A Philadelphia Story That's Similar, But Different

Villanova and St. John's have always been similar to some degree, and still are with potential GQ cover boys Jay Wright and Steve Lavin on the sidelines. (Both photos courtesy of New York Daily News)For most of the last two decades, you could look at Villanova and St. John's and see many glaring similarities between the...

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Full Court Press: Syracuse-Villanova Preview

Corey Fisher, who singlehandedly lifted Villanova over DePaul, gets chance to do it again as Wildcats host Syracuse tonight at Wells Fargo Center. (Photo courtesy of New York Daily News)If Big East basketball teaches you anything, it is to expect the unexpected at all costs. Remember when St. John's was consistently...

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Full Court Press: Utah State-St. Mary's Preview

Mickey McConnell looks to shoot St. Mary's into a higher NCAA Tournament seed as Gaels host Utah State tomorrow night in BracketBuster matchup. (Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)This is probably the most unorthodox and unexpected pregame preview I've done, but it never hurts to branch out. In one corner is a team...

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The Definition Of Survivor

He's been through it all, but Rick Pitino has managed to remain at the top of his game with no signs of fading away anytime soon. (Photo courtesy of New York Daily News)It hasn't been an easy life for Rick Pitino in recent years, and the Louisville coach will be the first one to tell you that. From the day he returned...

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Bubble Boys, But Maybe Not For Long

Leave it to New York native Jerry Seinfeld to introduce the world-famous "bubble boy." However, unlike the episode of the hit 1990s sitcom, there is more than one bubble boy taking center stage in 2011. In fact, there are approximately 15 to be exact; and like Seinfeld, they hail from the Empire State. I'm talking about the St. John's Red Storm,...

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The Amazing Jonathan

Jonathan Mitchell continues to defy convention and improve with each passing day, as his four-point play with :00.8 seconds left lifts Rutgers to 77-76 upset over Villanova. (Photo courtesy of Newark Star-Ledger)Eight days ago, Rutgers took my alma mater of St. John's to the limit at Carnesecca Arena before ultimately...

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Postgame Shootaround: St. John's vs. UCLA

Steve Lavin, shown here in his earlier years at UCLA, returned to Westwood today for first time since 2003, but didn't get to leave a winner as St. John's fell to Bruins 66-59. (Photo courtesy of uclabruins.com)The day before the Super Bowl was hyped as a Super Bowl of sorts for St. John's for months before the season...

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Open Mike Excites Jersey Knights

As expected, Mike Rice is making a difference at Rutgers, but much quicker than expected. (Photo courtesy of Newark Star-Ledger)At the start of the season, everyone who knew Rutgers and new coach Mike Rice expected a positive marriage. However, not everyone expected so much so soon.Even after last night's road loss to...

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