I have been reflecting for two days as well......
This is my 8th, elite 8...as a Villanova fan (1978 was my first although I remember 1971). each of them had a special story ....every one involved feelings of hope and dreams but there is something different today.....the other two most similar were in 1983 and 2006....the feeling is this....
Villanova may just win this national championship this year and achieve that goal by actually BEING the best team in the country....not the best team in one game, or one weekend or on top of a magical run....the best because this team was at or near the top all season and took on the best in the tournament, outplayed them and won it...no monumental upset needed....just playing at an elite level and prevailing....
In 1983 I had that hope but wasn't sure whether the Cats could handle Phi Slamma Jamma and obviously that team with Olajuwon and Drexler was better (notwithstanding that fluke loss to NC State)....in 2006 I had a similar feeling but felt the team was running on fumes. I also didn't realize how good Florida was.....history could repeat and Kansas tonight or North Carolina, Virginia or Oklahoma could disprove the feeling....
But maybe this is the YEAR where Villanova wins it all and really is the Best....and IF it happens the Cats could be back in this same game again next year....the program has never been in better shape....
I don't know how it will play out tonight...Kansas is darn good but if this team keeps playing like this three more times they will cut down the nets in Houston and there will be no debate about their greatness.
This is my 8th, elite 8...as a Villanova fan (1978 was my first although I remember 1971). each of them had a special story ....every one involved feelings of hope and dreams but there is something different today.....the other two most similar were in 1983 and 2006....the feeling is this....
Villanova may just win this national championship this year and achieve that goal by actually BEING the best team in the country....not the best team in one game, or one weekend or on top of a magical run....the best because this team was at or near the top all season and took on the best in the tournament, outplayed them and won it...no monumental upset needed....just playing at an elite level and prevailing....
In 1983 I had that hope but wasn't sure whether the Cats could handle Phi Slamma Jamma and obviously that team with Olajuwon and Drexler was better (notwithstanding that fluke loss to NC State)....in 2006 I had a similar feeling but felt the team was running on fumes. I also didn't realize how good Florida was.....history could repeat and Kansas tonight or North Carolina, Virginia or Oklahoma could disprove the feeling....
But maybe this is the YEAR where Villanova wins it all and really is the Best....and IF it happens the Cats could be back in this same game again next year....the program has never been in better shape....
I don't know how it will play out tonight...Kansas is darn good but if this team keeps playing like this three more times they will cut down the nets in Houston and there will be no debate about their greatness.
