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Happy Wednesday Nova Nation! I hope you’re all having a great day, and I want you to think happy thoughts before I bring up a dreaded four letter word: ESPN. Actually, this time I’m happy to talk about the world wide leader in sports as they spearhead their annual ESPY’s Auction supporting The V Foundation for cancer research. We may not always agree with their coverage of the Wildcats, but everyone can get behind a cause like this.
And when I say everyone, I also mean Jay Wright. Wright is one of five college coaches participating in the event by auctioning off “experiences” that all include time with the coach and attending a game. The others involved are Duke’s Coach K, Kentucky’s John Calipari, Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw, and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley.
While all of the other coach experiences will take place on their respective campuses, ESPN doesn’t cover Villanova home games anymore. So instead, the Coach Experience with Villanova’s Jay Wright will take place at the AdvoCare Invitational in Orlando, Florida on Thanksgiving.
The day will include four tickets to Villanova’s opening game of the tournament, a meet and greet with Jay Wright, a tour of the ESPN facilities and Disney’s Wide World of Sports, and a meet with the ESPN announcing crew. And on top of all that, it also comes with a Disney Parks VIP experience for 4.
Do you know what the craziest part of all that is? The current bid is only $880. Now for someone like me who loves Jay Wright and got engaged in Disney World, this is a dream package. However, my mom’s mashed potatoes are just too good to pass up on Thanksgiving, so the window is open for the rest of you!
Not only do you get a great package, but the money goes towards finding a cure for cancer. Really, it can’t get much better than that. But if you need some extra incentive, Coach K’s package is up to $2,827 while Calipari’s is at $2,025. Are we really going to let people think Jay’s time is worth less than half of theirs? Come on people, we’re going to Disney World!
In other news, updated Championship odds, more July recruiting, and let’s make sure there’s another Final Four in Texas. Enjoy!
ESPN auction pits Kentucky against Duke, Calipari against Krzyzewski | Lexington Herald Leader
The evergreen (ever blue?) Kentucky-Duke rivalry extends to an ESPN charity auction. Prizes up for bid include experiences with John Calipari and Mike Krzyzewski.
NCAA Basketball 2018-2019 Odds | GET MORE SPORTS
NCAA Basketball 2018-2019 Odds - Some of the books are carrying futures for the NCAA 2018-2019 college basketball National Champions. Villanova is down to 5th.
Recruiting Roundup: basketball star Isaiah Wong has final showcase to climb national rankings | Philly
Wong feels as if he's been underappreciated nationally, his No. 130 slot in the latest 247Sports composite rankings too low, his status as the ninth-leading scorer on the Under Armour circuit (19.3 ppg) a sign he's right up there with the best.
Peach Jam preview: Players to watch this week | Power Mizzou
A number of 2019 and 2020 players will be on display in South Carolina.
San Antonio delegation seeks a return of the NCAA’s Final Four tournament | San Antonio Express-News
Villanova has done pretty well when the Final Four is in Texas!