out of ownership over recorded racist comments made to his former assistant.
The Venn Diagram Of World Cup Hopes | Deadspin
Project Babb, the Telegraph's World Cup microsite, has created this handy Venn diagram sorting the 32 sides by their chances of succeeding in Brazil. It's hard to argue with most of the placements, but--as usual--the real fun is in the overlaps. Team USA is certainly in an interesting overlap, though if you trust Jurgen Klinsmann, you know they have no hope.
... and on that note: Join the VU Hoops World Cup Pick'em contest, which is sure to become a point of tremendous angst for Mike, Chris and myself.