Ben Ijalana Tears ACL, Done For Season

Colts offensive lineman Ben Ijalana and linebacker A.J. Edds both suffered torn ACLs and are done for the season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2012

Just heartbreaking, after all the rehab he must have done in the offseason.

Video: Maalik Wayns 2011-2012 Highlights

 

Courtesy of Sean Donovan. As we noted yesterday, Maalik recently signed with the 76ers.

Maalik Wayns Signs With Sixers

Source.

I always knew that the Sixers needed another player to jack up threes along with Andre Iguodala. Except Iggy plays defense.

Mislav Brzoja To Villanova?

After being spurned by Northwestern for academic reasons, Croatian guard Mislav Brzoja is apparently headed to Villanova in the fall according to an unsubstantiated report. No word on whether he'll be able to play.

Shocker: College Program Hires AAU Coach

Well, it happened and it happened at Villanova.

Before I get all high and mighty, I'll point out that this is perfectly legal, and not a violation of any NCAA rules. My problem with it is that AAU is a seedy underworld driven by backdoor deals and shoe companies. There's also no secret why these types of deals are done: recruiting. While it's not illegal, I'd prefer that stuff like this didn't happen at Villanova.

On a more positive note, it's good to have a warrior like Curtis Sumpter back with the program.

Oh, You Think Michael Phelps Is The Greatest Olympian Ever?

Michael Phelps is a tremendous swimmer, possibly the greatest swimmer in history. That does not make him the greatest Olympian in history.

He's also benefited tremendously by both the strength of the relay pools in the country he represents and the sheer volume of similar swimming events that there are.

This is the greatest Olympian ever:

Spotted At The Opening Ceremony

Awesome, even if the British Opening Ceremony uniforms made them look like gay astronauts.

Sheila Reid didn't walk with the Canadian team last night. Track and Field doesn't start until next week, and the Canadian team has a training camp in Germany right now.

Villanova Stadium Enters The 21st Century

Yes, it's a video board.

h/t Jeremy Wang.

Villanova Olympic Schedule

Daily schedule for all Villanova athletes competing at the Olympics

Stolen from the official site.

Day	Date	Time	Sport	Event	Villanova Athlete	Country
Saturday	July 28	11:45 AM	Women's Basketball	Croatia vs. United States	Lisa Karcic	Croatia
Sunday	July 29	3:00 PM	Men's Basketball	Great Britain vs. Russia	Andrew Sullivan	Great Britain
Monday	July 30	4:00 AM	Women's Basketball	Croatia vs. China	Lisa Karcic	Croatia
Tuesday	July 31	11:45 AM	Men's Basketball	Great Britain vs. Brazil	Andrew Sullivan	Great Britain
Wednesday	August 1	3:00 PM	Women's Basketball	Croatia vs. Czech Republic	Lisa Karcic	Croatia
Thursday	August 2	3:00 PM	Men's Basketball	Great Britain vs. Spain	Andrew Sullivan	Great Britain
Friday	August 3	4:00 AM	Women's Basketball	Croatia vs. Angola	Lisa Karcic	Croatia
Saturday	August 4	3:00 PM	Men's Basketball	Great Britain vs. Australia	Andrew Sullivan	Great Britain
Sunday	August 5	3:00 PM	Women's Basketball	Croatia vs. Turkey	Lisa Karcic	Croatia
Monday	August 6	6:45 AM	Women's Athletics	1500 Meters (Round 1)	Marina Muncan	Serbia
Monday	August 6	11:45 AM	Men's Basketball	Great Britain vs. China	Andrew Sullivan	Great Britain
Tuesday	August 7	5:55 AM	Women's Athletics	5000 Meters (Round 1)	Sheila Reid	Canada
Tuesday	August 7	TBA	Women's Basketball	Quarterfinal Round	Lisa Karcic	Croatia
Wednesday	August 8	2:45 PM	Women's Athletics	1500 Meters (Semifinal)	Marina Muncan	Serbia
Wednesday	August 8	TBA	Men's Basketball	Quarterfinal Round	Andrew Sullivan	Great Britain
Thursday	August 9	TBA	Women's Basketball	Semifinal Round	Lisa Karcic	Croatia
Friday	August 10	3:05 PM	Women's Athletics	5000 Meters (Final)	Sheila Reid	Canada
Friday	August 10	3:55 PM	Women's Athletics	1500 Meters (Final)	Marina Muncan	Serbia
Friday	August 10	TBA	Men's Basketball	Semifinal Round	Andrew Sullivan	Great Britain
Saturday	August 11	TBA	Women's Basketball	Bronze Medal/Gold Medal Games	Lisa Karcic	Croatia
Sunday	August 12	TBA	Men's Basketball	Bronze Medal/Gold Medal Games	Andrew Sullivan	Great Britain

Villanova Coach Andy Talley At CAA Media Day

Read what you will.

2012 Villanova Football Premiere Video

It's like a Christopher Nolan movie..

Preseason All-CAA Teams

Only two players from Villanova, and not the two I would have picked. Oh well. Villanova was picked to finish eighth. Bleh.

Rest In Peace George

George Jefferson is movin' on up.

And This Is The Problem

"A lot of these kids are told they're going to be drafted. Both of them expected to be drafted. It's a real challenge in our business now -- to try and educate these kids the best we can.''- Jay Wright

The Most Canadian Picture Ever

Things that are less Canadian than this picture:

Wayne Gretzky

Poutine

Tim Horton's

Molson and Labatt

Rush

The Degrassi Franchise

Kraft Dinner

Peter Jennings

The Montreal Alouettes 

TROLLIN'

Jay Bilas For Big East Commissioner?

Absolutely ridiculous.

The Villanova Oceanic Pipeline Strikes Again

From the 50's through the 90's, Villanova was famous as a destination for young Irish runners. Names like Eamonn Coghlan, Ron Delany, Gerry O'Reilly, Donal Walsh, current head track coach Marcus O'Sullivan, and Ireland's first (clean) female Olympic Medalist, Sonia O'Sullivan. Well, at some point, all the Irish kids started going to Providence and Arkansas, and Villanova hasn't had a stud Irish runner in well over a decade, perhaps since Sonia O'Sullivan.

Well, Kiwi Adrian Blincoe opened up a new pipleline when he came to the Main Line in 1999: The Oceanic pipeline. This pipeline has been tapped through Aussies like Matt Gibney and Sam McEntee and other Kiwis like Carl Mackenzie, Mathew Mildenhall and Hugo Beamish. Well, the Oceanic pipeline has struck again, with the addition of 3:36 1500m man Jordan Williamsz, a 20 year old Australian. Williamsz raced in America a bunch earlier this season and apparently enjoyed it enough to commit. This is big news, especially for the 4xMile and distance medley relays at Penn.

In melancholy news, Adrian Blincoe has been forced to withdraw from the London Olympics with a stress reaction in one of his legs.

"Marcus" Kennedy To SMU

Marcus Kennedy. SMU. transfer. Done.
— Dave Telep (@DaveTelep) July 19, 2012

I assume that Marcus Kennedy and Markus Kennedy are the same person.

Pitt Fans React to Being Released From Big East

What animals.

Preach, Dylan!

Working hard is an understatement here at Villanova. We are pushed past our limits to be great athletes and people. #greatplacetobe
— Dylan J. Ennis (@canadiankidDJE) July 17, 2012

It's great to see that Jay got a kid who really wants to be at Villanova.

More Reaction From Syracuse

Sue me.

Billie Jean King Says Pavilion To Be "Imploded"

According to tennis legend Billie Jean King, Villanova's horrible excuse for an on campus arena is not long for this world and will be "imploded" based on comments she made regarding World Team Tennis.

Says King from Jack McCaffery's blog:

"Someday, they are going to implode this and we will have an even nicer arena," King said Monday night, before the Freedoms' game against the Kansas City Explorers. "They will build a beautiful, new one too."

 She adds

"Yeah. I know. I am thrilled about that. It will be nice to have a new facility. Oh, yeah, they are definitely going to someday have a new facility and it will be great. Right here where we are standing. This will be imploded. But most people know where Villanova is. They used to have tournaments here years ago. Everyone kind of knows this is the tennis place for the greater Philadelphia area. And the Freedoms are really thrilled to be here. The Villanova people cannot be nicer. And that makes a huge difference."

Time for the Kevin Geary outrage express to kick into high gear.

Syracuse Students React To Early Big East Exit

I agree, that shit cray.

Syracuse FAIL

How do you spell the name wrong of one of your all time greatest players? And the answer is Scranton.

Chief Opponent of Villanova's Plan Seeking Same Zoning Relief

Kevin Geary, the spokesmouth of Right Plan For Radnor, chief opponents of the Lancaster Avenue Design Concept is seeking relief from Radnor's setback ordinance. I guess rules don't apply if your name is Kevin Geary.

Luckily, Radnor has these things online.

Ludicrous Questions From Radnor Residents

Disrespect of the dead

HALLOWEEN CANDY

The ridiculousness in its entirety with regard to the Lancaster Avenue design concept is here. It's also worth noting that Kevin Geary, the biggest loudmouth of the Radnor resident side (see: Right Plan For Radnor) is seeking a similar zoning variance FOR HIS OWN HOUSE! (evidence here)

Well This Sucks: Jamal Abdur-Rahman To Miss 2012 Season

Losing one of your best players before you play a game is generally a pretty crappy thing, and that is exactly what just happened to Villanova, who lost their most versatile offensive player, Jamal Abdur-Rahman for the season due to disciplinary issues.

I quote:

According to sources familiar with the situation, he has been disciplined by the university for his part in an off-campus incident in mid-April.

This isn't a crushing blow for the team in 2012, but it's a tough pill to swallow, because he's a very good player. Fortunately for this team though, this is a blow to the two deepest position groups on the team, running back and wide receiver. Time to become a star, Austin Medley.

ESPN's Keith Law Calls Matt Szczur "Underrated"

.@Kevin_Goldstein @SBerthiaumeESPN I'm in, as long as we dedicate the B-block to underrated Cubs prospects like Junior Lake and Matt Szczur
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) July 13, 2012

Not sure if he's serious though, because he's said otherwise before.

Canada Rights Its Wrong- SHEILA REID IS AN OLYMPIAN!

After nearly two weeks of bullshit, and two appeals on her behalf, Athletics Sheila Reid has been added to the Canadian Olympic Team in the 5000m, the preliminaries of which take place on August 7th. After Athletics Canada initially said that she did not prove an exceptional circumstance, the three person appeal board realized that Athletics Canada made a mistake. 

From the official release:

Sheila Reid submitted an appeal for Rising Star consideration based on winning the Canadian Track and Field Trials in the 5000-metres and having an Olympic B standard in the event.  Sheila also has two Olympic B standards in the 1500-metres.  Reid was the national champion in the 1500-metres in 2011 and is a five time NCAA champion demonstrating her ability to compete on demand in championship races.  The National Team Committee was willing to nominate her in the 5000-metres pending a competitive readiness test which she successfully completed earlier this week.  

Congratulations to Sheila for this achievement, simply making an Olympics is something that stays with you for the rest of your life.

Go give Sheila a follow on Twitter. 

Maalik Wayns Switches Teams

Former Villanova guard Maalik Wayns leaving Magic's summer league team to come to Las Vegas to play for Warriors.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 12, 2012

No homo.

Maalik Wayns Postgame Interview

It looks like he's going to stick somewhere at this point.

Will Smith and Andrew Sullivan Shooting Hoops

Good thing that there wasn't a fight that forced Will to move with his aunt and uncle in Bel Air.

Maalik Wayns After NBA Summer League Game #2

He had a minor injury today, but came back into the game.

Chennault And Arcidiacono To Start?

Early vibe out of Philly isthat will Villanova will start Ryan Arcidiacono + Tony Chennault at the guard spots. Ty Johnson 6th man.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 10, 2012

I'm presuming that the other three starters would be Bell, JVP, and Mouph. I don't know how I feel about this, because Chennault is simply a decent player, better off as a bench player and is by no means a panacea. We'll wait and see, but I'd rather see Hilliard or Yacoubou get a chance.

Temple Accepts Yet Another Miscreant

 Wasting your tax dollars effective immediately

Nothing new here, Pennsylvania Government Waste is very good at accepting society's castaways.

From the report:

Temple added Boston College’s career rushing leader to the Owls roster.

After being off kicked of the Eagles’ football team in May, Montel Harris has transferred to Temple. He arrived on campus Sunday.

Full article here

Wait, Villanova Runs Set Plays?

According to this, and the corresponding video, they do.

Photos: Villanova's Olympic Medalists

Charlie Jenkins, USA: 1956 Melbourne, 400m and 4x400 relay gold

Ron Delany, Ireland: 1956 Melbourne, 1500m Gold

I KNEW IT!

Now that college football will have a playoff, Villanova needs to expand the stadium and leave the Big East for the SEC
— FakeWIPCaller (@FakeWIPCaller) July 6, 2012

Video: Andrew Sullivan Talks About Making The British Olympic Team

Andrew Sullivan's long European career has lent credence to the assertion that he was one of the most misused players Villanova has had in recent years. Interestingly, he's Villanova's first ever Olympian in basketball.

The Best Athlete You've Never Heard Of

Meet David Rudisha, the most dominant athlete in the world.

Can I Have an Amen?

"I think our program's built up some credibility. I think there's an expectation that we'll get it back. But we still have to do it. You are what you are. That's fair."- Jay Wright

Canada's Only "Rising Star" #LetSheilaGo

 Hi Geoff!

Editor's Note: Upon doing some research on Athletics Canada's "rising star provision", I found one athlete who met Canada's "rising star" standard who is going to the Olympics.

Geoff Harris is a 25 year old 800m runner from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Prior to 2012, he ran a lot of times that would made him the third best 800 runner on the Villanova men's track team, but in 2012 he broke out and achieved his second Olympic B Standard in the 800 at Canadian Trials and is now going to the Olympics, despite the fact that he also doesn't have an 'A' Standard and being so much of a "rising star" that it took some scouring of the internet to find any of his results from earlier than this year. On the other hand, Sheila Reid is more than two years younger and has been the biggest name among female Canadian distance runners for the past year, while continuing a steady track of improvement that has seen her take more than three seconds off her 1500m PR, and 14 seconds off her 5000 PR in 2012. But, she doesn't have a second B Standard in the 5000, the possibility of which was all but destroyed when Canada decided to hold their trials at a location so high above sea level.

Geoff Harris deserves to be an Olympian, but I don't know how much of a "rising star" someone can be if they're already 25 years old and their chances of advancing to an Olympic final are even smaller than Reid's given the competitiveness of his event, but he's a "rising star" and Sheila Reid isn't, according to Athletics Canada.

You see what happens when you allow the government to have the final say on matters of sport?

UPDATE: Two nights ago, Sheila filed an additional appeal to a three member panel to ask for inclusion. Not sure as to whether a decision has been made, but as of yesterday afternoon, the decision was still pending.

Happy Independence Day, Y'all

"Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world, and you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind, that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences any more. We will be united in our common interest. Perhaps it's fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution, but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live, to exist, and should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, 'We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on, we're going to survive.' Today we celebrate our independence day!"

Athletics Canada's Delusions of Grandeur #LetSheilaGo

The grainy video you see above is the last Olympic gold medal won by Canada in track and field, the 1996 4x100m relay. What's interesting about that race is that none of the four men on that relay were born in Canada, Bruny Surin was born in Haiti, Glenroy Gilbert was born in Trinidad, and Robert Esmie and individual Olympic Champion Donovan Bailey were born in Jamaica. If any one of them, especially Surin or Bailey competed for their home countries, Canada wouldn't have won that medal. That is the power of the Olympics, athletes compete for the love of their country, whether they were born there or not.

There is no question that Sheila Reid wants to represent Canada in the Olympics. Her want to do so quite clearly had a negative effect on her performance in her final collegiate season. There's also no question that she's eligible to compete for the Olympics, according to IAAF rules, but Athletics Canada believes that Olympic experience is only earned when people meet their rules, which limit the Olympic experience for all athletes who don't meet their ridiculous standards, (which are more stringent than those to make the US Olympic Team, which will win more Olympic medals in the first week of the Olympics than Canada will in the entire competition,) keeping its best athletes from competing on Team Canada, and acting like a third world country in the process.

Canada probably created these standards because they were tired of being shut out of the medals, but that will continue if they they make it their policy to shun their best athletes, who obviously want to compete. If they had done the same thing they're doing to Sheila Reid to Donovan Bailey, Bruny Surin, Robert Esmie and Glenroy Gilbert, they could have decided that they wanted to compete for their native countries instead, and Athletics Canada would have deserved what they got.

Corey Fisher's New Clothes

For those of you who don't know, that's a chokha, the national garment of Fish's new home country of Georgia. His new name: Corey Fisashvili.

Athletics Canada: Shame On You #LetSheilaGo

You'd think that a country that won a grand total of one medal in track and field in the last Olympics would want to get experience for its younger athletes compete, so that they could get back to the days where they were winning medals, even if they were quite obviously dirty medals won by non-native Canadians. Well, you'd be wrong. Because of the arbitrary "A" qualifying standards set by the IAAF, and the shortsighted decision to hold the Olympic Trials at altitude, a worthy athlete, who has proven on merit over the last two years that she is Canada's best distance runner of any age will not be allowed to go to London. That is offensive to me, and Canada's track and field hierarchy should be ashamed of their shortsighted guidelines.

Because of these guidelines, Sheila Reid, a two time Canadian Champion will have to wait four years to compete at the Olympics. Canada shouldn't act like they're a third world country and send their best athletes that are eligible to compete. If winning a half dozen NCAA Titles doesn't make you a rising star, setting an arbitrary qualifying time shouldn't either.

#LetSheilaGo, and Happy Canada Day