The three walk on's for Villanova will be graduating and it started me thinking about next year. The walk ons are really important to our program and play the role of our opponents in practice. The group this year was particularly good at getting scholarship players up to snuff in practice. Next year Jay will be replacing 3 of them. How does he find these kids? Does he ask for volunteers or seach the campus for them?

These kids have to learn our system just like the regular guys. Since we have a couple of new regulars plus new walk on's, how does that affect getting the kids sharp for the season. Just some of my random thoughts and was wondering what others think on this.

O'Connell just tossed a hawk.
The joes have led most of game by double digits. VCU mounting a late game comeback.

Here's a nice recap by the BCT with a video that shows a little more behind the scenes. Nothing earthshattering just some footage of the team coming off the court to the locker room and Jay giving Patty and his kids(I'm assuming) a big hug.

This paragraph from the article managed to throw in a reference from A Christmas Story:

"That determination ended up playing out like Ralphie from “A Christmas Story,” taking care of the bully who pelted him with snowballs. Villanova absolutely pummeled a slow-footed Hawkeyes team, cutting off shooting lanes while moving the ball at the other end with such precise execution that Iowa was always a step behind. The Wildcats went into halftime with a whopping 54-29 lead that made the second half an unnecessary exercise mandated by NCAA rules."

On this site the articles/video go behind a pay wall after 24 hours after being posted unfortunately, so it'll be gone at 4:30PM today.

Of course if we lost today that would not be on my mind. But this has been a tremendous tournament so far. Epic comebacks, unbelievable upsets, and half dozen buzzer beaters. The David vs Goliath format makes the first weekend must watch TV. This is why I really don't fear the football schools splitting and having their own tournament.

If your not watching. Texas AM just scored 14 points in 31 seconds. To tie the game. Wholly sh t.
Over time. Tru TV

All good.

in ~41 seconds to force OT

Finally. It's been a long time coming. Onward to Louisville.

NEXT !!

patsox must be enjoying watching one of his boys on the big stage!

here is the blog submitted by this year's student tournament challenge contest winner here on VUSports:
http://vusportssubmission2016.weebly.com/

well done, jstamour1024!

Thanks to DC_VU_Chapter for spearheading the contest again this year - he is a great Villanovan!

Certainly don't have the look of a 1 to me.

They really look tight. Unable to get the ball inside.

The announcers were completely mystified why Jay put the starters back in with 90 seconds left. I'm sitting here saying Jay took them out to soon, and he put them back in to not allow it to get any closer. It was so obvious yet Verne and his partner were stupified. Post game Jay said it was because he got scared. I loved it when Verne said it was for the fans who can't travel to Louisville.

Article on CBS, I don't know how to copy and paste from my phone. I didn't realize that Dixon played at TCU. Gary Patterson has made their football team a national player, I'm sure they see Dixon as someone who could do the same with the hoops team.

Watch other games without a sense of dread or depression!

There's a small chance that the wife and I don't converse tomorrow for 2 reasons:
1. She's a 2003 alum of Iowa. If Cats win, she'll be happy that I'm not in a bad mood and we'll be good. If Hawkeyes win, hmmm, I hope I can forgive her.
2. I go on a 6 month deployment to El Salvador on Monday morning 0500. Tomorrow, obviously, is our last family day. The fact that I've informed her that it's "must watch TV" has, for some crazy reason, perturbed her. Luckily, here in Hawaii, the game starts at 0610. Should be over by 0930. Phew.

BTW - my little brother is a Hawkeye - we've already decided to not talk tomorrow.

Go CATS

ace, got a real random one for ya, what was your old signature? The one that was something along the lines of "the best response to fools is silence"? Also, where is that quote from? Thank you sir.

Their average seed faced is 11.6 over 12 games.

Northern Iowa up 12 with 44 seconds to go, turn it over four times to give up the tying bucket with 2 seconds left, now going to OT.

All the player had to do was throw it down the court and the game is over...taking the last SEC team with it.

amazing game. Aggies come back from 11 in last mi ute including a 10-2 run in last 22 seconds to send it to OT.

Did critics now see why Jay sent starters back in today with 90 seconds left. ANYTHING can happen in the tourney!

Nova -4.5

He is the key to beating Miami. BTW wasn't he at Kansas State when Beasley was there? He's gotta be 24 years old by now.

I used to prefer the 1 3 2 1 set up where you had a game at non, 3 at 2ish, 2 at 4 30 ish and one evening game. Is it really better to have all these games at night? I am hooped out