The Sun’s Arizin: Villanova News & Links for July 23rd

VU Hoops has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though VU Hoops and SB Nation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our guiding principles.

Happy Thursday! As a reminder, 4-star guard Jordan Longino is set to make his college decision tonight at 8p ET.

Here are some links to hold you over until then...

Villanova Basketball

#BIGEASThoops Summer Notebook | Big East Conference
The BIG EAST is Villanova’s to lose until someone takes it from them. There’s data to back that up, of course. The Wildcats, who are the most decorated program in college basketball over the last seven years, hold a 103-23 record in conference play over that span. All signs are pointing to Jay Wright’s team being not only a favorite in the BIG EAST, but a Final Four caliber squad.

Is Mikal Bridges the next Shane Battier? Or can he be better? | Bright Side Of The Sun
The similarities between Mikal Bridges and Shane Battier are almost haunting from a statistical standpoint.

Some new summertime Villanova gear from Nike.

Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat...

Predicting where each Duke basketball recruiting target will land | Ball Durham
The outlook for Duke basketball recruiting efforts in the 2021 cycle has changed significantly across the past month, necessitating several new predictions. They predict Trevor Keels will be going to UVa...

Villanova’s Siegrist, Lourdes product, describes ‘spiritual’ meeting | Poughkeepsie Journal
Maddy Siegrist had the opportunity to meet Sister Rose Marie, formerly Shelly Pennefather, Villanova’s best basketball player.

Villanova Football

Villanova’s Justin Covington waits for one last chance to impress pro football scouts. He may not get it. | Mike Jensen
As a fourth-year junior last fall, Covington was leading the NCAA FCS division in rushing when he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in October. He’s been training for one last go in 2020.

College Basketball

C.J. Holmes: Taking you inside the game on the Philly college basketball beat | The Athletic
The Athletic is adding a new Big 5 beat. Looking forward to the challenge of covering the Big 5 in a new way and back at the grind it took to get here.

The ultimate conference for Syracuse basketball - The Juice Online
This summer’s idea by Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde of college sports realigning into 10 geographically-friendly conferences to be more fiscally responsible during these current COVID-19 times got the wheels inside my head turning. Yes, Villanova would be included.

HOYA SAXA! Grad Transfer Don Carey Commits to Georgetown! | Casual Hoya
The 6’5" Guard comes from Siena, immediately eligible with two years left!