More expected news on the draft front, as Jalen Brunson declares.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/brunson-declares-for-nba-draft

No surprises here, as likely lottery pick Mikal Bridges has declared for the NBA Draft.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/bridges-headed-to-nba-draft

Nova commit Cole Swider put forth a solid performance while sharing the court with some of 2018's best prospects at the Jordan Brand Classic.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/solid-showing-for-swider-at-jordan-brand-classic

We've barely had time to sweep the confetti from the streets of Philadelphia and the Wildcats are already back hard at work.

Per Rival's Corey Evans, the Cats were in to see four-star 2019 guard Justin Moore out of DeMatha High School in Maryland today. The 6-4 shooting guard is currently ranked 75 in the 2019 Rivals 150.

We knew Villanova assistant coach Ashley Howard would be a hot name for some of the coaching vacancies this spring, and now the fears of losing him have been confirmed as he has taken the job at La Salle.

Howard served as an assistant at La Salle from 2004-08. He developed a reputation as an excellent recruiter at Villanova, playing a major role in the recruitment of Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges.

He will certainly be missed at Villanova, but it's a great opportunity and it's wonderful to see Howard get to lead a program and watch the Wright coaching tree expand. Wright had this to say: "Ashley is an outstanding coach who made a great impact on our program and university in his five years with us. His passion for mentoring young men and teaching skill has been invaluable in our team's development. La Salle has made a terrific selection and all of us at Villanova are thrilled for Ashley, Ariana and Journey as they embark on this new phase of Ash's career."

Again, congrats to Howard on this wonderful opportunity. While he'll be missed at Villanova, this type of thing is inevitable when you've had the kind of success that the Wildcats have over the past five years.

Nova is expected to land its first 2019 BB recruit next week.
Eric Dixon is a 6'7", 4 Star, Power Forward, from Willow Grove, PA., who is ranked #72 by Rivals.

Dixon has pared his list down to Villanova, Louisville, Virginia, and Seton Hall.
Villanova leads by all accounts.

Villanova capped off a banner season with individual honors at "The College Basketball Awards" as Brunson, Bridges, Wright honored.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/cats-clean-up-at-college-basketball-awards

Rivals' Krysten Peek has some highlights from the Nova commit at the showcase event.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/mcdonalds-all-american-game-jahvon-quinerly-highlights

For the second time in three years your Villanova Wildcats are the national champions! Enjoy it Nova Nation! Your program is a blue blood. Story coming.

Taking a look at Michigan ahead of tonight's national championship game.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/let-s-dance-michigan

City of Basketball Love's Josh Verlin has reported that Abington's Eric Dixon, a four-star forward in the class of 2019, is likely to make his college decision before the start of the April live period, which begins on the 20th.

Villanova, Virginia, and Seton Hall are considered favorites, and a Louisville offer could be coming as Chris Mack had offered Dixon at Xavier. Other offers for Dixon include Miami, Oklahoma State, Rutgers, Georgetown, and Penn State.

Another thing to keep an eye on as we head into April.

Jalen Brunson was named Naismith Player of the Year on Sunday after being named AP Player of the Year earlier last week. He now waits to see if he claims yet another POY award when the Wooden Award winner is announced on Friday. It's great to see Jalen receiving the much-deserved recognition.

http://www.villanova.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040118aaa.html

Rivals' Corey Evans caught up with five-star 2020 guard Jeremy Roach ahead of the start of the EYBL circuit and talked about some of his most involved suitors so far, including Villanova.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals...h-growing-into-his-own-and-gathering-interest

A look at Saturday's win over Kansas that sent the Cats into the national championship game.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/cats-handle-kansas-head-to-national-championship-game

Kicking things off by signing a horrific outfielder, Peter Bourjos! Trust the confusion!

Jalen has been named the AP Player of the Year receiving 36 of 65 votes.

(I predict he will be on fire on Saturday.)

Bennett has been named the AP Mens College Basketball Coach of the Year.

How did that happen you ask?
They voted before the NCAA Tournament began. Smart.

Taking a look at Kansas ahead of Saturday's big Final Four game.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/let-s-dance-kansas

Taking a quick break from the tournament, Villanova assistant Ashley Howard is among a handful of early favorites for the vacant head coaching job at Loyola Maryland per Brian Snow.

What movies do you like this year?

I really enjoyed Birdman but I think The Imitation Game will win Best Picture. The commie-pinkos in Hollywood will likely not pick American Sniper because they think it's "pro-war." However, it will win Best Director because the Academy loves putting old people up on stage.

The Hollywood Reporter has a pretty good interview with a long time Oscar voter who is laying it all out there.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/brutally-honest-oscar-ballot-2015-773902

A look at Sunday's win over Texas Tech that sent the Cats to their second Final Four in three years.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/cats-beat-texas-tech-reach-final-four

A quick look at tomorrow's Elite 8 opponent, Texas Tech.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/let-s-dance-texas-tech

A look at Friday's Sweet 16 win over West Virginia.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/cats-into-elite-8-after-win-over-west-virginia

A look at Friday's Sweet 16 opponent West Virginia. We talked to Keenan Cummings from Rivals' West Virginia site for some added insight on the Mountaineers.

https://villanova.rivals.com/news/let-s-dance-west-virginia

…..by 5 and 1/2 points.

Note: W.VA has trouble closing out games. They have a tendency to fade in the home stretch of tough games.