Neither knows how to do a remembered thread appropriately

Darren Rovell ‏@darrenrovell 4h4 hours ago

15 Years Ago Today: Dale Earnhardt Sr. dies after crashing at the Daytona 500

It is pretty amazing that in our recent games the leading scorer has been from most recent working backwards:
- Brunson 25 vs. Temple
- Ochefu 25 vs. St. John's
- Hart 18 vs. De Paul
- Reynolds 19 vs. Providence
- Jenkins 22 vs. Creighton

Plus Ryan, Phil and Mikal filling the stat sheet as well.

ADP or anybody else who keeps on top of these things: what do you project will happen? Is there a realistic chance of the bitch getting indicted?

.

Has been bludgeoned by THE CHEF!!!!!

Loving the response...... Keep it up big fella!!!!!

Didn't hear many of those chants last night , which TU fans were chanting against Uconn

This is NOT a criticism, just an observation. I am worried by the fact that big Dan has difficulty going left in the low block. Last night Temple and many others, overplayed his right side so much that he is forced a little bit outside his comfort zone on his baby jump hook. He has improved so much that he is still very effective going to his right, even when overplayed, but he will face much bigger and tougher defenders going forward ie Xavier and the ncaas. Last night he went left once and it was a weak off balance shot that was lucky to go in. He needs to either use his left hand(which he has done in the past), or go up strong with a spin move to his left using his right hand. He clearly does not like going left and I fear that will force him into more difficult shots going to his right as bigger, stronger defenders overplay his right side. Some will say I'm nitpicking and they would be right, however, DO has to be an offensive threat if we are going to advance in March and IMO he MUST establish/improve his ability to score going to his left for him to be an offensive threat against quality bigs in the tourney.

On Saturday we get to celebrate something truly special. I remember my senior night in 2006 like it was yesterday, it was the last time I would get to see Randy, Allan, Jason, Baker and Mike in Nova uniforms take the Pavillion court (I know we still have Depaul but the students will be on break). I remember thinking to myself how these guys truly changed the culture of our program and played with a toughness and togetherness that made me proud to be a Nova Wildcat. It was a true celebration of their accomplishments and the pure joy they brought to our students, alumni and fans.

Fast forward to Saturday. We celebrate the accomplishments of the 2016 senior class and I cant help but get that same feeling I did in 2006.

Ryan Arch has been the toughest player since the first day he walked on the court at Nova. He single handily may be Jay Wright's most important player in his tenure. It has been one of the greatest honors as a fan to watch Ryan play the game of basketball. You may have had a crappy day at work, you could be in the dog house with your wife, the sky could be falling but when you turned on the TV you knew Ryan Arch was going to give 150% of his effort for 40 minutes and to me that is the pure joy of college basketball. Win or Lose, as a fan or alumni if you see that kind of effort it has to make you smile. Thank you for bringing it every night, thank you for mentoring guys like Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins, Phil Booth, Jalen Bruson, Mikal Bridges, Darryl Reynolds, and others. I know Villanova basketball is in good hands because of the culture and toughness you have brought to it. As I watch you play your last games, no matter how this story ends, you should be extremely proud of what you accomplished. As a fan I could not ask for anything more during the past four years.

Daniel Ochefu, watching your development over the past four years has been truly amazing. You listen to every word that Mouph said. You have been a great teammate and even a better representative for Villanova Basketball. For the past three years you have truly been the big man on campus. When Jay asked more of you each year you stepped up to the task and to watch the last few games has been amazing. It goes beyond though what you have done on the court. I have watched you on the sideline mentor the younger players, get them excited, get them involved, make sure they are enjoying themselves. The one thing I have noticed over your four years and especially this year is you are truly enjoying the moment. You truly love the Villanova experience and to me that is awesome. Basketball is basketball but in the end you need to enjoy the best four years of our life. Each time you take the court with a smile, high five a teammate, or just get excited on the bench for a friend you can tell you are enjoying the moment. That is awesome and it really has given me appreciation of you not only as a player but as a person.

The bench mob. Henry, Patrick, and Kevin. Your job is not easy. A full time student who probably gets up at the crack of dawn for workouts, work extremely hard and play very few minutes. You probably could have gone to some DIII school an played more but you decided to come to Nova and make these sacrifices. Its not easy, you guys are very tough kids who have brought character and toughness to this program. At practice you need to bring out the best in our star players so that they are ready for game day and believe me when I say this you have done an excellent job of this. I know what ever you guys do in the real world you will be very successful.

This is just a thank you to this class, that has brought us so much joy and has made us all very proud. I truly appreciate everything you guys have done and no matter how this season ends you will always be winners in my book.

Holy crap, that is one pathetic crowd. It's embarrassing.

1) Brunson has balls. This was the kid's Bright Lights game and he went off. Tip of the Cap to Dr. Pipp and all others that knew he had it in him.

2) Reynold's light was lit at PC. It's still on. If this was Booth's lights ON game, the Cat's are very dangerous, here on out. We have been waiting for Phil to be Phil , all year. When did he start shooting long balls like Michael Adams though?

3) Arch played tonight like the Big 5 title was his. Tough on Tough. Let's hope he is that possessive of the BE Title and then his legacy in the Dance.

4) People killed Fran for the "soft" comment but didn't hear the 10 times he stated that any Big should want to play here. The comments about Ochefu's great improvement over 4 years at Nova. I would really love those comments but Omari already knows this.

5) Absolutely love this team. Just get better and better at what they do. This game was set up to be a big toe stub but they dominated. Great job by the good guys.

6) Unfortunately, its still about that second weekend in March. I will enjoy the journey but they have to get that Gorilla off their backs.

Heads up as I know we're all excited about drilling Temple. Butler has won 4 of 5, scoring 81, 87, 88 and 89 in their 4 wins. 3 of the 4 by double digits with the other win being a 6 point road win at Seton Hall. Offensively they are starting to play much better. Senior night always emotional. This is going to be a tough game. Especially for a kid like Brunson coming off playing his dad's school. Don't sleep on this one as I expect a tough game. Luckily it's on campus. Tough stretch over the next 10 days. Butler, @X and @ Marquette. No cupcake in that group.

And accept your kick in the balls. Winning 5 in a row against slop is not being hot. The team they played Sunday would struggle in the PCL.. Please, please admit Nova is a dam good team.

... the 'Cats will start their tourney run in Brooklyn.

Trying to savor every moment between now and then - and I will - but I'm sooooooo ready for March 18.

This team is healthy and primed. Can't wait to see them rip that March monkey off the program's back, slam it to the ground and beat it senseless.

With that said, I better start meditating again to help me live in the moment ...

This is a different team then the one that lost to OU. You saw the metamorphous begin in the Virginia game.
This team is beginning to peak, Beginning is the key word.
The monster game by Reynolds has paid multiple dividends. It has transformed Reynolds into a confident and aggressive player, especially on the offensive end (where that was previously a 5 on 4 game). Ochefu's view of the proceedings seems to have lit a fire of aggressiveness that is refreshing. He is taking it to the rack with authority now. The baby soft layins are gone. Thank God. He seems to be playing with a sense of urgency. He needs to play somewhat selfishly for us to prosper.
Brunson is beginning to come into his own. Again, beginning is the key word. Arch on the ball more, and Brunson looking to score works in multiple ways. Arch will get his, and Brunson picks his spots more selectively.
Booth showing some passion, aggressiveness, and emotion. He needs to, Although his shot is still curiously funky (I don't remember it being that way last year) . As long as it goes thru the hoop I'll take it.
I believe Josh Hart isn't scoring as much because he didn't have to. He steps up offensively when the team is faltering offensively. It's a good sign when he doesn't have to carry the offensive burden.

The beauty of this team is the interchangeability of players, and the true molding of all 8 into the rotation.
The past 2 years, there were times when I found myself saying that such and such a lineup isn't working. It was obvious. As the season has progressed, it seems that, regardless of the 5 on the floor, on both ends of the floor, there is excellent balance, and we seem to click. It's something that is still evolving, and that is probably the difference between this year's squad and the 2 years previous. Not a knock on those teams, but their identity's were well established much earlier, and by February, you knew exactly what we were.

I believe that, as my son pointed out, Brunson and Booth are the keys to this team. When they play well, and provide more then token offense, this team is very difficult to beat. The other parts are well established. The defense is consistent across 8 players.

It's very hard to imagine that this squad could develop , and continue to develop, to this level after watching them get destroyed in Hawaii. It's a credit to the staff and players to have become this cohesive and successful. This is one terrific run.

Jalen have such a GREAT game tonight. Not only do I think it was important and exciting for all of us to see him play like that in a big game, but I also think it was great for his own personal satisfaction and confidence to dominate and control that game in that environment under that kind of pressure! Hopefully that performance by him tonight is gonna lead us to even bigger and better things, not only for the remainder of this year, but also for the next few years as well, since I really believe that Jalen, as good as he is now and can become, is probably gonna be here at Nova for the long haul, which IMO means for "at least" the next two years!! And if that indeed turns out to be the case, its obviously gonna be a VERY good thing for our program!!

Trying to take my sons to see the game and to see Arch and Ochefu. Email: agursaha@gmail.com

Before Dada broke the 100 block mark in tonight's CL Semi- Final game at the Palestra. He came in with 99 (4.3 per game). He finished with 5 blocks to go with 11pts & 15rebs. Quade Green put on a long distance display scoring 31pts that included 6 threes (6-8) 9rebs, 5assts & 3 steals.

St Johns grabs their first win for coach Mullin in Big East play. League benefits from strong NYC team.
Maybe meaningless win but everyone starts somewhere and it is a first that should be recognized

if anyone has 2 tickets they want to sell, please email me at rnaugle6@comcast.net.

Thanks
RobN

.... the surgeon who did Arch's back surgery. He plays with with complete disregard for his own health. Last night he literally launched himself between two guys and dove into a few other piles. There are countless threads about how we are going miss him but I'll add one more. Hate to see him go.

Guess I was right about Jalen and his temperament and attitude

That line concerns me, thought it would be double digits

#4 Iowa loses to Penn State. Possible chance that both #3 Oklahoma and #5 Carolina get beat also. We handled Temple easily. Soft #1 my ass.

enjoy:
https://villanova.n.rivals.com/news/brunson-cats-beat-owls

Go down !