Villanova Basketball Recruiting hasn't suffered despite sneaker/agent influence

TGIF, 'Nova Nation! Not sure how many of you have been following the Candid Coaches series on CBS Sports, but it is one of my favorite summer series to track. Their latest piece deals with dirty recruiting, and how it impacts their program. I'm proud of us as a group for accepting that this stuff exists, but I do wonder how much it has really affect Jay Wright's ability to recruit to Villanova.

Villanova doesn't target the elite guys (very often), and so I'm thinking they avoid most of the recruiting battles where sneaker companies and agents are steering kids to schools. There's some smoke (and likely fire) to the Trevon Duval recruitment in that regard.

Then again, Jay has cleaned up with the Nike AAU programs. Not suggesting that there's anything untoward going on, but just that sometimes sneaker affiliations can help!

And now, the "news."

Candid Coaches: College basketball recruiting isn't getting any cleaner | CBSSports.com
Coaches say agents and shoe companies have the most influence over where elite prospects enroll.

Report: Big East is UConn's Plan B if Big 12 bid fails - Journal Inquirer
Citing "people familiar with the situation", Blaudschun reported UConn "does not want to return to the status quo" if the Big 12 doesn't invite the Huskies and suggested the Big East as a home for UConn's "non-football varsity sports".

Expect the heavyweights to dominate this season | NCAA.com
The 2016-17 college basketball season could present flashbacks to two years ago.

Paul White to Transfer from Georgetown | Casual Hoya
Skilled forward leaving the Hilltop after missing sophomore year with injury.

Villanova football players hope to send coach Andy Talley out 'on a great note' | CSN Philly
Villanova coach Andy Talley, who spent 32 years as the Wildcats' coach, will retire following the 2016 season.

Drexel ties Villanova in exhibition game on last second goal | Brotherly Game
Philadelphia Union Academy alumnus Connor Ryan delivered the late goal for the Dragons

New bobblehead honors championship Villanova basketball team | Philadelphia Business Journal
The team won the NCAA tournament this year with a buzzer-beater from Kris Jenkins.

2016 CAA Football Preview | STATS
There's a lot to like about all the returning talent at Villanova.

Villanova's Jarrett McClenton expected to be a receiver | The Philadelphia Tribune
When Jarrett McClenton was starring for Archbishop Wood, he was a big-time running back. McClenton was the leading rusher in the Catholic League in 2014 gaining 2,191 yards while scoring 37 touchdowns and leading the Vikings to the PIAA Class AAA championship.

This Olympic men's hoops quiz is no slam dunk | Philly.com
THINK YOU know Olympics' men's hoops? OK, Brazilian breath, here are 10 questions to separate those contendingDone for gold from those left out in the cold. - Ed Barkowitz, Philadelphia Daily News

Police say Ryan Lochte, swimmers lied about alleged robbery | USA TODAY
Ryan Lochte and three swimmers broke a bathroom door at a gas station, official says.

The consistent brilliance of Olympic decathlon champion Ashton Eaton is unmatched | SBNation.com
Eaton added a second gold medal to his already unmatched resume.