From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

I think one of the most intriguing pieces of news in the last week was the discussions between the 76ers and Jay Wright, a clear case of the frog wooing Prince Charming. I'm not as quick as most to write them off as mere window dressing. A lot of college coaches with big salaries and secure jobs on leafy campuses - campi? - have been tempted by the NBA's bigger spotlight and bankrolls. And if he doesn't ever go to the NBA, then surely Wright is destined to fend off many tempting offers from bigger, richer state schools. How long can Villanova keep him?

From: Jensen, Mike
To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Fox, Ashley
Subject: The Wright stuff

I'm not writing it off, either. Wright could have gone to Kentucky when Gillispie got that job. That had to be at least a little tempting. Jay knows he's in a great spot, literally. He can recruit the East Coast, his natural base. But at some point, if he keeps riding high, there will be something out there he'll have trouble turning away from. Jay's buddy, Larry Brown, might recommend him to take over the Tar Heels one day. Or whenever Calhoun leaves UConn, the Huskies might open up the purse strings. Meanwhile, NBA teams are growing more reluctant to offer huge money to college guys. Remember Mike Montgomery? Lon Kruger? They both went back to campi richer but with their reputations slightly damaged.

From: Fox, Ashley
To: Jensen, Mike; Fitzpatrick, Frank
Subject: The Wright stuff

Wright can obviously stay at Villanova for as long as he chooses, but, like Fitzy, I thought for sure he'd have some type of serious conversation with the Sixers. At some point, there will be too much money on the table for him to turn his back on a suitor, be it an NBA team or a larger university. Everybody knows Wright loves it here, is a Philly guy, and has just about everything he needs at 'Nova. But you don't have to walk away from the college game for long to achieve financial security, and, like Montgomery, you can always go back. I would bet Wright will make the college-to-pro jump at some point, maybe when his kids are a little older and he doesn't have a loaded recruiting class on the way in.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank
To: Fox, Ashley; Jensen, Mike
Subject: The Wright stuff

I always thought that given his urban sensibilities and his links to New York, he'd be perfect as the guy to turn St. John's around, tapping into all that talent that continues to leave the city.  

From: Jensen, Mike
To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Fox, Ashley
Subject: The Wright stuff

I'd bet against Wright ever coaching in the NBA unless there is some offer he just can't refuse. He also realized when he took the 'Nova job that St. John's had more obstacles. He's not going back to that.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank
To: Jensen, Mike; Fox, Ashley
Subject: The Wright stuff

What kind of obstacles? BQE traffic?

From: Jensen, Mike
To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Fox, Ashley
Subject: The Wright stuff

The BQE. The Grand Central Parkway. The Van Wyck. Commuter schools don't make the Final Four anymore.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank
To: Jensen, Mike; Fox, Ashley
Subject: The Wright stuff

You'd better explain that to Dunph.

From: Fox, Ashley
To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Jensen, Michael
Subject: The Wright stuff

And, for that matter, to Pitino and Calipari.

From: Jensen, Michael
To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Fox, Ashley
Subject: The Wright stuff

Have you guys been to North Broad Street in the last 10 years? I know a bunch of students, and none of them commute.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank
To: Jensen, Mike; Fox, Ashley
Subject: The Wright stuff

You mean they no longer take the 104 to 69th Street, the Market Street El to City Hall, and the Broad Street Subway to Columbia Avenue? Damn. Is Harry Litwack still there?

From: Fox, Ashley
To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Jensen, Mike
Subject: The Wright stuff

I am officially bowing out of this discussion.