Well, we've all had our therapy session so here's mine:
I'm not sure what happened. Thursday was outstanding. We played loose and could have scored 110 if we wanted. Saturday came and it all went to heck. We were tight. There is no way to sugarcoat it and as Jay said at the hotel post-game, "we've got to own this loss". I'm not going to go over the game as we all saw and I refuse to single out individual players in a negative way. Here is what I know and why something such as a basketball game means a little too much to this guy.
I can only speak for myself but here is what strikes me and makes our situation so special and yet so painful. The community that is Villanova Basketball is unmatched. We don't have 2 million fans like Kentucky, we might not bring 38 buses to Pittsburgh. However, what we have is a community of tight-knit alums (and non-alums) who all support and love our program. What makes us unique is the program loves us back. You spend time with the Administration, the coaches, support staff, the players and people connected there is something very special about what we do. It's truly a family/community. To see these kids return Saturday night and see the absolute anguish kills you. These kids were hurting. For me, that's why the loss sucks so much. It's also what is so special. This kids and our staff are treated like conquering hero's by many dedicated fans who cheered them as they entered the hotel post-game. This is actually the stuff that matters, not if the ball goes in on an open 3 at the end of the game. Yes, that matters and don't tell Jay, those kids or any of us it doesn't. However, my point is that not what defines our program or who we are. That's what I love about our program. It's an insult to our level of play to suggest there is anything mid-major about it. However, what we do is have a family. A family that molds men on-and-off the court led by the best leader we could have in Coach Wright. Losing sucks. I don't let my kids win when we play games at home. I don't like losing arguments on a message board for crying out loud. So this to say losing doesn't matter or it's all right. Losing sucks. However, what we have at Villanova and the community that is our program is what matters. It's what bonds generations and is truly a family-affair. I was telling my wife that my biggest regret is my kids are still young to come with us to these events. We have a very special community and a special program that doesn't utter lip-service to terms like "family, community and student-athlete". Those are truly what matters moreso than if we won or lost a game.
Thank you to this team and also to many who showed up. We shared lots of laughs, met some great people and it was truly a wonderful ride. To Jay, the staff and the team thank you even more. Especially to Jay. What he's built is incredible. I hope everyone appreciates what we have because there are no guarantees in life. Enjoy the ride, handle the losses but remember the greater good happening here. Now someone give me a kleenex because I'm still not over Saturday but at least I'll now be home April 6 to take my kids to Opening Day at Nats Park.
I'm not sure what happened. Thursday was outstanding. We played loose and could have scored 110 if we wanted. Saturday came and it all went to heck. We were tight. There is no way to sugarcoat it and as Jay said at the hotel post-game, "we've got to own this loss". I'm not going to go over the game as we all saw and I refuse to single out individual players in a negative way. Here is what I know and why something such as a basketball game means a little too much to this guy.
I can only speak for myself but here is what strikes me and makes our situation so special and yet so painful. The community that is Villanova Basketball is unmatched. We don't have 2 million fans like Kentucky, we might not bring 38 buses to Pittsburgh. However, what we have is a community of tight-knit alums (and non-alums) who all support and love our program. What makes us unique is the program loves us back. You spend time with the Administration, the coaches, support staff, the players and people connected there is something very special about what we do. It's truly a family/community. To see these kids return Saturday night and see the absolute anguish kills you. These kids were hurting. For me, that's why the loss sucks so much. It's also what is so special. This kids and our staff are treated like conquering hero's by many dedicated fans who cheered them as they entered the hotel post-game. This is actually the stuff that matters, not if the ball goes in on an open 3 at the end of the game. Yes, that matters and don't tell Jay, those kids or any of us it doesn't. However, my point is that not what defines our program or who we are. That's what I love about our program. It's an insult to our level of play to suggest there is anything mid-major about it. However, what we do is have a family. A family that molds men on-and-off the court led by the best leader we could have in Coach Wright. Losing sucks. I don't let my kids win when we play games at home. I don't like losing arguments on a message board for crying out loud. So this to say losing doesn't matter or it's all right. Losing sucks. However, what we have at Villanova and the community that is our program is what matters. It's what bonds generations and is truly a family-affair. I was telling my wife that my biggest regret is my kids are still young to come with us to these events. We have a very special community and a special program that doesn't utter lip-service to terms like "family, community and student-athlete". Those are truly what matters moreso than if we won or lost a game.
Thank you to this team and also to many who showed up. We shared lots of laughs, met some great people and it was truly a wonderful ride. To Jay, the staff and the team thank you even more. Especially to Jay. What he's built is incredible. I hope everyone appreciates what we have because there are no guarantees in life. Enjoy the ride, handle the losses but remember the greater good happening here. Now someone give me a kleenex because I'm still not over Saturday but at least I'll now be home April 6 to take my kids to Opening Day at Nats Park.