Happy Thursday, 'Nova Nation! I've got a special treat for you this morning - our own Larry Flynn's VillanovaTV debut where he talks Villanova basketball! Great work Larry, and sorry about the face you're making in the pre-video screen below ;)
And now, the "news."
Titus’s Top 12 NCAA Rankings: Mock Selection Sunday Edition | Grantland
Last week, I wrote that Villanova is a serious national title contender, even if most of the country hasn’t realized it yet. With the Wildcats’ recent wins at Butler and at Providence — two NCAA tournament locks — now seems like a good time for America to come around. Villanova is playing as well as anyone in the country right now, and even though you probably aren’t hearing them mentioned as a potential 1-seed, the Wildcats are closer to the top of the bracket than you think.
BSN Interview: Villanova WR/RS Poppy Livers | Beyond Sports Network
The NFL is littered with players that were considered "too ____ to make it". In the case of Villanova WR/Return Specialist Lawrence "Poppy" Livers, it’s "too small". But Livers hasn't let size deter him from being an impact player in the FCS, and his speed is a proven commodity (ask the Syracuse special teams unit).
Johns Hopkins-Villanova Highlights | College Crosse
If you missed the game on Saturday, Villanova again looks like it has a high-octane offense, but the defense will need to be figured out. Also, Hopkins is pretty good.
Georgetown tifo of John Thompson celebrates 30th anniversary of ‘The Sweater Game’ | The Washington Post
Former Hoyas coach poked fun at Lou Carnesecca's lucky sweater before win at Madison Square Garden.
Source: Ex-Penn coach Bagnoli in talks with Columbia | Philly.com
Here's a move that would shake up Ivy League football: Columbia is in serious talks with Al Bagnoli to take over its football program. If it happens, the recently-retired former Penn football coach could call his friend Andy Talley to try and bring the Wildcats to Manhattan for a game.
Qatar World Cup will be played in the winter | SI.com
Multiple sources say it's a done deal that World Cup 2022 will take place in November and December of 2022 in Qatar. A FIFA task force will meet in Doha next week and make that recommendation, and the FIFA Executive Committee is set to make the decision final at its meeting in Zurich next month.