WXVU Sports

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 SI Jalen Brunson said it best in his tweet that today "heaven gained a legend". This afternoon at age 82, coach Massimino passed away after a long standing battle with lung cancer. His legacy, especially at Villanova cannot be understated. Without coach Mass, Villanova basketball would not be as we know it today. In 1973, when Rollie Massimino was hired, he started to lay the groundwork for what would be one of the greatest upsets to ever occur 12 years later. It only took two years of building for Massimino to turn the program around from the 11-14 season it had suffered the year before Massimino's arrival to a point where the Wildcats ripped off 11 consecutive winning seasons. Coach Mass helped establish Villanova for what it is now. He was famous for having his players over for Italian family dinners to create a bond and togetherness that is now so often referenced as a part of Villanovan culture. He was a star member of th...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 TampaBay.com It was advertised as the biggest match-up in combat sports history. Conor McGregor versus Floyd Mayweather, live from Las Vegas. It was a match made in heaven. Sports talk shows and radio were dominated by it and a Pay Per View price of $100 reflected the high hopes of the promoters. But was it worth it? Did it live up to the gargantuan levels of hype around it? Absolutely. One of the biggest questions entering the ring was if Conor McGregor would embaress himself against Floyd being that McGregor had never boxed before. He didn't. Conor came out flying in the first few rounds of the fight as he tried to live up to his word of knocking out Mayweather. While he wasn't able to, he was still found a way to land a large amount of punches. In fact, he actually landed 111 of them against Mayweather, more than the 82 that Manny Pacquiao landed in their fight two years ago. Boxing Scene While McGregor came out guns blazing,...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 UVA There are definitely easier ways to start a season. The University of Virginia has appeared in the collegiate postseason tournament for 34 consecutive years(!!) and has produced talents such as Kyle Martino, Claudio Reyna as well as USMNT coach Bruce Arena. Yet coach Tom Carlin's bunch rode the momentum of last season's maiden trip into the NCAA soccer tournament all the way to Charlottesville for their first match-up of the new season. The Wildcats even struck first against UVA less than ten minutes in. A curling effort from southern California native Lucas Hodges beat UVA's Jeff Caldwell at his far post in the seventh minute to get the ball rolling. Virginia instantly replied just two minutes later through forward Edward Opoku. After some great saves by Nova's Will Steiner and UVA's Caldwell, the sides were deadlocked at one headed into the half. Virginia went ahead in the fifty third minute through Faris Abdi only...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 Cavs Nation You've heard time and time again this summer that this NBA offseason has been nothing short of insane. It truly has been more exciting than last season's abysmal regular season and much of the postseason as well. And it just got more wild. Kyrie Irving is headed to Boston in an absolute blockbuster of a deal. Kyrie is off to Boston in exchange for for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a 2018 first round draft pick from the Brooklyn Nets. Kyrie getting his wish in being moved isn't all that shocking. As more and more information came out this summer it became apparent that the relationship between LeBron James and Kyrie had broken down to the point of no return. Kyrie was forcing his way out of Ohio, the question was just where would he end up? And that is what is so shocking about this deal. Kyrie is headed to the Cavs top competition. Boston was the number one overall seed last season and seems to be the only te...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 BBC It's back! On Friday afternoon in London, the curtain will be raised on a new highly anticipated premier league season as Arsenal host Leicester City. So it's time for a full on premier league breakdown as we all buckle up for what should be another incredible season in England's top  division. The Big Boys Gone is the magic of two years ago when Claudio Ranieri's Leicester squad shocked the world(and the odds makers that put them at 5000/1 odds) with their epic run to the title. The big boys have been restored to their places atop the league and they're here to stay. 1. Manchester City 2. Tottenham Hotspur 3.Liverpool 4. Manchester United 5. Chelsea 6. Arsenal The pressure is on in Manchester. With Pep Guardiola spending over $500 million during his first two summers in charge of City, it's time for him to win. And after what many would consider as a disapointing first year in charge, he is primed for a t...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 NBC Sports This is not the first you've heard of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, and it certainly won't be the last. But every so often we all need a reminder of the what we are actually watching. Last night was a stark reminder of the incredible nature of both these players as their careers continue to and forever will be linked to each other. On a first pitch breaking ball from Miami's Odrisamer Despaigne, Bryce Harper destroyed his 29th home run of the season and 150th of his career. In doing so he became the third fastest active player to 150 dingers in terms of games played. Harper reaches the milestone in his age 24 season, becoming the 14th player in baseball history to do so. He joins an elite list that includes the names of Eddie Matthews, Jimmie Fox, Alex Rodriguez and current stars such as Giancarlo Stanton, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout. Harper has already surpassed his home run totals from last year and leads the nation...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 Sky Sports We've heard for a long time that the transfers market in Europe has spiraled out of control. Money is everywhere in European soccer and it has never been truer than this summer. Barcelona's $260 million buyout close in Neymar's contract was not a calculated number. It was thrown in there because no one thought it would ever be triggered, but yesterday it was. And with that Barcelona was given a taste of their own medicine that no one could believe. And with that one of the most exciting players in the world is chartering a new chapter in his already storied career, on a world record transfer fee that absolutely shattered last year's number of $116 million for Paul Pogba. He already has a champions league title, La Liga title, a Copa del Rey triumph to his name along with a gold medal for his country and 105 goals in 186 appearances for Barca. The move comes as a shock. There was no indication that one of the most pr...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 Fast Philly Sports Booth is back! Jon Rothstein( @JonRothstein ) has reported that Villanova guard Phil Booth has finally been cleared to resume basketball activity. Booth only played three games his junior season due to lingering knee pain that had him shut down for the season. His last game came on November 17th against Western Michigan. Booth only took part in 72 minutes this past season averaging 5.7 points, 2 assist and 1.6 rebounds. Booth's return should be seen as great news as he adds experience and a solid skill set to the current crop of Nova guards. Booth will join Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo as well as newcomer Collin Gillespie in the backcourt for the 2017/2018 season.  Phil was a starter at the beginning of this season so it will be interesting to see where he fits in after the rise of DiVincenzo. Jay Wright may be inclined to form a veteran backcourt of Booth with Brunson as the starters to keep Donte in the role he excelled...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 Sports Illustrated Christmas in July is a phrase often used and that is exactly what the trade deadline felt like for MLB fans yesterday. A flurry of action especially by some of the games' top franchises made the deadline incredibly interesting. Some moves were exactly what the teams needed, others not so much. Grades are in and it's time for report cards to be sent out. Boston Red Sox: B Boston is 4-6 in their last ten games and find themselves a half game behind the first place Yankees. Add in a rift between David Price and broadcaster Dennis Eckersley and WEEI radio and things have not been going smoothly for the Sox. Boston added Eduardo Nunez from San Francisco as well as Addison Reed from the Mets. While Nunez adds speed and position versatility, he is not penciled in as a starter. Boston is hoping that Rafael Devers solves their third base issues, but a more proven commodity would have been the better move here. The Reed move sho...