I normally sleep like a baby but found myself awake last night thinking about the game and the season. I keep thinking about what could of been if Dylan's shot fell and we won. I normally don't post much but thought it would be therapeutic to share my thoughts:

Sorry formatting is messed up for some reason

a) First, Kudos to Eric and the VU Sports members for creating such a great community. I have been a member since day one and started reading posts on the AOL board. I love reading the board especially the recruiting info and the player analysis. It is amazing how the internet has changed everything as I remember how I used to get excited when my Big East Briefs and Bob Gibbons report came in the mail so I could read the recruiting info.



b) I watch every game - she my wife thinks I am crazy. I have been moving around the country with my company for the last 12 years (live in Texas now) so Iam lucky to go to a game or 2 a year. However, I am very excited to be moving back to Northern Virginia next year which will make it much easier to come up to Villanova to see games.

c) My love for college basketball started when I was in high school when I lived in Northern Va.
I grew up routing for Maryland because of the great teams they had in the 80's with Adrian Branch and Len Bias.
Of course, that all changed when I went to Villanova in 1982. I went to as many games as I could but
Engineering kicked by butt freshman and sophomore year. After I graduated, I had season tickets for 5
year while I lived in NJ but gave them up when I went to grad school at Duke.




d) As the older board members know, the 1985 run to the championship was beyond magically and was just an incredible time. I was a junior at the time and it was one of the most exciting times of my life. I am sure it is the same for many board members but that experience makes every March special to me because you never know what can happen. The tournament is such an amazing event and I am very thankful that under Jay we make it most years.
e) It has been well documented, but we have just been very unlucky over the years under Jay's tenure. We have had key injuries (Sumpter), bad calls (Ray's travel), and been very unlucky with some of our matchups (actually Uconn and NC ST both should have lost in the first round). We also have lost to the eventual champion 5 out our last 9 appearance - let's go NC ST. I think Jay said it well that the he and the team needs to learn from this and get better. I believe our time
will come.

f) As for the game, I keep seeing the Dylan 3 point shot in my head and keep saying what if? Man if his shot goes down and we won the game who knows what could of have happened - our confidence would be ski high for sure.

g) The game brought back all the same feelings I had last year in the UConn game. I was confident going into the game but started to get very nervous as the 1st half played out. Then after the last second 3 pointer, I said oh crap looks like tonight is not our night. Besides the SH game last year, it had been a while since those type of things happened - at least since Cheek's left.


h) As the second half progressed, I became more nervous and actually could feel my heart beating through my chest and then as we got further behind I has losing it.


i) At the 2:00 minute mark, I was resigned to losing and said to myself I can't believe we are going to lose in the second round again after such a great year.


j) Then Darrun starting hitting 3 pt bombs all over the place and I said maybe. Then NC St turns it over and we have the ball down 2 with 25 seconds left. Can't ask for a better opportunity after the way we played. Man I wish we had a time out. In the end, we couldn't of asked for a better shot, a wide open 3 at the top of the key. It just didn't go in. It is amazing how sports can come down to a couple of inches - one inch shorter and maybe the 3 drops and we are getting
pumped for Friday night.
k) Kudos to Darrun - he did what seniors are supposed to do - he put the team on his back and almost willed us to

victory. I wish we could have gotten him the last shot.

l) You have to give NC ST credit, their guards make some big time plays in the second half and their bigs very getting every rebound. They answered every one of our runs.

m) I was thinking about where this game ranks in terms of our most disappointing loses. For now, I would say it is tied with Uconn last year and FL in 2006. The most disappoint lose to me in the last 20 years is the Old Dominion lose because they were a 13 seed and because we had multiple chances to win the game at the end of regulation and OT.


n) Tournament success is special but so is the success we had the last couple of years. It has been an amazing run and Jay and the kids deserve a ton of credit. Villanova has had many mediocre teams under Massimino, Lappas and even under Jay. As a long time die-hard fan I really appreciate what Jay has built and accomplished over the last couple of years. As we know from 2012 and as BEEFER said, it is a thin line that separates success and failure.

o) We are very very lucky to have Jay. The program is in great shape and what he is accomplishing in the new Big East is simply amazing. I am confident our time will come and we will make a March run soon. We just need a little luck and some good match ups.

p) I love what Villanova stands for in college athletics. At the same time, I really hate want KY standsfor with their one and dones. It is really a joke because half of the players stop going to class the day after they lose their last game. I am very much hoping someone plays a great game and beats them. I also don't like Calipari because of his recruitment of Bobby Martin back in the 80s. Losing Bobby really set the program back.
q) On a selfish note, the one good thing about Villanova not making the final four this years is that applications will not go up next year. I have a junior who is planning to apply.


r) Again, thanks to Jay and the team for what they accomplished this year. Next season is along way away but I will still enjoy the journey although I know I will be awreck come next March

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This post was edited on 3/26 4:11 PM by Patm

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I will have trouble watching, may only watch certain teams.......I still like watching Duke because I always find myself wanting them to lose, although I have a ton of respect for Coach K....
Now, other then Xaxier for the obvious reason of the conference affiliation......Give me a team and the reason why you want to see them win it all.....

I have a junior VU ChemE looking for summer opportunities in the Philadelphia/Wilmington area. She is open to anything that will keep her around Philly for the summer. If you have any leads/connections, I would be extremely grateful for your help. She has applied to several locations/posting via NOVA JOBS but nothing has hit so far. She also indicated that several of her ChemE classmates are in the same position...not many with summer internships.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!!!! I can be reached on email at jerryquinn_us@yahoo.com

To interview @ DePaul this weekend per ESPN

I'm sure you are busy,and it doesn't need to be on the pinned thread,just a short capsule post,Thanks.....seems like most HSchools are done with season.....Thanks....all other connected guys are very welcome and would be appreciated too....

This post was edited on 3/24 10:42 AM by cardealerbob

SO SOME WANT MORE BEEF...SOME WANT MORE SIXE...SOME WANT MORE LENGTH...SOME SAY TEAMS ARE TOO SMALL.......HERE IS A HISTORICAL LOOK . I DID NOT COUNT THE LAST TWO YEARS SINCE WE WON....SIXTY TWO OUT OF SEVENTY GAMES......SO HERE GOES..2012 2013. MAURICE SUTTON SIX FOOT ELEVEN, MOUPH YAROU SIX FOOT TEN,,,DANIEL OCHEFU SIX FOOT TEN., JAVON PINKSTON SIX FOOT SEVEN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY POUNDS....AND MARCUS KENNEDY...SIX FOOT NINE.....WHO TRANSFERED PRIOR TO THE SEASON......THAT IS AS BIG AS IT GETS IN THIS COUNTRY.............2011 2012,,,,MARCUS KENNEDY. SIX FOOT NINE, JAVON PINKSTON SIX FOOT SEVEN LISTED AT TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY POUNDS , MOUPH YAROU.....SIX FOOT TEN. ,MAURICE SUTTON, SIX FOOT ELEVEN..............2010 2011 SEASON. ISIAH ARMWOOD,SIX FOOT EIGHT JUMPIN JACK, MOUPH YAROU SIX FOOT TEN. , JAVON PINKSTON. SIX FOOT SEVEN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY POUNDS. ,ANTONIO PENA. SIX FOOT EIGHT. ,MAURICE SUTTON SIX FOOT ELEVEN..........THINK ABOUT THAT ONCE,PLEASE.............NOW..... FINAL FOUR TEAM.....2008 2009. DEWAYNE ANDERSON. SIX FOOT SIX....SHANE CLARK SIX FOOT SIX. DANTE CUNNINGHAM ...SIX FOOT EIGHT.....TONE PENA...SIX FOOT EIGHT.......SMALLEST TEAM IN tTHE ERA....BY FAR..."..........ALMOST EVERY FRONTCOURT PLAYER WAS RANKED AMONG THE NATIONS TOP HUNDRED RECUITS BY SOME RANKING........JAY WRIGHTS FIRST BIG HE RECUITED TO VILLANOVA WAS JASON FRASER SIX FOOT TEN......RANKED NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION...

This post was edited on 3/25 1:37 PM by BEEFER.

Sorry originally posted on benchwarmers and didn't realize. Youtube question.

Looking to post a home video made for a recent Disney trip to Youtube. Can't seem to get the video posted because of copywritten music. Any thoughts on how to get around this? Just looking to share with family and friends.

Nova - NIT (ugh)

Butler - Puerto Rico
Seton Hall - Charleston
Georgetown - 2K NYC
Marquette - Legends BK
DePaul - Paradise Jam
Providence - Wooden Legacy CA
St. John's - Maui
Creighton - MGM Classic
Xavier - Orlando

So I look at my news feed today and Broken Lizard is pretty much holding its fans hostage by saying you have to donate for them to release a movie they have already written the script for.

Now I liked Super Troopers 1, I have probably watched it close 35 times, saying that I would not donate a single dollar for a sequel to any movie.

Thoughts?

Nice set of dunks from a dunk contest that Donte participated in. Cool short clip. Athletic dude!

Maybe Dax gets steamrolled but I promise he won't be scurred!!!!

B Boys makin with the freak freak

I am sure dmill will tell us how influential he was.

Gene Simmons Will Miss Him

We had the same outcome as the big12. The ACC was a few breaks from some big upsets. Its March. Don't forget how this season started. The big east will be fine.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

nm

Did anyone happen to take a picture of the big screen of the V, baby V and momma V when they showed us up there?

As a team, what will improve? What won't be as good? I personally think the offense can and will be even better next year, with the defense taking a step down, especially in the first half of the season. I think they have potential to be as good defensively but a lot of that depends on the improvements of players on that end of the court, as well as improvements as a unit that lost 2 big defensive pieces in DH and JVP. What do you guys think?

Temple seems to be able to get these home and home with tier 1 schools.
Hopefully Nova can moving forward.

Owls v Badgers

Taking a few days to digest the loss I was able to come up with a few thoughts that I took away from this season. I know most of us are still depressed from the loss, but life moves on and so does the program.

1) First, I want to thank JVP and DH, not only for this season but their four years. The transformation DH made from his Freshman year to now was nothing short than awesome. He is truly a special player for this program as a player and representative. I hope he gets drafted. JVP will go down as one of my favorite players, a player that stuck with us even after he sat out his first year. He was huge for the program. I loved watching him play every game, so tough. I will miss these two player, good luck in the future.

2) Josh Hart, he had a un real year. This kid is so tough and sacrifices so much on the court. The improvement he made shooting the ball was amazing. I still like him attacking the basket more, but his shooting has dramatically improved and a stress that word in terms of his shooting for his senior year in high school and now. Josh, in my opinion, is going to have a huge year next year, possibly first or second team BE.

3) Ochefu, for the most part, I loved how Daniel played this year. The improvement on the offensive end has been very good. I loom forward to seeing how he improves this summer. I think he will take another step or two, no reason to believe he won't from the previous two summers.

4) I think I am most excited to see how Booth comes back next year, I am a huge fan. Personally, I think he is next in line for great guards. He exceeded expectations this year. I look forward to seeing a note seasoned Booth next year. I think he is going to be he most notable improved player next year. He played poised, tough, and smart all year.

5) Arch/Ennis, I thought both of these two were solid for most of the year. Arch's all BE team speaks for itself. This point is more about looking forward to seeing these two lead and lead guards next year for this team. I really like the fact that we have two senior guards together.

Future:
1) I am intrigued to see how Bridges looks going into next year. I think he will give us more than what is thought, he can shoot the ball.

2) I think we are going to plug Brunson in and roll right along. I look for Brunson to find the niche early on and run with it the whole season, he will be a huge part of next years success. Simply said, he is elite and I think we will see flashes of that next year. I will say, that we should keep in mind to temper expectations with him and let him find his way first.

3) Besides Brunson, can the other players in the 2015 class give us something? In my opinion, I really don't think we will see much of Donte of TD next year, but I have been wrong before.

4) Personally, I consider the season a success. I tend to look at the totality of the season and don't narrow it down to one game. Sure, it is dissapointing we lost to NC State so early, but that does not change my mind, I still consider it a success. I look forward to seeing how we can advance further next year and years to come. Jay has a system and he is going to recruit to that. I trust Jay knows what he is doing.

Recruiting season:

Simply, enjoy it, it is one of my favorite times of the year. Prospects emerge and improve during this time. Names will come to surafce in the coming months that could play a huge part to recruiting classes.

Go Cats.

This isn't good

BE TV ratings

While I had my doubts with Pittsburgh (having last been there as a HS senior to test/interview for Pitts Honors Program in the 90s-thank god I didn't choose that), this turned out to be a great trip(heartbreaking result aside).

Hit the road from Jersey Thursday morning with Darryl(the non-posting PublicEnemy#1) and had a smooth ride out(loved the 70mph zones on the PA Turnpike, but not the $20 toll and ignorant tractor trailer drivers). Took a break at a rest stop a couple hours outside Pittsburgh and had the fortune of running into theV, mommyV, and babyV so we had some great company while enjoying some Popeyes for lunch. Completed the rest of the trip and checked in to the great suite at the hotel NovaNut hooked us up with just outside the city, before heading to the Renaissance for the pregame.

We just missed the team sendoff, but were able to catch up with many friends and scotches(ADP-thanks for the Glen Livet 18s). Made the walk over to the arena with a throng of alumni including my Nova elders Ace and EdMcM, as well as Father Peter, who loved my Nova Starter jacket that had arrived with perfect timing the day before departure. We met up with CMac who was able to hook us up with some lower level extras he had. Picked up another friend at the hotel party next door and headed in. Lack of alcohol was disappointing as always at the NCAA but our seats we great and we enjoyed the Nova thrashing. We made our first bad decision of the trip leaving when LSU was up 14 at half. Headed down to Carson St where we did some bar hopping and disappointingly watched the NC State comeback from the bar instead of in the building. We split after a while, with me heading to the Casino and my buddies to an "After-Hours" spot(in reflection, a responsible decision on my part as the place they ended up at was $20 cover for open bar and unclad entertainment, which probably would have cost me more than the couple hundred I lost getting bad beat at the poker tables a few hands after lucking into quads). Called it a night and met the crew back at the hotel to find out one of them had been thrown out of the after hours spot(definitely a good call on my part).

Friday was a nice relaxing day recovering and hanging out with Nova folks, first at the Nova event at Olive or Twist, then at Red Beard watching all the games with Ace, PeterN, EdMcM, NovaNut, TanMan, my crew and many others. My crew left around 9 to go get ready to hit the town, and when I got back to the hotel after the games they were passed out having slept thru their alarms after trying to catch a power nap (Amateurs-Its hard to find good help these days).

Finally Saturday arrived and we headed back to the Renaissance. After sending the team off, we had a few cocktails and PeterN was able to provide us with 2 tickets, and another alum assisted us in finding a third. An unnamed board member supplied us with coffee cups and Wild Turkey American Honey on ice for our travels over to the arena (not trying to throw anyone under the bus, but you know who you are and thank you). We headed over to the game and settled into our seats upstairs in the Nova section.

What happened has been thoroughly discussed, but here were my few takes.
1. Everyone around me can vouch that I had supreme confidence in this team, I was never nervous or unsettled until there was about a minute left in the game. This team had been in some tight spots(Michigan, Syracuse, Butler, Creighton, etc) and I had no doubt in my mind we would pull it out until we didn't.
2. Game analysis:
a. Came down to us missing a ton of shots inside and out that we had been making all season.
b. Hart's tick-tacky 2nd foul took him out of the flow of the game and hurt us both on offense and the boards. If he was more into the flow I think he knocks down that corner 3 as he rarely misses from the left corner.
c. The 4-pt play, no-call, buzzer beater sequence at the end of the half was a huge momentum swing.
d. I don't know if it wasn't as obvious on tv as I haven't watched the game yet, but the reason Ennis played more than Booth was that Booth kept getting lost on defense. They highlighted on the Jumbotron at least a couple times where he got shook off the dribble.
e. Hilliard and JVP refused to give up and kept us in the game.
f. Despite all of the downsides, we still had wide open 3 to take the lead but it wasn't to be.
3. I was stunned and in disbelief at the buzzer and watched in a daze as the team shook hands and left the court. I'm not sure if they showed it on tv, but the most heartbreaking thing to see was JVP distraught with his jersey pulled over his face as Father Rob guided him off the court.

I sat in shock thru the break and into the start of the ND-Butler game while I got a handle on my emotions and delayed the hunt for the bottom of a Jack bottle. With some prodding from Ace and EdMcM, we headed back to the team hotel. We arrived to a somber but supportive crowd of alumni and grabbed a drink. Welcoming the team back was emotional but everyone was ultra-supportive as they walked in, with Jay, JVP and Darrun getting the biggest ovations. Jay led the team upstairs then return to talk to us about owning the loss, the pride of the seniors, and the appreciation for all of Nova Nation. A few more cocktails and the team began to trickle down after finishing their meeting. I was able to chat with JVP for a few minutes to thank him and let him know proud I was of him and the team. I started to make my way over to Darrun, but saw he was still having an emotional moment with his family so I detoured back to the bar. That was the moment that almost broke me. I could deal with wins and losses, as I am fully accepting of the "Any Given Sunday" mentality, but seeing the devastation experienced by one of our leaders and favorite players brought a few tears to my eyes. Had a quick chat with Fannon before he hit the road. A few more drinks while catching up with more Alums and some staff members(Brook Sales' girlfriend is a 14 on a 1-to-10 scale by the way, a fellow board member recommended to him to put a ring on it), and the decision was made to hit the casino again. Luckily due to a broken lighter, I had time to hop back inside, and finally ran into Darrun. We talked for a few minutes about his journey, our chat in the Bahamas about us Nova lefties sticking together, and for me to thank him and wish him luck. I told him I would be shopping for that #4 jersey next year, whatever NBA team it might be(just please don't be the Celtics, I can't wear Boston shit). Finally caught a cab, by the time we got there last call had been reached(1 a.m. on a Saturday night in a casino, WTF?!?), and after some lackluster performance we decided to bail and hit up Primanti Bros. ADP, Darryl, and I ran into NovaNut there, and after destroying a giant corned-beef sandwich we called it a night...or so I thought.

As my head hit the pillow, my throat started to bother me(under the weather plus 10 days of screaming) and I started having coughing fits. After a while I headed down to the lobby to get a hot cup of tea, and as the manager got me some hot water, drama commenced. A white stretch limo pulled up and a young man got out followed by a young woman falling out onto the ground. They staggered into the hotel and started screaming because there was no one at the front desk. I was at the other side of the lobby and they couldn't see me, but I watched the manager come out and when he saw them he just shook his head. They verbally abused him and cursed him out for calling the cops on them the previous night. He tried to be courteous and assist them with a room key, but the room was not in their name. The female starts screaming about going to the bathroom and proceeds to go behind the front desk and start entering offices looking for one. When she didn't respond to the manager trying to stop her, he got on the phone and within 60 seconds the cops were there, as the police station was 3 doors down. He explained the situation, then asked if he could finish helping me, pointing me out across the lobby. They consented and he finally got me my water. He proceeded to tell me the same two had come in the previous night with the roles reversed and the guy basically crawling on all fours thru the lobby to the elevators. At this point the commotion started up again, as the girl refused to talk to the police and kept trying to get on the elevator. She was restrained and they had to carry her to the police car as she refused to get off the floor. The manager went back to speak to one of the officers and I finished making my tea. The man tried to get loud with the police and they threatened to arrest him as well so he calmed down. I then proceeded to walk through the cluster of people, thanked the manager for his help, wished the officers a good night and finally headed to bed.

Packed up in the morning and ran into NovaNut, Ace, and EdMcM in the lobby checking out and we stopped and had a delicious brunch before finally hitting the road. Had an uneventful trip back, other than being stuck behind a cop for about 100 miles on the turnpike, unable to go over the speed limit as he personally caused a traffic jam. I called in a warning to the Ace-mobile, but an hour in I thought they were going to get nabbed as they sped by, only to slow next to him and sneak by. Maybe he was out of his jurisdiction(I couldn't tell if he was a Statey) but the Worm plays no games with that. A stop for dinner and part of the late games, a side trip to Newark to drop Darryl off after missing the train near my house, and I was home, worn out, heartbroken, sick, and not looking forward to the return to the daily grind, canceling a couple long weekends off my upcoming work calendar.

My final thoughts on the trip are those of disappointment in the result, but a bunch of great experiences with the family that is both VUSports and Nova Nation. To those mentioned above, plus quality time with many other great people like NovaUSMC01, Beefer(and his gun to the head questions), Shananigans, and many more I am sure I am forgetting, thank you for a great time. "Any Given Sunday(or Saturday in this case)" can happen and did. But I have never been more proud of this team, my school, and everyone involved for the way we made it through this weekend. JVP and Darrun will be missed for the blood, sweat, and tears they shed for Nova, but they will continue to be great examples for Villanova as their lives move forward, and the next group will step up. As Ace said, 208 days until practice.

Harris will graduate from Prov and use his last year at another institution.

Like most of us, this loss is particularly difficult, given the post season results since 2009 and our general concerns about the quality of our new conference.

After almost 48 hours of off and on reflection and watching a few other games...I'm sure there is no magic answer to our questions. It's complex and layered.

Is our conference too weak to make us march ready? Maybe...but Wichita St. isn't in a better conference...neither is Gonzaga.

So did they have better matchups? Maybe...I think we would have beaten Kansas or Iowa or the like.

Ultimately, the answer that makes the most sense to me is talent.

Wichita St. won yesterday because Baker and VanFleet were the most talented players on the floor.

I maintain that talent-wise (and not saying "talent" shows up every night)...

Lacy > Nova guards

Abu > Ochefu

Nard Freeman > Pinkston

and certainly Barber was the quickest player on the floor.

This isn't a knock on our guys in the least...just saying NC State has 3-5 guys who have greater leaping, speed, quickness, strength.

Our 2005-2009 teams had some guys who were just more talented than our current players...Foye, Lowry, Sumpter when healthy, Fischer, Reynolds...

We created matchup nightmares for teams which made teams knuckle under in March.

We have great kids who play their hearts out...and Hillard really tried to put us on his back at the end of the game...but we got out-talented Saturday, and last year against UConn.

Bob Hurley and UB have comes to terms, per multiple sources, on a new contract. Will be the highest paid coach in the MAC.