The final college basketball recruiting Live Period is underway

Happy Thursday, 'Nova Nation! As of last night, the final live period is officially underway. This will be the last time that coaches have the chance to evaluate prospects and finalize their priorities until the high school season. That's a big deal.

We know Jay Wright and Baker Dunleavy are in Las Vegas - where a ton of AAU action is taking place - after their week with USA Basketball. Kyle Neptune is there recruiting as well. Safe to say that Ashley Howard is on the road as well. After this weekend, look for the staff to focus on getting visits from their top prospects.

And now, the "news."

The final weekend of college basketball recruiting live period is here. Here's the latest buzz | SBNation.com
One Shining Podcast takes you through the latest rumors on the college basketball recruiting trail.

AAU basketball tournaments take over Las Vegas this week | Las Vegas Review-Journal
This week, beginning Wednesday, there will be plenty of more basketball around the Valley, when top AAU travel teams visit Las Vegas to compete in gyms around Southern Nevada.

2016 Gildan Charleston Classic Primer: Villanova Favored To Claim Another Title | Blogging the Bracket
Might another trophy be in the National Champs' future?

Xavier player Myles Davis' ex-girlfriend gets protective order | Cincinnati Enquirer
Judge issued order after Myles Davis was accused of making threats and punching his ex-girlfriend's walls and windows.

After Duke-UNC and Kentucky-Louisville, what's the best rivalry in college basketball? | SBNation.com
The top two showcase series in college basketball are unquestioned, but when you get to No. 3, everyone seems to have a different opinion.

Ranking 8 candidates for Big 12 expansion by what the conference says it wants | SBNation.com
The Big 12 laid out its checklist for new members, so here's how the candidates accordingly stack up.

Ex-Southern Miss coach's attorney says NCAA missed chance to answer appeal | CBSSports.com
If true, that is quite the blunder by the NCAA.

NCAA investigating USF Hoops for possible academic fraud issues | ESPN
Sources tell ESPN's Jeff Goodman that the South Florida men's basketball program is under NCAA investigation for possible academic fraud issues.

Mystery man speaks: Michael Brooks on his career, health, and hometown
At exactly 8:35 p.m. local time Monday in Etoy, Switzerland, Michael Brooks picked up the phone and - who can say the last time he did this? - dialed a Philadelphia number.