Experts still picking Villanova Basketball to win the Big East

Happy Wednesday Nova Nation! After losing their leading scorers to the NBA (again), Villanova has it’s youngest team ever under Jay Wright. In the meantime, the Big East has gotten older and more experienced around them, producing some real contenders for the Wildcat’s conference crown. But despite the obvious improvement of the Big East, experts are still saying, “To be the best, you have to beat the best.”

Between ESPN and CBS, 6 of 10 experts have picked Villanova to finish atop the Big East in the regular season. That’s double the next highest team, Seton Hall, who got three votes. Providence picked up the final first place vote, while Xavier and Marquette were also highly ranked.

Despite being picked #1, this clearly isn’t the same stranglehold the Wildcats have had over the conference. Villanova is used to getting 9 of 10 votes, if not outright sweeping the expert predictions. But that’s going to be reality for the Wildcats, especially early on this season. Don’t be surprised if Villanova stumbles out of the gate as the freshmen and sophomore class show their inexperience and Bryan Antoine continues his rehab from off-season surgery.

But considering that the “experts” can’t possibly know the Wildcats as well as the fans, I leave it to you Nova Nation, where will Nova finish this year in the Big East regular season?

In other “news”, Villanova Football prepares for their road game at #2 JMU, Villanova Men’s Soccer beats JMU for coach Tom Carlin’s 100th victory, and coaches are weighing in on the “Play for Pay” law. Enjoy!

Villanova Basketball

Big East 2019-20 predictions: Villanova or the field? | ESPN
With less than a month until the start of the 2019-20 college basketball season, ESPN's conference predictions series begins with the Big East.

Big East expert picks, 2019-20 preview: Villanova will have to fend off challenges from Seton Hall and Xavier | CBSSports.com
After a down season, the Big East has plenty of teams who can contend for a league title

NBA Wildcats

Toronto Raptors: Best and worst-case scenarios for Kyle Lowry | Raptors Rapture
Kyle Lowry is in line to have a big season for the Toronto Raptors. What are his best and worst-case scenarios for the 2019-20 NBA season?

Villanova Football

Improving pass defense a priority for JMU | WHSV
The James Madison football team is working to improve its pass defense after the Dukes struggled on the road at Stony Brook.

FCS PODCAST: Villanova Coach Mark Ferrante | HERO Sports
Villanova is 6-0 so far this year and has a massive matchup at James Madison this Saturday. Ferrante talked about his 30+ years at Villanova, and much more ... including a Bacardi Bowl mention.

CAA Continues To Lead The Nation With Six Teams In Top 25 | FloFootball
The CAA continues to lead all FCS conferences with six teams ranked in the Top 25 polls released by STATS and the AFCA on Monday.

FCS: James Madison's Line Of Scrimmage Play Has Been Key | HERO Sports
James Madison has a massive test this weekend against the only 6-0 FCS team in the nation: Villanova. 'Nova is good at the same things JMU is. Where will this head? The line will tell you.

College football Week 7 preview: Top games, what to watch, rankings | NCAA.com
Here's our Week 7 college football preview. We look at the week's top games, what to watch out for and the Top 25 rankings.

MLB Wildcats

2019 Birmingham Barons Season in Review: Pitchers | FutureSox
To continue the theme of left-handed pitchers, Hunter Schryver was promoted to Triple-A Charlotte after posting a 2.77 ERA in 30 relief appearances for Birmingham.

Villanova Athletics

Dukes suffer first loss since late August | WHSV
James Madison men’s soccer fell to Villanova 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon for their first loss since the month of August.

Stout Defense Helps Wildcats Knock Off No. 17 James Madison | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova improved to 6-0 at home in 2019 with a 1-0 wion over James Madison Tuesday.

Another Clean Sheet, Another Win for Men's Soccer | The Villanovan
It was another home victory for the Wildcats, who improved to 7-3-1 on the season with a 1-0 victory against the James Madison University in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday

Volleyball to Face St. John's in Midweek Matchup | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa. – Villanova volleyball (12-3, 3-1) is set to travel to Queens, NY for a mid-week matchup with St. John's (10-7, 2-2) Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

Women’s Soccer Ranked 5th in USC East Region Poll and Highest RPI on Any Team in the State | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa.- With a 5-4-3 overall record and 1-1-1 in BIG EAST play the Wildcats earned regional recognition as Villanova was ranked 5th in this week's United

Regan Lough Named to BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for Fourth Time | Villanova University Athletics
New York -- Regan Lough was once again named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for her play during Villanova's weekend sweep. This is Lough's fourth time making

College Basketball

Mark Few to Cali. Governor: ‘He should stay in his lane and figure out homelessness’ | NBC Sports
This was not Few's best decision.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski backs California’s Fair Pay To Play law | NBC Sports
Compare this to what Mark Few said earlier today.

New York man charged with attempted bribery for trying to fix a college basketball game in 2018 | CBSSports.com
A man tried and failed to fix a college basketball game in 2018 and is facing attempted bribery