Evening Rumble: the Diallo/ Briscoe dream is alive, Jakarr Sampson vs Orlando Sanchez, more links

This Friday is Red Storm Tip-Off; meanwhile, a couple of former players played against each other last night. In the NBA.

If you follow recruiting, this is a tasty, tasty nugget:

Hearing from a source, Isaiah Briscoe has been in Cheick Diallo's ear about St. John's. Huge weekend for the Johnnies. #sjubb

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) October 15, 2014

The dream of an ace recruiting class of Briscoe and Diallo is alive! (And maybe Brandon Sampson too.) By the way, Briscoe doesn't want a coach who yells at him and embarrass him, so you know.

Another vote for Rysheed Jordan as a breakout player in this year's college basketball season, this time from SB Nation.

Coach Steve Lavin praised Jordan late last year, noting his improvement from the beginning of the season to the end. After a summer of working on his game, Jordan can make a run at All Big East honors.

Orlando Sanchez and Jakarr Sampson were on the court together last night:

They made it @NBA. #StJohns @StJohnsNow pic.twitter.com/93XOvR8hFK

— The Fresh Prince (@BornVerified) October 15, 2014

Sampson got a start and contributed solidly, putting up nine points on 3/4 shooting, even hitting a three-pointer AND going 2/3 from the free throw line. Sampson also had four rebounds (all defensive), one assist, one foul, one steal and three turnovers in the 84-77 loss to the New York Knicks in Syracuse.

Orlando Sanchez played for a minute and logged no statistics.

DePaul's future arena is scheduled for a groundbreaking this winter.

Note, once again, that it's not actually DePaul's arena - it's owned by the city's Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (McPier), the group that owns the convention center, and will be leased by DePaul for their needed dates.

But DePaul is putting in $70 million towards the effort.

ALSO: we commented on ESPN's preview of the Big East.

On other tracks

HBO for everyone, a la carte? Even if you cut the cord? An intriguing move from the makers of Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire.

Why DID your start-up fail? In pie charts.

Is homework... unnecessary?