Englands Andrew Johnston part of a five-strong group another stroke behind.Defending champion Danny Willett had also been just two off the lead when he recovered from a bogey on the fou

NEW YORK -- Villanova has a new name this season: defending national champion Villanova.Six months ago, the Wildcats won the NCAA championship in a thrilling finish, beating North Carolina 77-74. Its been a whirlwind since.This was all firsts for us, Villanova coach Jay Wright said Tuesday. It was our first time to the White House and to be honored at Philadelphia City. We came back from our trip to Spain -- where nobody knew us -- we didnt even get our bags before people were asking for pictures.Once we start playing everything will be back to usual. Still, we dont know what it will be like to walk into visiting arenas as the national champions.The Wildcats were the overwhelming choice of the Big East coaches as the preseason No. 1. Xavier, which finished in last seasons final Top Ten , was second followed by Creighton, Georgetown, defending Big East Tournament champion Seton Hall, Butler, Marquette, St. Johns, Providence and DePaul.Villanova lost starters Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu and it wont be their points, rebounds or assists that will be hard to replace.Arch and Daniel were natural leaders. They were seniors. They played a lot of basketball and knew how to lead, Wright said. It will be tough to replace them, but well enjoy the journey.Wright has Big East preseason player of the year Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins, who hit the 3 at the buzzer for the national title, among the returnees.Roles change every year, so Josh and I will try to take over the leadership role, Jenkins said. Well put last year behind us. At least well try to.Jenkins was asked how often he watches the tape of his title-winning jumper.I havent watched it in a while, he said. Ill save something like that for when Im done playing.Xavier has three starters back and the Musketeers are a trendy national pick for a Final Four berth.We have a good experienced group. I think Im excited to coach them, coach Chris Mack said. Last year, there was a lot of teaching, a lot of learning. Youre always learning, but the experience level they bring back gives you great comfort as a coach because theyve been there before. Theyve been in those big games. Theyre not afraid of the big moment.Preseason first-teamers Trevon Bluiett and Edmond Sumner return for the Musketeers.To me Edmond was one of the top point guards in a tremendous point-guard league a year ago, Mack said. Edmond has that maturity about him. Hes going to have another really good year for us.Georgetown forward Isaac Copeland was honest in the reason why he thinks the Hoyas will have a better season than last year, when they finished 15-18 overall and eighth in the 10-team league.Mainly conditioning, Copeland said when asked what the Hoyas did this offseason. There were times last year when we were out of shape, just straight up out of shape. I think this year we run a lot more so we can push the ball more and play at a much faster pace.Seton Hall beat Villanova in last seasons Big East Tournament championship game and then had to watch the Wildcats win it all.I watched it. It was killing me to watch it, Pirates junior Khadeen Carrington said. Im happy that they won. It shows how deep the league is, how good the league is.I think we gave them that fuel to go win that. I think Jay Wright said something like that, we gave them that fuel to go out and win six games.The preseason all-conference team is Jenkins, Bluiett, Sumner, Kelan Marton, Butler and Maurice Watson Jr. of Creighton.Custom Oklahoma City Thunder Jerseys . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Custom Arizona Coyotes Jerseys . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. https://www.cheapcustomjerseysonline.com/custom-calgary-flames-jerseys/ . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. Custom Dallas Cowboys Jerseys . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. Fake Custom Jerseys . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday.Frances Romain Langasque claimed a share of the halfway lead in the Omega European Masters as he chased a first European Tour title just months after turning professional.Langasque added a flawless 63 to his opening 68 at Crans-sur-Sierre to finish nine under par, a total later matched by Englands Richard Bland and Australias Richard Green.The 21-year-old Langasque only turned professional after finishing 39th in the Masters in April, his trip to Augusta National secured by winning the Amateur Championship at Carnoustie last year.But the world No. 209 is already set to earn his full European Tour card via the Challenge Tour - he tops the rankings after six top-five finishes - and could secure a two-year exemption with victory in the Swiss Alps.This is really cool, but thats what I want to do every week, so I will do my best now and we will see, Langasque told Sky Sports after a round containing five birdies and an eagle.Im quite sure I will be on the European Tour next year, so I play without pressure. If I play good thats cool and if I play bad then it is no problem. I have nothing to lose. I have no pressure and maybe thats why I can play good.In contrast to Langasque, Bland and Green have played more than 800 European Tour events between them, with Bland still seeking his first victory.The 43-year-old carded seven birdies and one bogey in his 64, while left-hander Green - whose last of three wins ccame in 2010 - held the outright lead after a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th before dropping his only shot of the day on the 17th.ddddddddddddSwedens Alex Noren matched Langasques 63 to share fourth place with Australian Scott Hend and Canadas Richard Lee on eight under, with Englands Andrew Johnston part of a five-strong group another stroke behind.Defending champion Danny Willett had also been just two off the lead when he recovered from a bogey on the fourth with birdies on the sixth, seventh and ninth, but bogeyed the next two holes and then ran up a quadruple-bogey on the 12th after twice finding the water short of the green.Willett bounced back with birdies on the 14th and 18th to finish three under par and saw playing partner and Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick produce an even better finish to make the cut.Fitzpatrick was seven over par for his first 14 holes on Thursday and eventually signed for a 75, but went 10 shots better on Friday and survived on the mark of level par thanks to four birdies in the last five holes.The final member of the Ryder Cup threesome, Andy Sullivan, almost pulled off the same feat after an opening 74, only to see his birdie chip on the 18th catch the edge of the hole and stay out. Sullivans 67 meant he missed the cut by a shot. ' ' '