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TGIF, 'Nova Nation! I'm off to Houston at 3pm today and can't wait to see and meet all of you down there! This is probably one of the last times I'll be on the site for the next few days, though I'll try to drop in here and there. If you follow me on Twitter, I'll try and do my best to post a few things.
Loads of links today to give you one last look at the Final Four from every angle. The piece I found most rewarding - Philly.com's look at how Wright went back to recruiting his kind of guys, and it's finally paid off with another trip to the final weekend.
And now, the "news."
It's all about the players for Villanova's Jay Wright | Philly.com
The words on the walls of Villanova's campus practice facility are nothing remarkable. Attitude. Defend. Rebound. Run. Execute.
Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono is ready to dominate the Final Four, subtly as ever | NCAA Basketball | Sporting News
ESPN college basketball reporter Andy Katz analyzes how tough it is to beat Villanova.
Villanova prepares to face 'Superman' for second time, learned from the loss | USA TODAY
The Wildcats saw Buddy Hield up close in December, and they know well what he can do.
The numbers you need to know for this Final Four | ESPN ($)
Here are some facts: Don't foul Villanova. They don't miss at the line. Marcus Paige's 3-point percentage? Something to be worried about if you're Syracuse. These eight numbers tell the story.
Final Four Previews: They can win the national title if … | CollegeBasketballTalk
The keys to winning for all four of the Final Four teams.
Power Rankings: Most interesting things to watch at the Final Four | SI.com
From Oklahoma's three-point revolution to Brice Johnson's 2-3 zone-breaking, the most interesting things to watch for in Houston.
Final Four preview: X-Factors for UNC, Syracuse, Oklahoma & Villanova | Campus Rush
From Jordan Woodard's turnover rate to Syracuse's rebounding, here are the X-Factors that will determin Saturday's national semifinals
Transfer Paschall forced to watch Villanova teammates from afar | Delco Times
Who wants to drive Eric Paschall to Houston and back?
Joe Biden attended Syracuse, Jill Biden attended Villanova, and they'll both attend the Final Four - SBNation.com
A HOUSE DIVIDED.
Shackleton keeps Villanova strong | Philly.com
Jay Wright remembers this guy helping out temporarily with Villanova's basketball players while Wright looked for a new strength and conditioning coach in 2012 and telling this guy,
Local authorities prepare for outcome of Villanova game | 6abc.com
Villanova players aren't the only ones getting their Final Four game plan in place. No matter the outcome of Saturday's matchup, local police will be ready should fans get rowdy.
The Man Who Loves Villanova | CoachGeorgeRaveling.com
The calls started coming in 2006 before Jay Wright signed his first $1 million contract at Villanova. He would hear about them from third parties like his agent or close friend and network analyst Bill Raftery, who would casually ask if he would be interested in talking to a bigger state school that could offer him a more lucrative salary and bigger budget.
Xavier G JP Macura charged w/ disorderly conduct | SNY
He pulled his pants down in a bar and he's 20. #KidsTheseDays
Put These Shameful Conference Commissioners Right In The Toilet | Deadspin
You would hope that if someone were to make an argument against paying college athletes in the year of our Lord 2016, that this someone would dig up with a few ideas that were at least slightly less mendacious, self-serving, and paternalistic than the ones that originally founded the amateurism scam. Big East commissioner Val Ackerman and Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott are here to say "Fuck you."