Lots of thoughts on the board after the first two -- I'll add a few of my own, with the obvious caveat that we are 2 games into the season and lots can change:
1a) Brunson can ball. He is easily the most under control freshman guard that I have ever seen at Villanova. Let's see how that holds up over the course of the season when he gets pressed more, but he more than looks the part. The ball-handling/passing are elite. He can score it from anywhere, so he'll command attention. He is fearless in the lane. Seems to me that he has a lot of Lowry in his game without the elite quickness.
1b) The above said, to me, Jalen is nothing close to a one and done player. He is a good, but far from great, shooter. He is nowhere near as big as Arch, who is only 6'3", and doesn't look bigger than Booth to me either. DO NOT GET ME WRONG -- I love his game and I see why he was so highly ranked. But I do not see at all how he can be a first round pick in the draft this year. It would not surprise me, at all, to see him picked in the lottery down the line. But I can't agree, at this point, with anyone suggesting that he is gone after this year.
2) For those criticizing Jenkins after last night, you were obviously not watching the game on the defensive end. That was one of the best defensive/rebounding efforts I have ever seen Kris Jenkins give. His effort on block-outs down low was tremendous. Even when he didn't get rebounds, he cleared his man out of the lane so one or more of his teammates could. Defensively he stayed in front of his man and made things tough on whoever he was guarding. If he gives us that kind of effort all season, he is FAR from a liability. His shots are going to fall eventually -- it is the effort on the other end that he needs to pick up, and he did that last night.
3) I like Donte D's enthusiasm and hustle, but I think he is a year away. Thought he was very skittish with the ball last night. It seems like he needs some time to get used to this level of play. Of course, he'll have that luxury this year.
4) Reynolds is noticeably bigger this year. Hit the weight room hard in the offseason. Still have my doubts about whether he is really trustworthy enough to play 10-15 minutes, but you can tell that he worked in the offseason.
5) Hart's line - 19 pts/5 rebounds/4 steals. An all-around threat.
6) Forced 22 turnovers. 33 points off the turnovers. For those concerned about the team defense, this team can turn you over. The traps and presses are still relentless. Also think the shorter shot clock will help us force tempo even more.
7) The team doesn't lack for leadership. Arch and Chef have picked up right where Hilliard and JVP left off last season, with Jenkins and Hart in strong understudy roles. The JW hierarchy remains strong.
8) Funny moment when Nelson Agholor was announced as being at the game - fair number of boos thrown his way. Eagles fans don't forgive easy.
1a) Brunson can ball. He is easily the most under control freshman guard that I have ever seen at Villanova. Let's see how that holds up over the course of the season when he gets pressed more, but he more than looks the part. The ball-handling/passing are elite. He can score it from anywhere, so he'll command attention. He is fearless in the lane. Seems to me that he has a lot of Lowry in his game without the elite quickness.
1b) The above said, to me, Jalen is nothing close to a one and done player. He is a good, but far from great, shooter. He is nowhere near as big as Arch, who is only 6'3", and doesn't look bigger than Booth to me either. DO NOT GET ME WRONG -- I love his game and I see why he was so highly ranked. But I do not see at all how he can be a first round pick in the draft this year. It would not surprise me, at all, to see him picked in the lottery down the line. But I can't agree, at this point, with anyone suggesting that he is gone after this year.
2) For those criticizing Jenkins after last night, you were obviously not watching the game on the defensive end. That was one of the best defensive/rebounding efforts I have ever seen Kris Jenkins give. His effort on block-outs down low was tremendous. Even when he didn't get rebounds, he cleared his man out of the lane so one or more of his teammates could. Defensively he stayed in front of his man and made things tough on whoever he was guarding. If he gives us that kind of effort all season, he is FAR from a liability. His shots are going to fall eventually -- it is the effort on the other end that he needs to pick up, and he did that last night.
3) I like Donte D's enthusiasm and hustle, but I think he is a year away. Thought he was very skittish with the ball last night. It seems like he needs some time to get used to this level of play. Of course, he'll have that luxury this year.
4) Reynolds is noticeably bigger this year. Hit the weight room hard in the offseason. Still have my doubts about whether he is really trustworthy enough to play 10-15 minutes, but you can tell that he worked in the offseason.
5) Hart's line - 19 pts/5 rebounds/4 steals. An all-around threat.
6) Forced 22 turnovers. 33 points off the turnovers. For those concerned about the team defense, this team can turn you over. The traps and presses are still relentless. Also think the shorter shot clock will help us force tempo even more.
7) The team doesn't lack for leadership. Arch and Chef have picked up right where Hilliard and JVP left off last season, with Jenkins and Hart in strong understudy roles. The JW hierarchy remains strong.
8) Funny moment when Nelson Agholor was announced as being at the game - fair number of boos thrown his way. Eagles fans don't forgive easy.
Last edited:
