Joe's primary beats are covering Penn State football and Villanova basketball, but he also covers the Big 5, local golf and the Penn Relays.

Latest Stories
Penn athletic department placed on two years of NCAA probation in Jerome Allen scandal

Penn athletic department placed on two years of NCAA probation in Jerome Allen scandal

2:37 PM
The NCAA penalty, which included a $5,000 fine and recruiting restrictions for men's basketball, stemmed from bribes that former coach Jerome Allen accepted to get the son of a Florida businessman into Penn.
James Franklin is guaranteed $35.4 million over his new six-year contract, Penn State says

Franklin is guaranteed $35.4 million over his new six-year contract, Penn State says

11:43 AM
Franklin will make $5.4 million in guaranteed compensation in 2020 and receive annual raises, pushing his salary to a high of $6.5 million in 2025.
Villanova attempts to carry over fine defensive effort to next game against St. John’s

Villanova attempts to carry over fine defensive effort to next game against St. John’s

February 25
Jay Wright called Saturday's performance at Xavier perhaps his team's best defensive performance of the season.
Villanova and two of its Big East rivals dominate the No. 3 seeds in NCAA projected bracket

Villanova and two of its Big East rivals dominate the No. 3 seeds in NCAA projected bracket

February 25
Creighton and Seton Hall joined the Wildcats as 3 seeds in ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi's latest projections. But Rutgers' seed has dropped to a 10.
Harry Groves, former Penn State track and cross-country coach, dies at 89

Harry Groves, former Penn State track and cross-country coach, dies at 89

February 25
Mr. Groves coached both sports for 38 years before his retirement in 2006. His teams competed annually at the Penn Relays.
Villanova 64, Xavier 55: Stats, highlights and reaction from the Wildcats’ fourth straight win

Villanova 64, Xavier 55: Stats, highlights and reaction from the Wildcats’ fourth straight win

February 22
The 12th-ranked Wildcats did not light it up from three-point range as they had in the previous two games, but they got plenty of scoring from inside the arc. Saddiq Bey led 'Nova with 22 points.
Villanova’s torrid three-point shooting run to be tested Saturday at Xavier

Villanova’s torrid three-point shooting run to be tested Saturday at Xavier

February 21
The 12th-ranked Wildcats have connected on 35 three-point baskets in their last two games, but the Musketeers lead the Big East in defending the three.
No. 1 Baylor hosts No. 3 Kansas in college basketball’s ‘game of the year’

No. 1 Baylor hosts No. 3 Kansas in college basketball’s ‘game of the year’

February 21
The Bears have won 23 consecutive games, a Big 12 conference record, and already have defeated the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse.
Villanova prepares for DePaul, which is 1-11 in the Big East but threw a scare into Cats in the first meeting

Villanova prepares for DePaul, which is 1-11 in the Big East but threw a scare into Cats in the first meeting

February 18
The 12th-ranked Wildcats had to go overtime to defeat DePaul on Jan. 14, their 19th consecutive win over the Blue Demons. Jay Wright said they're better than their record.
Big East up to seven NCAA Tournament teams in latest ESPN bracket; Nova still a 4 seed

Big East up to seven NCAA Tournament teams in latest ESPN bracket; Nova still a 4 seed

February 18
The Wildcats were ranked 13th in Joe Lunardi's latest projection, meaning they're the best of the 4 seeds. Georgetown got in as the seventh team from the Big East.