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Jay Wright on The FAN

Today Jay Wright was a guest with Mike Francessa on WFAN 660-AM in New York. Wright's usually a regular on the show around this time of year as Francessa is a huge Villanova (VillanovER) fan and let's be honest, we all love hearing the coach on the most iconic radio station in the country.

I've been pretty harsh on Wright lately (which I still think is warranted). Usually, hearing Jay talk is like taking happy-meds. You get this warm, numbing feeling and start thinking everyone is going to be just fine. This one was a little different. This interview did two things for me:

  • Make me feel a lot better heading into Thursday.
  • Getting me violently upset at our Coach, yet again.

More after the jump...

Star-divide

Jay talked about several things, so I'll run them down quick, and then get to the thing that elated/angered me at the same time.

  • Thinks Kansas and Syracuse are the two favorites right now, but also likes West Virginia a lot.
  • Hopes that the playing the freshman this year will pay dividends down the stretch, because it "cost them" a bit down the stretch.
  • Thinks Mouphtaou Yarou and Maurice Sutton are going to be the keys to the tournament because they need help rebounding.

That last one was upsetting enough, until we got I heard Coach say that our best lineup was Antonio Pena, Mouphtaou Yarou, and 3 guards.

YA DON'T SAY, JAY?!

I'm going to go ahead and speak for the rest of the fanbase here when I say that down that miserable stretch, our best lineup was Pena, Yarou, Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes. Wasn't that hard to see actually. Stokes has been a madman since the citation and Fisher and Stokes are the two best players on the team. Mouph has been phenomenal (when he's actually been in the game) and Pena has been steady, not spectacular.

So why is our Coach saying this now? I have no idea, and frankly it worries me that it took him this long to realize it.

(Note: I'm really hoping that he's seen the light and Mouph starts playing 25 minutes a game -- at least)

But I am ecstatic to hear him say it at the same time. Because I've had enough of the coddling of the freshman. The kid is a man out there. He plays with a mean streak and he works his ass off. He deserves it, and as we've all been saying, we're a much, much better team with him out there.

That felt good to get out.

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Listen to...

John Calipari interview with Mike Francesa as well. Each time Francesa talks to Calipari, he just digs and jabs at him (ex: always brings up Memphis choking in national championship, how many commercials Cal is in, etc.). I despise Calipari but when he chats with Mike, it’s hilarious.

by jhulax22 on Mar 15, 2010 10:30 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow

Jay was on Howard Eskin today too. I wonder how you deal with two big assholes like that in one day. According to mike francesa’s “sauces” the yankees are going to win 161 games this season.

President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club

Fact on Villanova Sports

by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 15, 2010 11:00 PM EDT reply actions  

Jay

Made the rounds today. I guess he’s gotta do some servicing in return for that awesome seed the team was granted by the committee. Now, let’s get this, ’Nova!

"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko

by doubleh on Mar 15, 2010 11:27 PM EDT reply actions  

Calipari?

No mention of the love-fest for the anti-christ, Calipari?

Jay truly is a saint to be able to sing the praises of that heel.

by Chocolately Thundered on Mar 16, 2010 12:45 AM EDT reply actions  

I didn't even want to go there

Would have to be a whole separate rant and I just wanted to focus on the lineup issue.

My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.

by Chris Lane on Mar 16, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions  

I can’t decide which coach I dislike more: Rick Pitino or John Calipari. It’s probably Calipari, but it’s pretty close.

"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko

by doubleh on Mar 16, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

I get this sense...

that after we got to 20-1, everyone from Wright on down, kind of eased up. They knew they would be playing in the tournament and started to “save” themselves for March. Don’t know if that is wise, but we will find out.

Never mistake effort for achievement.

Ah, beer, my one weakness. My Achille's heel, if you will. - HJS

by Esteban d' Amur on Mar 16, 2010 6:55 AM EDT reply actions  

Injury Report?

Does Armwood have a knee problem and if so—how bad?

by Pope of the Hardwoods on Mar 16, 2010 10:47 AM EDT reply actions  

He does have a knee issue

They classified it as a sprain, and were hopeful that with taking the BET off he’d play in the NCAA’s.

We really need him for depth down low and for his versatility to defend.

My father was a military man. Guess I wasn't such a 'good soldier.' Anyways, when I was 35 he attempted to give me a crew-cut while I was asleep. I woke up, broke his arm, haven't seen him since.

by Chris Lane on Mar 16, 2010 10:59 PM EDT reply actions  

And the ability...

to throw down a sick dunk from time to time. I wish they would run some back-screen alley-oops for him. Let him go up and get it.

Never mistake effort for achievement.

Ah, beer, my one weakness. My Achille's heel, if you will. - HJS

by Esteban d' Amur on Mar 17, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

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