Villanova gets out-worked by Marquette? Yes, Marquette.
by Chris Lane on Mar 11, 2010 5:05 PM EST
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PrintIt appears that the days of the tough, gritty, Villanova Wildcats may be gone (for this year at least). Remember when we had that never say die attitude? Remember when our seniors stepped up and CARRIED the team through a BIG EAST war? Yeah, that doesn't exist anymore.
Some of this is frustration in the moment, but more of it is a season-long problem that has finally made me snap. When I was at Villanova, we were the underdog. We got shown no respect, and we played like it. This team? They look like they really believe they are entitled to win each game. They play with not fire, with no heart.
More after the jump...
The 2005-2006 teams would be ashamed. The 2009 team would be appalled, because these same players actually helped them achieve Villanova history. There was none of that to be seen today, maybe save Corey Stokes, who FINALLY looks like he is ready to step up.
Darius Johnson-Odom (yeah, who?) set himself a career high with 24 points. Lazar Hayward added 20. David Cubillan had 17. I'm sick to my stomach.
Right now, we all have to pull back our expectations for this team in the NCAA Tournament. 3 weeks ago we were fighting for a 1-seed. Right now we're looking down the barrel of a 4. And we probably deserve a 5 if we take into account how we're actually playing at the moment.
Scottie Reynolds, God love him, is not a great leader it seems. Reggie Redding we knew was not. Those are our seniors. Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes were great as role players last year, but they haven't made the leap to be leaders yet. And then everyone else is young. That's not the recipe for a team looking to make it back to the Final Four.
Hell, at this point, I'd be happy with the Sweet Sixteen.
Going into hibernation until Selection Sunday.
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Chris, 110%, agree totally with you, especially with the frustration
by Pete Minichiello on Mar 11, 2010 5:19 PM EST reply actions
Proposal:
Someone go round up Dante, Dwayne and Shane and give them King, Armwood and Wooten’s jerseys and then let’s play in the tourney.
I mean we’ll have to come up with some explanation of why Taylor is now black, but it’ll be worth it.
Go Nova
Good Idea
….except I would give them Redding’s and Pena’s as well. Not playing Yarou is killing me. Even with his lack of experience he is twice the player Pena is.
From a Marquette fan: I respectfully disagree.
Your kids are damn tough. They never quit battling the whole game, and I think I can safely say: no one is going to want to play ’Nova in the Dance.
Love your program, love your coach. Best of luck in the tourney.
"Is the ship officially sinking?"
At this point I’d have to say, well,
It’s like the dance band is playing on the Titanic
by Pope of the Hardwoods on Mar 11, 2010 6:21 PM EST reply actions
Let's get a Grip!
Nova is a sweet sixteen team. The match-ups they are likely to get: 3 or 4 vs. 14 or 13 will be in their favor. After that win..and they will win their first game, it gets tougher, but is more than possible. After that, they will face teams like they have in the last few weeks. It will be all about match-ups. If they shoot 50%, they will win despite all the rebounding issues. After that, I don’t hold out much hope, but one never knows!
by LauderdaleLegend on Mar 11, 2010 7:16 PM EST reply actions
I'm standing on the side of the Brooklyn Bridge. . .
…..and i have been talked off of it.
I think.
/still depressed
Look at the scoreboard Buddha I'm doing fine
On the plus side...
at least Nova will be well rested for the Tournament. Nova just didn’t seem motivated today. Marquette played with a lot more purpose IMO. Let’s hope the Wildcats can get it straightened out in time for NCAA Tournament.
by South Jersey Wedding Photographer on Mar 11, 2010 11:05 PM EST reply actions
There is no shame losing to Marquette
It’s tough to beat a Big East opponent three times in a row. Marquette is a good team. Sure, the past few games have been rough for the Wildcats… But they have now been battle tested for the Big Dance.
Tip the cap and move on.
Word
Entirely true. Syracuse couldn’t beat Georgetown for a 3rd time today either.
by Chocolately Thundered on Mar 11, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
It's the same story for the past week.
Don’t get out of hand with this nonsense. There are more similarities with last year than not. We didn’t look terrible today. Last year, no one was sold on us until we came out and laid the hammer down in the tournament. There’s nothing preventing this team from doing exactly the same.
Sure, there’s no Dante or Dwayne, but what there is, is a bunch of kids who have been run through the ringer. At this point no one can definitively say whether it’s made them stronger or weaker, but the one thing that I can all but guarantee is that we won’t see another Big East team for a while. Last year’s team had their own struggles in the Big East, differing from this year only in timing. I’d like another game to get warmed up, but we’re going to get dropped into this tournament against a weak team, and fingers crossed, we’re going to feast on them. The refs (most likely) won’t be up our ass in perpetuity, and if this team builds momentum, we could be a freight train rolling. (Also, we could get bounced in the first round, but hey, I’m trying to talk myself into this stuff)
by Chocolately Thundered on Mar 11, 2010 11:17 PM EST reply actions
Calm Down...
Every loss, save UConn, was to a team that will be playing next Thursday or Friday. Let’s not panic. Are we going to the final four this year? Probably not, but not even the Carolina’s of the world do that year in and year out. Let’s see what the tourney matchups are.
This is a good, but not great team, which has key weaknesses. Also, it’s not like we’ve had much success in the BET in recent history. Last year we lost our second game and went to the final four. In 2006, I think we lost our first game and made it to the Elite 8. Look at some of the more recent BET champs. They don’t tend to do well the next week (i.e. ’Cuse in 2005 and 2006 – BET champs; lost in first round of tourney, I think).
Hopefully this team takes its frustrations out on the first round opponent.
We haven’t been a great defensive team this year. I rip Pena enough, but he is way better than last year. Reynolds comes to play each night. He’ll have poor shooting games, but he ain’t mailin it in. Reggie tries to play beyond his limitations. Last year he could focus on just defense and take whatever offensive opportunities happened to come his way. He’s ok offensive player, but not great. Yaruo looks like he is going to be a monster. I can’t wait to see what he is going to be like after a full year of working on his game.
I lived through the Steve Lappas years. This, kids, is waaaaaaaaaaay better.
Never mistake effort for achievement.
All normal people love meat. If I went to a barbeque and there was no meat, I would say 'Yo Goober! Where's the meat?' - HJS
by Esteban d' Amur on Mar 12, 2010 7:06 AM EST reply actions
Teams losing their first game of the BET
have never gone on to win the Big Dance, either. It’s a curse to win it and it’s a curse to bow out early.
Losing in the semifinals would have been awesome for Nova.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
Hey,
Congratulations to Marquette. Now on to the next game. And let’s do better(like win a few) in the NCAA’s.
by Pope of the Hardwoods on Mar 12, 2010 8:58 AM EST reply actions
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