Every other year during late March and early April, this board is full of Donofrio reports. Not this year. Obviously our attention has been elsewhere. Nevertheless, I miss the scouting reports.

Eric, ace, et al... vacation is over. Get up to the Fell and get some reports please.

Thanks in advance.

PS If you stop by the Conshohocken Ballet for a post-game beverage, tell Cinnamon I say hello

Seems to be the number one phrase as I look at the videos. 2 questions. 1. What did you say 2. We know what Jay said. Would love to know what our president yelled

Mine was the one above with a middle name that started w f and ended with g. (Sorry mom).

Here is the updated list - as of Kris Jenkins' jumper ...

http://rvls.co/1SDkGpI

PS: please note the length of this article - no click bait, not broken into 25 pieces, no bull-shit ... enjoy.

May be my favorite
http://www.crossingbroadstore.com/i...dapparel/bang-shirt.html#sthash.8FtlNQlN.dpbs

in case you didn't know, this is Villanova's 20th team National Championship:

• Men’s Basketball – 1985, 2016
• Men’s Cross Country – 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970
• Men’s Indoor Track & Field – 1968, 1971, 1979
• Men’s Outdoor Track & Field – 1957
• Football - 2009
• Women’s Cross Country – 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2009, 2010

Alex Kline just tweeted That We offered as did SH. I thought we had offered already?

Got that #1 seed.......

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

sorry is someone else posted this.......

I just wanted to give a huge thumbs up to the athletic department and the administration for making the weekend in Houston a great time. Making the pre-game party on Saturday accessible to folks who were not on the prime sports package, setting up the pre-game party on Monday, ensuring that everyone could party post game (even though the hotel wanted to keep things a bit more low key after the win), the mass on Sunday, and the treatment of fans, family, alumni, etc. was TRULY first class all the way. I probably paid more for hotel rooms than I would have liked, but it was well worth it!

It looks like they continued the performance on-campus as well with the game watch in the pavilion, cancelling classes, the returning pep rally, working with the city for the parade, etc.

Villanova USED to get some criticism for thinking a bit small time, they "big-timed" everything this final four weekend, really did a great job. Not sure who led the charge, but they all deserve a huge pat on the back for helping make it a great weekend

My buddy was at the championship game and they were distributing cans of coke with a V with national champions 2016 on it. Will they be for sale in the philly area? And is there any way I can get a Philadelphia Inquirer or Daily News from 4/4/2016

Thanks.

Warning Long Post!

First off I need give someone credit. A few months ago after we lost to Providence I met up with one of my best childhood friends. He had watched the Providence game, he is a big time UCONN fan. He told me that day that Nova was going to win a National Championship. He said they have the “it” factor, he said he knows what the “it” factor is because he has seen UCONN teams with it. Said you cant describe it, its just there. When he said that I got the chills but I thought maybe he knows it and I just don’t. He texted me on Saturday and said I told you so.

Now on to the weekend journey:

I have always thought karma plays a huge role in life. The minute I stepped on the plane late Friday I had a good feeling about the weekend but as the days progressed things just got better and better.

First off, my plane was a bunch of Nova seniors, they all said the same thing how could we miss this. It made me reflect in 2006 to my journey to Minneapolis and besides the bad turbulence its all I could think about. Right as I landed I get a message from a good friend who I went to Minneapolis with, he was in Japan on vacation. The message was a caption of me, him and Josh Hart from Louisville, that said “Lets do this”. I just got chills and I knew I was in for something special.

To make it even more special I run into the guys my Dad and I hung out with in Detroit, Jimmykernova, DJ, Dave, RB and the whole group. I remember being in Detroit with all you guys the day after the loss and the looks on our face, I knew it would end differently this time around. Just had a feeling.

Then more karma, my Dad, my brother and I sat next to grandparents during Big East who had brought their grand kids from Chicago. As I was leaving the hotel to go to the Oklahoma I bump into them. I preceded to tell them how awesome their grandparents are for bringing them to this, they nod, I wanted them to see a Championship just as much as I wanted to see on myself. I want both the grand kids and the grand parents to share in that special moment. On Monday at the pregame event I saw them again, they were face timing their Mom. Their grandmother signaled for me to come over and I told their Mom how awesome they were and she said they cant stop talking about the boys they met at the Big East. I cant imagine sharing a moment like that with your grand kids but I am so happy they were able to share it.

On to the pregame, as I wandered around the pregame I run into Pete and Laura. Pete and Laura I always consider family. Laura and I worked together in the alumni association chapters. She has helped guide me and has taught me how important Nova is even after you graduate. Pete and Laura bleed blue and white about as much as anybody I know. They brought their son to share in the special experience which is just awesome. When I asked Laura where she was sitting it was right in front of me. I knew that there would be a special moment this weekend, there just had to because if we won they are the exact people I would want to be sitting with.

To keep it going I bump into Mark a friend I took a ride to Boston with in 09. Mark and his Dad who was also there have just as much of a bond as me and my Dad over Nova basketball. We see each other at Nova outings and most of the tourney games. I knew when I saw them early on Saturday we were in for something special, just had that feeling.

We win on Saturday and I get a text from a fraternity brother Emmet wishing me a happy birthday and saying he is coming to Houston. I had not seen Emmet in maybe 8 years. Emmet provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime Senior year when I got to announce the game at UCONN on student radio. When I knew Emmet was coming I had a feeling we were going to do something special.

Then Curtis walks in the door. Curtis lived next to me freshmen year, we caught up, talked about where our lives had taken us, the first thing he asks if my Dad is there, I run him over to my Dad and they hug it out. I told Curtis, this is for you, this is for 05 and 06. He smiled, after the game I saw him again and I could tell he was emotional, we were going nuts!

Then there is my message board family. I met some new friends (Hoops, Trip, Lowry99) during this trip. Caught up with some of my old friends (RB, Dave, ADP, EricW ,Beefer ,Ace, Novaworm, Jimmykernova, DJ,two decks etc). The list goes on and on. You guys are family to me, the minute I saw you guys there knew we were in for something special.

I got to spend my birthday weekend with some of my best friends, what is better than that?nnMy wife on Sunday morning just said “How awesome is this, you wake up in Houston, one game from a Championship and its your birthday”. I got a text from one of my good friends she said “God put the off day on your birthday, now bring us home a Championship”. Again had that feeling

My wife is amazing and I am so lucky she deals with my craziness but she is so happy that she had made this journey and she had so much fun. I got to catch up with friends, roommates, fraternity brothers, it was just awesome.

Then Saturday at 8 PM came. The shot, the moment, the program, the players, the fans.

I first had to hug my wife, we had just received some very good news recently in terms of health, in a way Nova basketball got our mind of all that stuff to share that moment with her was incredible.

Then my brother, my Dad and my Mom. My brother and my Dad have been life long Nova fans. This made so much to the three of us, I have a picture of us all hugging, I have cried to the picture at least 30 times. I cant even describe how it felt to be standing with the two of them after that shot, this is a moment I will pass on to my kids and their kids. I am already working on getting them framed tickets, with the picture.

Then I saw two of my friends who are diehard Nova fans. We held each other and cried. I remember every Friday after brownies going back to our apartment and dissecting the games we had seen. Man was it awesome. We partied it up that night, took shots, had champagne, had a victory cigar with Shane and Frank T, took pictures, I have literally looked at these pictures 100 times and they just bring a smile to my face and tears of joy.

Here is the thing, my emotional ride comes from the fan but the best part of this week was what I saw from our players and their parents. Kris Jenkins Mom had a smile from ear to ear the whole weekend. Mikal Bridges Dad started a Nova Nation chant in the terminal of the arena after the Oklahoma game. The Booths were smiling from ear to ear when they saw the picture of their son in the lobby. The Ochefu’s joined the Lowry 45 B Day pool parties “Lets Go Nova” chant. The Hart’s were about as pumped up as our biggest fans. The Arcs were beaming with the pride and the list goes on and on.

I think what is truly remarkable is how lucky we are to have such good kids with great parents. It truly shows what Jay has built. I am so happy for our guys, their families, Jay and our university.

Will cherish this moment for the rest of my life, thank you!

The Box Plus Minus Rankings are up on Google docs. Denzel Valentine ranked #1, Buddy Hield #2 and Brice Johnson #3. Some of interest:

#10 Josh Hart
#13 Kris Dunn (Big East POY)
#16 DeAndre Bembry (Big 5 POY)
#20 Dan Ochefu
#22 Kris Jenkins
#24 Ryan Arcidiacono
#35 Isaiah Miles
#57 Mykal Bridges

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Here I sit on Thursday, and all I want is to think and talk freaking Villanova Basketball. What a euphoric feeling. As a guy whose pro teams have had both historical and recent success (bay area), no pro championship comes close to feeling like this one does. Obviously there is a pride that it's our school, but it's so much about these kids and Jay, and Father Peter, and the pride I feel as each of them, to a man, portrays a combo of class of toughness that is tough to come up with a word for. The fact that they wear Villanova on the front of their jerseys, and play with such heart, toughness, grit, then go into the savage world of the national media and just handle themselves so genuinely nice makes me soar with pride as a Villanova Alum.

I could go on and on, but I want to focus on one aspect of this whole journey that I have such admiration for. I know Ericw and others have mentioned this particular aspect, but it was so mind blowing to me, I want to give it even more attention. They truly owned that loss against NC State. A year ago, when that line was being trotted out, I wasn't quite sure what that meant to Jay, what it meant to the guys, and, quite frankly, what it really meant at all. I was disappointed we didn't advance, but was more in the camp of bad night shooting, non-ideal matchup, nature of March camp. I didn't necessarily think they had anything to own, thinking we just needed a better performance on the big stage and possible better matchups. But not this team. While they faced 12 months of doubt, skepticism, minimizing of their accomplishments, never once was a word uttered about being unfairly judged, or giving an excuse for that loss. But at the same time, this team didn't dwell on that loss, and true to Jay's word, they did not define themselves with that loss. Making it an even steeper climb was losses to both our premiere OOC games. But after that loss to VA, and a marginal performance against someone (I forget and don't want to look up) right before Christmas, they came out on NYE every bit the alpha dog in the conference they ended last year as. No doubt in their mind crept in. As March drew closer, and another dominant BE regular season was coming to an end, doubt persisted, and accomplishments went minimized. Did that make their butt pucker a bit come the game with Iowa? Hell F'in NO! You know why? Because they ****ing owned it. They weren't going to settle for hoping to shoot well come tourney time. They owned that they had the ability to win in March even if they shoot poorly, and it was up to them to realize said ability. That was Jenkins becoming a tough defender and rebounder, and not using his tweener size as an excuse. That's Arch saying I don't care I was BE player of the year, I need to become a better defender. That's Josh Hart saying I need to be stringer with the basketball in case my 3 isn't falling. That's Phil Booth committing to the defensive end to make him a valuable contributor even if he was in a Soph slump. That's DO becoming more reliable in the post a being a stronger rebounder. That's DR saying I am more than a bench player, I am going to show the BE how damn tough I am. That's Brunson and Bridges facing the typical Villanova Freshman yo-yo role, and respecting their teammates enough to embrace it. And it's the bench mob accepting their role in getting their teammates better, and being their true support through what is always a long and emotional season. That's how you own a tourney loss. And damn, if I could own things like that in my life at 36, I would be a much better person. It's human nature not to own things. It takes a weird combo of humility and confidence, and you add hunger and that's recipe for the type of improvement we saw from these MEN. Kudos to Jay and staff for instilling it in them and kudos to these guys for accepting it, owning it, and becoming better from it. It's been a great lesson for me in my life that I hope to improve on. I got to watch Saturday and Monday with my son who was born 8 days ago. Was bummed to miss Houston, but was proud to watch with him and process a bunch of things for myself that I hope I can pass to him one day. God Bless Jay, God Bless the staff, God Bless the Players, and God Bless NOVA!

I know there are more important things going on here, but no one has mentioned Sam Hinkie "stepping down". I guess "the process" wasn't working...

As always, my apologies if it was already posted, but I didn't see it anywhere. Anyway, despite having an English minor from Villanova, I hate reading. I read this though, and I suggest you do the same........

http://theodysseyonline.com/villanova/feels-watch-team-win-national-championship/399091

my apologies if this is BB2N, but this is crazy.

http://athlonsports.com/college-bas...rcus-paige-north-carolina-tar-heels-villanova

1. Oklahoma
2. North Carolina
3. Iowa
4. Kansas

We beat all those teams in route to the championship. Oklahoma, UNC and Kansas all spent time as number 1 overall this season. Miami got as high as number 7. Think about that run. Crazy.

Have some tissues ready but also be ready to laugh. Really neat.

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Jay #1 choice of Phoenix Suns per numerous NBA sources

Sure you could play for Kentucky or Duke or North Carolina, or you could come and play for Villanova, the national champions!

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...White House invite...

Just go online to the Alumni website and make whatever donation you are comfortable with,took me about 3 minutes to do it.....

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/700-l...ly-halftime-praise-daniel-ochefu-todays-rally

Whatever Chef was cooking up for his teammates at halftime, inside the Villanova locker room at NRG stadium, it certainly was a meal for champions. It apparently had a lot of fire, a lot of passion, and a lot of love for Villanova Basketball. Ok, I'll put aside the cheesy alliteration. It's just great to see Chef get this tremendous recognition - both within the Nova Nation community and nationally. Many of us had the feeling, watching his development over four years, that Chef had "it in him" - to be the dominant big man that Villanova so desperately needed, to go deep into March. You just never know if a guy like that is going to get the opportunity, on the big stage. This year, in his senior season, Big Dan finally got the opportunity to show basketball fans everywhere his talents. It's amazing to have seen it all come together for Chef and the Cats, in the way that it did. So happy for Chef - the most underrated big man in America. He's now a Main Line legend - and a national champ! Congrats to Big Dan.

Thought some would like to see this article about the effect of the Championship on other areas such as with corporate partners, sponsors, applications, and more. Also, have to think we might see an increase in ticket prices..........

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20160407_The_winning_s_only_beginning_for_Villanova.html

In terms of how we are viewed in philly. Given the class that Jay and these kids have displayed we are so easy to like. I believe this win will increase the flow of love for nova within the Philly community. They city is starving for a winner and we delivered in style.