Injuries, defense could spoil Villanova’s big season

TGIF, ‘Nova Nation! The Arizin is back with a backlog of links, so I apologize if these have been discussed, but I’ve mostly been out of pocket for the past couple of days. Hopefully The Liberal Art stepped in as his homemade contract stipulates.

Couple of stories lately discussing why Villanova - among other teams to be fair - might run out of steam this year. And I think that’s really the only thing that really worries me at this point. Injuries. Just get us healthy and in to March, please.

Defense is definitely something to continue to monitor, but I think the added minutes for the freshman over the next several games will pay dividends down the road until Eric Paschall and Phil Booth are back in the mix. They’re two of the best defenders on the team and it is fair to expect additional struggles without them.

Let’s get a W this Saturday, though.

And now, the “news.”

Villanova, UVA and Purdue are the best teams, but they are vulnerable | SI.com
Villanova, Virginia and Purdue are the top three teams in the most recent Top 25 poll, but that doesn't mean they will all coast to the Final Four.

The New Big East will never be the Old Big East, and that’s a good thing | NBC Sports
We should celebrate this league for what it is: One of the best in the country.

There Are Three College Basketball Teams With Any Business Winning the Title | The Big Lead
Villanova, Virginia and Purdue are a cut above the rest of college basketball this year.

Villanova's Omari Spellman showing range | Inside the City Six | Philly.com
Villanova's Omari Spellman has shown an ability to play inside and outside. Also, Temple is finding a way to win close games.

PoY Rankings: Jalen Brunson is having a season that we’ve never seen before | NBC Sports
Jalen Brunson is having arguably the best season we have ever seen out of a point guard for the best offensive team we have seen in the KenPom era.

Why your team won't make the Final Four | ESPN
Making plans for the Final Four? Sure your team has all the pieces to make a run? Well, we have some bad news. Here's what's going to keep each contender from reaching college basketball's final weekend.

Bubble Watch returns with competition for places in ACC, SEC | ESPN
Bubble Watch is back to help make sense of the movement on the NCAA tournament bubble. The busiest action can be found in the ACC and the SEC. Villanova is a lock for the tournament along with Xavier, and as many as 7 Big East teams could go dancing next month.

March Madness: The most common matchups in NCAA tournament history | NCAA.com
UNC vs. 'Nova makes the list.

Son of Villanova announcer arrested for 'helping flip car' | Daily Mail Online
John Rigsby, 20, who is the son of Villanova basketball announcer Whitey Rigsby, was arrested and charged with vandalism for allegedly helping to flip over a car after the Eagles' victory.