Villanova heads to Providence tonight to play basketball in the hockey arena that is the Dunkin' Donuts Center. You can watch the game on Channel 17 at 7:30 p.m. We thank the Big East for its television contract.
No jokes about coffee or donuts in the Inquirer or Daily News this morning, but there are profiles of the Wildcats' starting guards. Shannon Ryan takes Scottie Reynolds, "court-savvy" but trying to replicate the "energy and swagger" of a certain Kyle Lowry. Hmm. Dana Pennett O'Neill takes Mike Nardi, who isn't as hard on himself anymore as he used to be. The Providence Journal also highlights the backcourt, but in a more general fashion.
Elsewhere in what some call The Daily News -- now the People Paper of people in the Philadelphia suburbs -- Chuck Bausman goes High and Inside to praise CN8 for airing tomorrow night's Penn-Temple game instead of "Backstage with Barry Nolan." I actually like Barry Nolan, although for a show that doesn't air on CN8. Having said that, my cable doesn't come from CN8's parent company, so I won't be able to tape the game. But I will be there, which is even better.
Speaking of that game, the Temple student paper has its previews this morning. The lead story takes a historical perspective. There are certainly some familiar themes. Penn's Mark Zoller says facing Fran Dunphy will be like "playing your father." And a columnist says the game "has all the ingredients for the front page of a tabloid." I'll be shocked if it makes the back page of one.
National news after the jump.
George Washington, with Philly native Maureece Rice, is apparently better than Maryland, Virginia Commonwealth and Virginia. Those folks in D.C. sure know how to vote, even if they don't have one in Congress.
Speaking of GW, Philly native Bryan Graham says we've got "mass hysteria!" in the A-10.
An exhausted Oklahoma State won the Bedlam Game aginst Oklahoma. Louisville grew up in a hurry and beat Connecticut.
After being arrested for marijuana possession last month, Notre Dame's Kyle McAlarney has been dismissed from the school.
On a happier note, N.C. State women's coach Kay Yow returns to the sidelines tonight in the midst of a fight with breast cancer. I know cancer usually wins, but I have a hard time not taking the coach in this one.
Tennessee men's coach Bruce Pearl painted his chest orange and stood in the student section for last night's Duke-Tennessee women's game.
Headline of the day: "WORD OF GOD APPROVED." Seriously.
Rugby might be the next NCAA varsity sport, according to the Penn student paper.
And finally, Sonny Vaccaro -- the most powerful man in shoes and high school basketball -- is retiring. Let us all hope that the world doesn't come to an end.
