Another Villanova Basketball opponent loses a player for the Myrtle Beach Invitational

Happy Tuesday Nova Nation! For the second straight week, a Villanova opponent at the Myrtle Beach Invitational has lost a likely starter for their matchup with the Wildcats. Last week Middle Tennessee, Nova’s first round opponent, announced that a knee injury would sideline junior DeAndre Dishman for the entire season. Dishman would likely have started for the Blue Raiders, but is now sidelined for a second consecutive season.

Yesterday, it was announced that a rules violation that will keep Mississippi State’s Nick Weatherspoon out for 11 games in the 2019-2020 season. Weatherspoon also missed time last season, we now know due to having a tutor complete schoolwork for him. The ban is likely to begin with the start of the season, which would include a potential 2nd Round matchup with Villanova. Nick Weatherspoon started all but one of the games he played in for the Bulldogs last season, alongside his brother and team leading scorer, Quinndary Weatherspoon.

Villanova was already the favorite to make the Championship game from their side of the bracket, if not win the whole tournament. Their biggest challenge would come from the Baylor Bears if the two met in the final. But as Villanova has seen in past early season tournaments, they don’t always go as predicted. The Wildcats will seek their 7th consecutive early season tournament championship this year, but with such a young roster that may be easier said than done. I leave it to you Nova Nation, where will Villanova place at the Myrtle Beach Invitational?

In other news, Villanova Soccer’s Hensley Hancuff won Big East goalie of the week, Rick Brunson starts the newest chapter of his coaching career, and former assistant coach Patrick Chambers is bringing Penn State to the Palestra for another Big Ten “home” game. Enjoy!

College Basketball

Mississippi State placed on three-year probation by NCAA | NBC Sports
Mississippi State's Nick Weatherspoon, a starting junior guard, will miss 11 games in the 2019-2020 season. This would likely rule him out of a potential matchup with Villanova in the Myrtle Beach Invitational.

NBA Wildcats

Golden State Warriors: Omari Spellman will be crucial for the second unit | Blue Man Hoop
The Golden State Warriors added many players this offseason but none more important to the team's second unit than Omari Spellman.

VIDEO: Warriors release all-access video of rookies’ first day with team | Warriors Wire
The Golden State Warriors released an all-access video of their three rookies, and fans got a peek at the players' personalities.

Villanova Football

Football Opens Season with Victory | The Villanovan
Villanova and Colgate kicked off the 150th season of college football with the country’s first game and the ‘Cats certainly started on the right foot, notching a 34-14 victory on

Villanova Athletics

Hensley Hancuff Earns BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week Honors | Villanova University Athletics
New York, N.Y.- Sophomore goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff was named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week following a 1-0-1 opening weekend for the Wildcats.

2019 NCAA DI Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Preseason | USTFCCCA
Villanova ranks fourth in the Mid-Atlantic Region behind Penn State, Princeton, and Penn.

MLB Wildcats

Pro Baseball Local Recap: Hunter Schryver, Ben Dum, Michael Hope all have solid weeks | Cumberlink.com
The Villanova grad only saw 1.2 innings of play last week, but he made the most of it.

Villanova Adjacent

Villanova University honors police Superintendent Christopher Flanagan | mainlinemedianews.com
RADNOR — Radnor Police Superintendent Christopher Flanagan received the first ever Villanova University Caritas Award at a ceremony on Monday.

New Camden basketball coach Rick Brunson sees himself in players: ‘I was that kid’ | The Inquirer
The former NBA player and coach says he can relate to his athletes because he went through the same experience twice -- in his own development and with his son Jalen, the former Villanova star.

Free from the stigma, Matt Doherty goes all-in on CBD business | The Athletic
The former UNC coach and player is working with State of Mind Naturals to focus on the sale and marketing of CBD products. Former Villanova AD, Tim Hofferth, is on board as well.

University and Residents Clash Over Villanova's Recent Expansions | Main Line Today
The Main Line's most high-profile school has recently added a new dorm complex, a fine dining restaurant and a performing arts center.

Iowa Hoops To Play Penn State At Legendary Palestra In Philadelphia | Go Iowa Awesome
Iowa hoops is headed to one of the most storied arenas in college hoops.

For Iowa’s Fran McCaffery, road game against Penn State at his old gym the Palestra will be like a homecoming | pennlive.com
The Hawkeyes' coach returning to his Philadelphia roots was a natural match, which is why I suggested it to Patrick Chambers back in 2017 after the super-juiced upset of Michigan State. What I didn't realize was what an impact a 1982 Palestra game against PSU had on McCaffery's final year as a college player.