The Sun's Arizin: Jalen Brunson is already a leader at Villanova

Huuuuuuuuump Daaaaaaaay! We're halfway to this weekend's big game, and if you're anything like me you're having a hard time getting through the week. It feels extra long given the magnitude of Saturday's game. Some really good content down below, including plenty of commentary on the value of the 3-point shot as it pertains to Villanova.

Oh, and Inside Villanova Basketball is back tonight. We'll FanShot the videos as soon as they are available online but if you're in the Philadelphia area you definitely want to be getting these on your DVR.

And now, the "news."

Brunson Already A Leader At Villanova | Big East Conference
When Jalen Brunson arrived on the Main Line this season for his much-anticipated first year at Villanova, he hit campus with quite an array of basketball accomplishments.

New Season of Inside Villanova Basketball Begins Wednesday | Villanova.com
The new season of Inside Villanova Basketball with Jay Wright returns on Wednesday, Dec. 16, with the season premiere at 7 p.m. on CSN Philly.

Just Keep Shooting, Villanova | Big East Coast Bias
After (and even during) Monday’s massacre at the hands of Oklahoma many pundits from across the sports world were critical of the Wildcats for shooting too many three-point shots. They were wrong.

Things that predict future shooting percentage | KenPom.com
As a follow-up to the piece on Villanova last week, I thought it would be useful to look not just at what predicts team shooting percentage going forward, but how those inputs vary during the season.

Can the City 6 shake its early 3-point shooting woes? | City of Basketball Love
Across Philadelphia, fans and coaches alike have probably asked themselves the same question a few times so far this season: Why can’t my team shoot?

College basketball power rankings: Oklahoma rises, North Carolina tumbles | SBNation.com
After a 23-point thrashing of Villanova, Oklahoma is the biggest riser in this week's college hoops power rankings.

After years of dreaming, PC finally gets its new basketball facility | providencejournal.com
Game-changer. That was the slogan that hung over Providence College basketball coach Ed Cooley’s shoulder Tuesday as the college announced its intention to spend $30 million to build the Ruane Friar Development Center. There are components in the project that will help many athletes on campus, but the centerpiece is a long-awaited practice facility that PC basketball coaches have been calling for over the last 15 years.

Cincinnati's Fifth Third Arena Project Receives Board Approval | GoBearcats.com
Proposed improvements to the facility, built in 1989 and originally named the Myrl H. Shoemaker Center, include the creation of a 360-degree seating bowl, new HD scoreboard, ribbon boards, sound system, an LED lighting system which will allow for enhanced gameday presentation, new restroom and concession facilities, a new upper-level concourse with its own fan amenities, expanded food and beverage options and a new main entrance and plaza with centralized ticketing and guest services. The renovated arena also will feature upgraded locker room spaces, expanded premium seating options, including a courtside club, arena club and concourse club as well as enclosed suites, loge seating, a new Bearcats Lounge and super suites.

Professor discovers only known audio recording of James Naismith | The University of Kansas
The recording is located in the archives of the Library of Congress, and the university has received permission to include the recording in KU's archives at the Kenneth Spencer Research Library and to make it available to the public via a website link.

J.J. Redick Gives World’s Fastest Interview Because Last Clipper in the Locker Room Has to Dance | The Big Lead
New traditions.