View Full Version : Let's go Nova
THill42
03-24-2016, 06:14 PM
Am I right? Need some reason to be watch the games and not throw up.
I'm still feeling a bit ill, and my interest in the tournament is obviously greatly reduced. Having said that, GO 'NOVA!!!
vee4xu
03-24-2016, 06:56 PM
That's what I'm about to say to my wife. We're getting ready to head out to Holy Thursday Mass and her name is Nova.
Our priest told us as long as we get there for communion and collection we're OK. Hope that helps.
Xville
03-24-2016, 08:24 PM
Nova looking really good...I think they are going to have a date with Ku on saturday.
THill42
03-24-2016, 08:56 PM
That will be fun. I guess I can keep watching. On Monday I didn't think it to be possible.
Porkopolis
03-24-2016, 09:03 PM
They are a really fun team to watch. I hope they bring the title home to the Big East.
Muncie
03-24-2016, 09:05 PM
Nova looks really good . ....we should so be still playing , major bummer
xubrew
03-24-2016, 09:15 PM
Nova looks really good . ....we should so be still playing , major bummer
Yes, and yes.
XMuskieFTW
03-24-2016, 09:16 PM
Nova picked a good time to play their best basketball of the year. They can definitely win it all if they play like that.
Well done, congrats to 'Nova for making the Elite Eight. Keep it rolling!
BMoreX
03-24-2016, 09:36 PM
Keep winning, Nova.
X Factor
03-24-2016, 10:14 PM
It actually pisses me off to see Nova steamroll Miami in the Sweet 16 knowing Xavier crapped the bed against Wisconsin.
Nova was ready to play in the NCAA tournament.
Drew's Crew
03-24-2016, 11:18 PM
It actually pisses me off to see Nova steamroll Miami in the Sweet 16 knowing Xavier crapped the bed against Wisconsin.
Nova was ready to play in the NCAA tournament.
I was thinking about this too. Nova absolutely came ready to play....a year after they got unexpectedly bumped in the 2nd rd last year. All the players on this years team experienced that and were on a mission to not allow that to happen again.
I hope X can come into the tourney next year with the same chip on their shoulder. If there is any silver lining to Sunday night, it's that.
drudy23
03-24-2016, 11:32 PM
Clinic
novachap
03-25-2016, 05:25 AM
I was thinking about this too. Nova absolutely came ready to play....a year after they got unexpectedly bumped in the 2nd rd last year. All the players on this years team experienced that and were on a mission to not allow that to happen again.
I hope X can come into the tourney next year with the same chip on their shoulder. If there is any silver lining to Sunday night, it's that.
This.... we were devastated after NC state last year. But, Jay kept the message going that it was not the end of the world. We as fans did not want to hear that, but clearly it worked with the players. FINALLY, peaking at right time. So, I expect X will be a beast next year (think we'll be pretty good as well) and will have a huge chip on its shoulder. Go BE, great to stick it to the experts on espn.
XUGRAD80
03-25-2016, 06:12 AM
This.... we were devastated after NC state last year. But, Jay kept the message going that it was not the end of the world. We as fans did not want to hear that, but clearly it worked with the players. FINALLY, peaking at right time. So, I expect X will be a beast next year (think we'll be pretty good as well) and will have a huge chip on its shoulder. Go BE, great to stick it to the experts on espn.
Well said!
Xville
03-25-2016, 06:28 AM
Love what nova did last night and hope they keep it going. However, I don't think what nova has done has really legitimized the big east. I mean does anyone think through Pac 12 is better now because Oregon is in the elite eight? To me, multiple teams would have to do something....I mean kentucky does something almost every year and everyone knows the sec is still garbage.
With all that said, I hope nova cuts the nets down.
XfansinKy
03-25-2016, 07:54 AM
It would be nice to have multiple teams in the sweet 16 but it would be great to see Nova go to the Final 4 n maybe beyond. I still despise them since they nearly ended Ed's career though. Go Nova!
I may be mistaken, but I think Nova is the first conference mate of Xavier's to make an Elite Eight...since St. Joe's in 2004. Right?
GoMuskies
03-25-2016, 09:52 AM
I may be mistaken, but I think Nova is the first conference mate of Xavier's to make an Elite Eight...since St. Joe's in 2004. Right?
Correct. And no conference mate has been to the Final Four since UMass '96.
Correct. And no conference mate has been to the Final Four since UMass '96.
Wow. Both impressive and kinda sad.
Cheesehead
03-25-2016, 11:36 AM
Nova is shooting the lights out. If they continue to do that, it certainly plausible they could be playing on Monday April 4th
SC in DC
03-25-2016, 12:45 PM
The "NEW" Big East will never get the credit and respect they deserve with ESPN calling the shots. But if Nova can take down #1 and #1 seed Kansas it can't hurt. GO Nova!!
XUMIOH12
03-25-2016, 12:47 PM
I'd like to see Nova make the Final Four, but i really dont care if they win it all or not.
XUOWNSUC
03-25-2016, 01:42 PM
Is that Jenkins kid going to go pro? Anybody know? I sure hope he does.
xukeith
03-25-2016, 02:22 PM
Is that Jenkins kid going to go pro? Anybody know? I sure hope he does.
He kills X.
I hope he goes pro. He is close to 75% from 3-point land.
BandAid
03-25-2016, 03:40 PM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kmTK_eSOCN4
Go Villanova. Bring home some wins
Xville
03-25-2016, 03:56 PM
The "NEW" Big East will never get the credit and respect they deserve with ESPN calling the shots. But if Nova can take down #1 and #1 seed Kansas it can't hurt. GO Nova!!
I think they can get the credit, it is just going to take multiple teams doing well in a year to do it. Had we beaten Wisconsin, and presumably beaten Notre Dame then, I think the Big East would be looking pretty good.
JEHARDI
03-25-2016, 08:15 PM
Impressive win for the Cats, go Nova!
Watching WI shut down a pretty good ND offense, it is tough to win in the tourney!
XfansinKy
03-26-2016, 07:30 AM
Nova in the Final 4 would be an excellent representative of the Big East. A national title would show the country that the Big East has teams that can recruit and get the type of players to win it all. I hope it would help recruiting for all Big East schools.
THill42
03-26-2016, 09:29 AM
Good thing this thread was moved into its correct category so that nobody will see it! Let's all talk about the Wisconsin loss some more.
Nova in the Final 4 would be an excellent representative of the Big East. A national title would show the country that the Big East has teams that can recruit and get the type of players to win it all. I hope it would help recruiting for all Big East schools.
...and back to back Big East National Champs will really make a statement!
XMuskieFTW
03-26-2016, 09:15 PM
Pretty solid start defensively. Need to get it inside to the chef more.
Every freaky bounce going against Nova now. Bank off the top of the backboard is rarely what the coach draws up.
letskeepitreal
03-26-2016, 10:59 PM
Wow, what a game with Kansas. In the Elite 8 game, it's pretty clear the importance of the guard play which we didn't have to this level. I love Myles but I don't think he has the kind of game to take us to the final four. Hats off to Villanova
muskiefan82
03-26-2016, 11:01 PM
Nova fan tonight.
mohr5150
03-26-2016, 11:01 PM
Nova!!!!!
Wow, what a game with Kansas. In the Elite 8 game, it's pretty clear the importance of the guard play which we didn't have to this level. I love Myles but I don't think he has the kind of game to take us to the final four. Hats off to Villanova
Nice place to throw in the "love/hate" on Myles. You realize he's a 2 helping out at PG based on need, right?
Jay Wright is a good coach. We are in the right conference. Go BigEast.
Oh we've got a good coach and a good team. I can't wait for next year.
bjf123
03-26-2016, 11:08 PM
Congrats, Nova!
Golf is a relatively simple game, played by reasonably intelligent people, stupidly.
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Wow, what a game with Kansas. In the Elite 8 game, it's pretty clear the importance of the guard play which we didn't have to this level. I love Myles but I don't think he has the kind of game to take us to the final four. Hats off to Villanova
I don't ngt rep, but this is el cheaply shot. Nasty bad.
Porkopolis
03-26-2016, 11:16 PM
Nice job, Nova! I hope you finish the job in Houston.
X Factor
03-26-2016, 11:17 PM
I don't ngt rep, but this is el cheaply shot. Nasty bad.
Definitely not the time for that kind of shot at Myles. I think it would be a fair conversation to have though.
bleedXblue
03-26-2016, 11:18 PM
Well done Nova!!!!
waggy
03-26-2016, 11:35 PM
Nice job Nova!
chico
03-26-2016, 11:36 PM
Really nice job by Nova. Wright had a great game plan. Glad to see they made it back to the Final 4.
X Factor
03-27-2016, 07:00 AM
I think they avenge their early season loss to OU and beat them easier than they did Kansas...they'll be playing Monday for a National Title.
UCGRAD4X
03-27-2016, 07:33 AM
Nice win. If it wasn't going to be Xavier - sure glad is was Nova. And to go through Kansas to do it, so it wasn't cheap! The conversation is already started that Big East play helped get them ready to knock off the top team in the nation.
It will be nice to see them go all the way.
bobbiemcgee
03-27-2016, 10:36 AM
It would be nice to have multiple teams in the sweet 16 but it would be great to see Nova go to the Final 4 n maybe beyond. I still despise them since they nearly ended Ed's career though. Go Nova!
8.33 million in Ncaa units for the the conference may mitigate this some.
waggy
03-27-2016, 07:17 PM
No doubt Nova played with a great attitude, but I think from a personel standpoint it was having two PG type ball handlers that allowed them to take care of the ball and control pace that was the primary secret to their success against KU.
Masterofreality
04-01-2016, 12:45 PM
I've dissed Dana O'Neill plenty, but this article is a must read:
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/15098670/villanova-wildcats-jay-wright-hard-road-back-final-four
Most significant passage to me is the one regarding how people get all wrapped up in recruiting rankings when it is more important to build quality pieces that fit together:
"It's been a smooth trajectory?
"Hell no, that is not true," said Wright's former assistant Billy Lange, who is now an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers. "We've shared a lot of long car rides down I-95, a lot of conversations. This has not been easy. He's had a lot of ups and downs."
Lange and Wright were headed down I-95, driving somewhere to recruit someone. Lange had just rejoined Wright's staff after seven seasons as the head man at Navy.
"I remember, he said to me, 'It's so hard not to get intoxicated with fame,'" Lange said. "I didn't know exactly what he meant at first, but he was saying how you go to the Final Four, and guys want to show up. They want to play for you. And it's so easy to just take guys. You don't stop and think, 'Wait, this isn't what we did before.' You just do it"
After 2009, it was supposed to be simple. Instead, it became much harder. Wright has admitted that he lost his way, blinded by his own success and starry-eyed at the players who wanted to join his team. He made huge mistakes and costly ones, recruiting kids who topped the rankings but didn't necessarily match the prototype he had recruited his whole career.
Scottie Reynolds' game-winning shot to beat Pittsburgh in 2009 sent Villanova to the Final Four. Frank Victores/USA TODAY Sports
The bottom dropped out in 2011-12, when the Wildcats finished 13-19, but it had been coming for years. Wright knew it. He saw it coming. He just couldn't stop it.
"Villanova got so good so fast," Lange said. "Things start to deteriorate underneath you, and you don't even know what's happening. You spend so long trying to get it back, to keep people to respecting you, and then all of a sudden, it happens. He got caught up in it. Who wouldn't?"
Players who were evaluated as one-and-dones stuck around longer than they would have liked, and a program on the rise couldn't get out of the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Wright has admitted to some serious soul-searching. Although his administration never pressured him -- "He was never on the hot seat with us," Nicastro said -- Wright pressured himself to change.
The coach, along with his staff, made a conscious decision to stop recruiting players who merely wanted to play at Villanova and instead target players Wright wanted to coach at Villanova.
It's a nuanced difference but a big one. There are no obvious NBA first-round draft picks on this year's roster. There isn't even a first-team All-American. Jalen Brunson is the lone McDonald's All American; the next highest-rated player coming out of high school was Ryan Arcidiacono, who was 46th in his class.
"He decided to stop playing the game," Lange said. "He wasn't going to worry about out-recruiting whatever school name you wanted to insert. He wasn't going to out-whatever some other school. He kept saying, 'I'm going to do Villanova.' That wasn't easy to do, and it took some guts, but that's what makes him him."
Wright's version of Villanova is back in the Final Four."
xudash
04-01-2016, 02:13 PM
I respect the hell out of that program and I really like Jay Wright.
That excerpt actually does wonders for me because of how I believe it applies to X. On the one hand, I think Chris will pay attention to the lesson learned. He's well grounded anyway, but fame can be an intoxicating thing. This is an opportunity to learn from someone else's mistake.
On the other hand, Villanova and Xavier share one important thing: a strong culture around their respective basketball programs. The basketball program is the strategic asset for both schools. Villanova has accomplished more and has gone farther than X with respect to a championship and Final Fours, but Xavier has built a remarkable resume over 3+ decades now, and doesn't exactly suffer when it comes to solid success compared to any program save for less than 10 or so blue bloods.
Most important of all, we now get to grow WITH Nova IN THE BIG EAST; we no longer have to over achieve while shackled by A10 membership (yes, the A10 helped us get to where we are, but facts are facts - - Trevon wouldn't have come to X without the Big East membership, etc.)).
Masterofreality
04-02-2016, 11:33 AM
This is a great story. Villanova getting to the Final Four is great, but just the beginning. It's time for Xavier to assume that mantle too, And we WILL, very, very soon.
http://www.app.com/story/sports/college/2016/04/01/carino-why-villanova-matters-final-four/82503476/
paulxu
04-02-2016, 12:39 PM
I was feeling bad about my bracket choices...until I saw this. I'm with Jay.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/villanova-coach-jay-wright-picked-a-big-east-rival-in-his-ncaa-pool-225053829.html
X Factor
04-02-2016, 06:36 PM
Nova looking sharp, up 11 on OU!!
Beat me to it. And looking great! GO 'NOVA!
X Factor
04-02-2016, 06:42 PM
Pouring it on, up 16 now!! Nova is good!
XUFan09
04-02-2016, 06:48 PM
Xavier was heavily recruiting Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins...Clearly the coaching staff can recognize talent. It's fun seeing them in the Final Four.
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X Factor
04-02-2016, 06:50 PM
Buddy Hield's floor slaps are getting annoying.
XUFan09
04-02-2016, 06:52 PM
Raff on Oklahoma: "They gotta get back in the game. The Sooner, the better!" I burst out laughing lol.
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X Factor
04-02-2016, 07:33 PM
Announcers, Rafftery included, are openly rooting for OU. Everytime they make a play, I hear, "there ya go" or "good job".
Ugh...
XUFan09
04-02-2016, 07:34 PM
Announcers, Rafftery included, are openly rooting for OU. Everytime they make a play, I hear, "there ya go" or "good job".
Ugh...
They might just want to see an exciting game. I'm betting much of the nation wants that.
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Masterofreality
04-02-2016, 07:34 PM
Josh Hart is a F-ing MAN!!!
Strange Brew
04-02-2016, 07:36 PM
Announcers, Rafftery included, are openly rooting for OU. Everytime they make a play, I hear, "there ya go" or "good job".
Ugh...
Switch to Tru TV. They have the Nova homer feed I'm currently enjoying. Go Cats!
xudash
04-02-2016, 07:37 PM
Touchdown!
X-ceptional
04-02-2016, 07:41 PM
Wow. Just an impressive display so far from Nova. They really look like they are on a mission--very business-like.
Switch to Tru TV. They have the Nova homer feed I'm currently enjoying. Go Cats!
Interesting indeed! Had to switch back though as the crowd was louder than the announcers. Poor audio job. The worst part of the night for "Nova! I can live with that...
I'm actually enjoying listening to the Sooner announcer getting his butt kicked. Think he'll cry?
XUFan09
04-02-2016, 07:47 PM
The refs took a long time to call an injury timeout for Ochefu. Hope it's nothing big and he's good for Monday night.
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paulxu
04-02-2016, 07:49 PM
Damn. That's a clinic out there. Good for the BE.
scoscox
04-02-2016, 07:50 PM
Announcers, Rafftery included, are openly rooting for OU. Everytime they make a play, I hear, "there ya go" or "good job".
Ugh...
Raftery always does that when a team is getting beat down
They've almost doubled them up, so I guess this could be called a beat down. And a VERY good time!
Muskie
04-02-2016, 08:01 PM
I'm just glad I can stop hearing how good Buddy Hield is.
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bobbiemcgee
04-02-2016, 08:07 PM
no piccolo
Nigel Tufnel
04-02-2016, 08:08 PM
This is the team I've watched the past 3 years that has inexplicably flamed out in the tourney. Nice for the rest of the country to see what I've had to frustratingly observe.
X-ceptional
04-02-2016, 08:10 PM
Holy.
Shit.
XMuskieFTW
04-02-2016, 08:15 PM
Lol that was close.
Michigan Muskie
04-02-2016, 08:16 PM
I don't like many other teams in college basketball outside of Victory Parkway, but I've liked Villanova since I was a kid. I wish with every fiber of my being that the V representing the Big East on Monday night were an X instead, but I am happy for them and happy for the conference. I really hope they take it all.
Mel Cooley XU'81
04-02-2016, 08:23 PM
I was on the Villanova campus yesterday.
Coco Cooley had me there as part of her College Shopping Boondoggle '16.
I'm glad my albeit brief presence inspired the 'Cats to great things.
In horse racing terms, this Villanova win flattered XU.
I feel pretty.
Go Nova.
letskeepitreal
04-02-2016, 08:24 PM
That was a very, very impressive beat down by Nova. Hard to beat a team shooting 72%
paulxu
04-02-2016, 08:24 PM
Other than X still playing some basketball, nothing would please me more than having Nova beat UNC on Monday night.
Masterofreality
04-02-2016, 08:26 PM
"@BannersontheParkway- Did Villanova cover?"
:lol::lol::lol:
"@BannersontheParkway- Did Villanova cover?"
:lol::lol::lol:
That is priceless.
muskiefan82
04-02-2016, 08:48 PM
Wow. That was just the best time for an epic game. Well done Nova.
JEHARDI
04-02-2016, 09:04 PM
That was crazy good!
bobbiemcgee
04-02-2016, 09:59 PM
http://www.phillyvoice.com/villanova-has-re-invented-big-east-back-in-final-f/
BE is back!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2016/04/02/villanovas-romp-to-the-national-title-game-gives-the-big-east-needed-validation/
Xville
04-02-2016, 10:28 PM
Xavier was heavily recruiting Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins...Clearly the coaching staff can recognize talent. It's fun seeing them in the Final Four.
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Yeah it takes some geniuses to recognize guys who were top 100 in every recruting ranking. :rolleyes:
XUFan09
04-02-2016, 11:50 PM
Yeah it takes some geniuses to recognize guys who were top 100 in every recruting ranking. :rolleyes:
Yeah, because top 100 players never fail to pan out. Not to mention the fact that Hart and Jenkins are probably out-performing their recruiting rankings relative to their peers.
drudy23
04-03-2016, 12:55 AM
To me, the Big East gets validation when one of the teams outside of the traditional Big East makes the Final Four. Don't get me wrong...great accomplishment by Nova...but they are the same program that was part of the original Big East.
We're close...but need one more step. We're not quite Villanova...but we can get there. THAT would be validation. Because let's be honest...it's either Nova or us.
Without the influx of money that football brings, we are the torch bearers for the league.
Masterofreality
04-03-2016, 03:29 AM
You know what? Jay Wright can win Coach of the Year whenever he damn well wants to after his post game press conference last night and this Dan Wetzel article. Love this league.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/left-for-dead--big-east-still-alive-and-thriving-thanks-to-villanova-s-surprising-run-025233938-ncaab.html
Xville
04-03-2016, 06:43 AM
Yeah, because top 100 players never fail to pan out. Not to mention the fact that Hart and Jenkins are probably out-performing their recruiting rankings relative to their peers.
Yes except the way you said it made it sound like these guys were diamonds in the rough...they were 4 star top 100 players being recruited by big time schools.
Xville
04-03-2016, 06:46 AM
To me, the Big East gets validation when one of the teams outside of the traditional Big East makes the Final Four. Don't get me wrong...great accomplishment by Nova...but they are the same program that was part of the original Big East.
We're close...but need one more step. We're not quite Villanova...but we can get there. THAT would be validation. Because let's be honest...it's either Nova or us.
Without the influx of money that football brings, we are the torch bearers for the league.
I think Villanova certainly helps the league a bit, but as I have mentioned before, is the sec validated every other year when kentucky makes the final four? Nope people realize the sec still sucks. It's going to be a bit of a process for the new big East to get further validation. Need multiple teams in the sweet 16, followed by a team getting to a final four here and there.
xavierj
04-03-2016, 07:50 AM
I think Villanova certainly helps the league a bit, but as I have mentioned before, is the sec validated every other year when kentucky makes the final four? Nope people realize the sec still sucks. It's going to be a bit of a process for the new big East to get further validation. Need multiple teams in the sweet 16, followed by a team getting to a final four here and there.
At least the Big East performs pretty well in the regular season. The SEC, outside of KY, pretty much is always mediocre to crap year round.
Xville
04-03-2016, 07:58 AM
At least the Big East performs pretty well in the regular season. The SEC, outside of KY, pretty much is always mediocre to crap year round.
That's true...but the regular season doesn't mean much in cbb. I wish it did mean something but it really doesn't except for bubble teams.
I feel like the regular season used to mean something in cbb, but that's gone. No one outside of the diehards like us, even pay attention to the sport until february.
Masterofreality
04-03-2016, 08:18 AM
I think Villanova certainly helps the league a bit, but as I have mentioned before, is the sec validated every other year when kentucky makes the final four? Nope people realize the sec still sucks. It's going to be a bit of a process for the new big East to get further validation. Need multiple teams in the sweet 16, followed by a team getting to a final four here and there.
The SEC is " validated" all the time as being called a Power 5 conference....although it's not. The people who really know know the SEC sucks, but the average fan swallows whatever pap they ESPN feeds them. The Big East will have to fight every year...and that means getting more than one team out of the first weekend.
xubrew
04-03-2016, 09:49 AM
To me, the Big East gets validation when one of the teams outside of the traditional Big East makes the Final Four. Don't get me wrong...great accomplishment by Nova...but they are the same program that was part of the original Big East.
We're close...but need one more step. We're not quite Villanova...but we can get there. THAT would be validation. Because let's be honest...it's either Nova or us.
Without the influx of money that football brings, we are the torch bearers for the league.
You're right about not being validated. People will continue to not think of the Big East as a power conference, and Big East fans will continue to go to pieces every time the league is mentioned as being something less than elite, which will continue to happen. A lot. It certainly helps, but the league still isn't "validated," especially not to those who didn't think it was elite in the first place.
xubrew
04-03-2016, 09:57 AM
Announcers, Rafftery included, are openly rooting for OU. Everytime they make a play, I hear, "there ya go" or "good job".
Ugh...
I think this had to do with envisioning the millions of people across the country who were changing the station because of how bad the game sucked.
Billy Packer, who I really hated as an announcer, was fired from CBS for what I thought was kind of a bullshit reason. During a Final Four game between North Carolina and Kansas, which was a terrible game, he correctly observed that the game was over and said so on the air. So....maybe these guys just didn't want to get fired.
I do find it funny that Billy Packer got fired after the rare occurrence of him actually being right about something.
XUFan09
04-03-2016, 10:50 AM
Yes except the way you said it made it sound like these guys were diamonds in the rough...they were 4 star top 100 players being recruited by big time schools.
I guess what I didn't make clear is that I can also see exactly how they'd fit. Those guys made sense for Xavier too. They weren't simply good players but the RIGHT good players.
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scoscox
04-03-2016, 10:52 AM
That's true...but the regular season doesn't mean much in cbb. I wish it did mean something but it really doesn't except for bubble teams.
I feel like the regular season used to mean something in cbb, but that's gone. No one outside of the diehards like us, even pay attention to the sport until february.
That's not entirely true. Being dominant in the regular season and consistently getting a lot of teams in with good seeds is very important. Marcus Paige said something in the press conference "a lot of teams have very good seasons, but there can still only be one national champion". A lot of teams in the Big East had very good seasons. We put 5 teams in the tourney and have one competing for the title. Only the ACC looks better at this point. Big East has acquitted itself well.
People definitely still pay attention to regular seasons, but EVERYONE pays attention to the Final Four. Since one of our teams just had the biggest blowout in history I think we covered all the bases this year. Be happy!
xubrew
04-03-2016, 11:09 AM
That's not entirely true. Being dominant in the regular season and consistently getting a lot of teams in with good seeds is very important. Marcus Paige said something in the press conference "a lot of teams have very good seasons, but there can still only be one national champion". A lot of teams in the Big East had very good seasons. We put 5 teams in the tourney and have one competing for the title. Only the ACC looks better at this point. Big East has acquitted itself well.
People definitely still pay attention to regular seasons, but EVERYONE pays attention to the Final Four. Since one of our teams just had the biggest blowout in history I think we covered all the bases this year. Be happy!
The Big East has had five teams earn protected seeds in it's current format, and this year's Nova team is the only one that made it past the first weekend. It's better, but 4 out of 5 don't make the Sweet Sixteen, people are still going to say that it's a league that flames out early. Right or wrong, fair or not, that's how many will view it. If you think everyone who was criticizing the Big East before will now no longer do so then I think you're mistaken.
scoscox
04-03-2016, 11:25 AM
The Big East has had five teams earn protected seeds in it's current format, and this year's Nova team is the only one that made it past the first weekend. It's better, but 4 out of 5 don't make the Sweet Sixteen, people are still going to say that it's a league that flames out early. Right or wrong, fair or not, that's how many will view it. If you think everyone who was criticizing the Big East before will now no longer do so then I think you're mistaken.
Maybe. But that's a pretty small sample size. It's not like the Pac-12, SEC, or Big 10 have a lot to stand on after their teams' performances in the tourney this year. The Big East is good. People keep saying it's not the old Big East and that's obvious and I don't think it's pretending to be, but any argument that it's somehow less than a power conference is laughable.
xubrew
04-03-2016, 11:41 AM
Maybe. But that's a pretty small sample size. It's not like the Pac-12, SEC, or Big 10 have a lot to stand on after their teams' performances in the tourney this year. The Big East is good. People keep saying it's not the old Big East and that's obvious and I don't think it's pretending to be, but any argument that it's somehow less than a power conference is laughable.
Laughable or not, critics will continue to say that it's not.
This is the first time since 2011 the Big Ten has not put a team in the Final Four. They had two in there last year. I think they've got plenty to stand on. The Pac Twelve, Big Twelve, and SEC (at least outside of Kentucky and Florida), yeah not so much.
scoscox
04-03-2016, 11:55 AM
Laughable or not, critics will continue to say that it's not.
This is the first time since 2011 the Big Ten has not put a team in the Final Four. They had two in there last year. I think they've got plenty to stand on. The Pac Twelve, Big Twelve, and SEC (at least outside of Kentucky and Florida), yeah not so much.
Ha, that's three of the 5 power conferences, so really you're agreeing with me. I don't think anyone who's not just out to entirely troll would say the Big East isn't competitive at the level of a power conference
bobbiemcgee
04-03-2016, 12:36 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/left-for-dead--big-east-still-alive-and-thriving-thanks-to-villanova-s-surprising-run-025233938-ncaab.html
XUFan09
04-03-2016, 01:53 PM
Ha, that's three of the 5 power conferences, so really you're agreeing with me. I don't think anyone who's not just out to entirely troll would say the Big East isn't competitive at the level of a power conference
You are assuming that most people will be rational and will pursue the evidence before making conclusions. That's a pretty tough assumption to meet. Things like "small sample size" might be valid but it doesn't matter too much.
People are frequently irrational and all too regularly lazy. If writers and pundits keep talking about how the Big East isn't the same (a fair point), which implies that it's now a mid-major (an unfair extreme), people will frequently jump to that latter conclusion. It doesn't logically follow from the first premise, but it doesn't really matter.
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powerofX
04-03-2016, 01:59 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/left-for-dead--big-east-still-alive-and-thriving-thanks-to-villanova-s-surprising-run-025233938-ncaab.html
What a bs headline. Surprising run? They were top 5 most of the year. And there is a bs article on nbc sports blaming tv timeouts for the score discrepancy.
xubrew
04-03-2016, 03:38 PM
Ha, that's three of the 5 power conferences, so really you're agreeing with me. I don't think anyone who's not just out to entirely troll would say the Big East isn't competitive at the level of a power conference
Seemingly at least once a week, someone would start a thread on here bitching and moaning about how someone was shitting on the Big East. My prediction is that it will continue to happen at that same rate all through next season.
The league isn't getting the same treatment as the power conferences. Butler and Providence were both in the top ten. Yet, when other Big East teams beat them those teams didn't rise in the rankings. Instead, Butler and Providence fell out of the rankings. So, unlike other power conferences, it doesn't look like BE teams can play their way into the rankings by doing well in the league. They can only play their way out of the rankings if they don't. Hell, I think Seton Hall went through a stretch where htey were 12-1 in BE play, but STILL weren't in the rankings. What other major conference does that happen in??
Fair or not, right or wrong, the league still isn't respected the way the other power conferences are. I don't care as much about it, and think if anything people should stop worrying about it. But, I'm also not blind. We aren't respected like the other power leagues, and still won't be next year.
xubrew
04-03-2016, 03:40 PM
what a bs headline. Surprising run? They were top 5 most of the year. And there is a bs article on nbc sports blaming tv timeouts for the score discrepancy.
case in point!!!
GoMuskies
04-03-2016, 04:06 PM
Providence stuck around in the rankings longer than anyone reasonably could have expected. I have a hard time using them as an example of the Big East NOT getting respect. They definitely got more than they deserved.
Win tomorrow. Get at least 2 teams to the Sweet 16 next year, with one progressing. Progress takes time. Eventually even the ignorant masses will catch on.
XUFan09
04-03-2016, 04:12 PM
Providence stuck around in the rankings longer than anyone reasonably could have expected. I have a hard time using them as an example of the Big East NOT getting respect. They definitely got more than they deserved.
Butler too. That defense was godawful. I remember someone presenting them as a case of Xavier beating a top 10 team. Technically, they were, but you would have to be lying to yourself to actually think that Butler's ranking at the time was in any way connected to reality. Even when they were at their best, they weren't top-10 good.
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usfldan
04-03-2016, 05:17 PM
Hell, I think Seton Hall went through a stretch where they were 12-1 in BE play, but STILL weren't in the rankings. What other major conference does that happen in??
Isn't this similar to your case for not wanting to play an unnamed, unranked Big Ten team in the tournament?
xubrew
04-03-2016, 06:26 PM
Isn't this similar to your case for not wanting to play an unnamed, unranked Big Ten team in the tournament?
The team in question was ranked going into the conference tournaments. Well, at least in one of the polls. But, to your point, yes, I don't think they were respected either. I think I kinda made it known that I thought them to be better. At least....I think so. I'm not sure who you're talking about.
LA Muskie
04-04-2016, 01:01 AM
I honestly didn't sense a lack of respect at all this year. We had 2 in the top 5 and 3 in the top 10 for much of the year. Two of which (XU and Providence) had subjective rankings significantly better than their corresponding computer rankings.
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UCGRAD4X
04-04-2016, 07:27 AM
I honestly didn't sense a lack of respect at all this year. We had 2 in the top 5 and 3 in the top 10 for much of the year. Two of which (XU and Providence) had subjective rankings significantly better than their corresponding computer rankings.
We got in the top five and the name Xavier was in many conversations for final four and even a few @ NC possibilities (and pronounced correctly more often than not). Considering the way the post-season played out, I would tend to say the Musketeers under-performed compared to the given respect.
Masterofreality
04-04-2016, 08:53 AM
I hate the headline because the league is "Legitimate" already, but a pretty fair article on SI.com
http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/04/03/ncaa-tournament-villanova-big-east
xubrew
04-04-2016, 10:00 AM
I honestly didn't sense a lack of respect at all this year. We had 2 in the top 5 and 3 in the top 10 for much of the year. Two of which (XU and Providence) had subjective rankings significantly better than their corresponding computer rankings.
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YOU didn't sense a lack of respect. I know YOU didn't. I personally really didn't either (although I did think it was a little nuts that Seton Hall didn't crack the rankings until the end, but I attribute that to the rankings sucking in general).
I'm speaking in terms of the people who fly off the handle when they hear Jay Bilas say that the Big Twelve is the only major conference that plays a double round robins when he's calling a Big Twelve game, or when someone makes any reference at all to the Power Five without including the Big East in that reference. That will not change, and I think those same people will still feel like the Big East is being slighted.
paulxu
04-04-2016, 10:33 AM
I remain very depressed that the Muskies didn't advance further in this year's tournament. We had (my opinion) the right balance to go much further.
It seemed very reasonable to expect an Elite 8, and I thought we give UNC a game in that round.
Despite that, after 2014 (with nobody in S16) and 2015 (with Xavier in S16) it was very important to have someone go deep from the conference to validate it in the pundits' eyes (and mouths).
Nova has done us all proud by being in the game tonight. I hope that kick the crap out of UNC. That's going to make it difficult for a lot of the talking heads to deal with...and I like that.
Musketeer
04-04-2016, 11:08 AM
would have been nice to get another team advancing further, but Nova making the championship is good for the Big East
xubrew
04-04-2016, 12:22 PM
I remain very depressed that the Muskies didn't advance further in this year's tournament. We had (my opinion) the right balance to go much further.
It seemed very reasonable to expect an Elite 8, and I thought we give UNC a game in that round.
Despite that, after 2014 (with nobody in S16) and 2015 (with Xavier in S16) it was very important to have someone go deep from the conference to validate it in the pundits' eyes (and mouths).
Nova has done us all proud by being in the game tonight. I hope that kick the crap out of UNC. That's going to make it difficult for a lot of the talking heads to deal with...and I like that.
Notre Dame didn't scare me at all. We were very close from walking into the Elite Eight, at least in my mind, so I understand being very depressed.
I understand about feeling depressed. I'm going to show you something that literally haunted me for over a year....
2050
2049
How the hell is this not a foul??
For months afterward, all the way up until the NCAA Tournament the following year, I was pissed that this was not called. If it had been, I think Xavier goes to the Final Four in 2008. I couldn't get it out of my head. I was watching the Western Kentucky v UCLA game before we played West Virginia thinking that UCLA shouldn't even be there. After we beat West Virginia, I was pissed that we were having to play UCLA. All throughout the UCLA game I was pissed because I felt we shouldn't even have to play them.
That's irrational. That's childish. But, that's how I felt. I know it probably isn't how I should have felt, but that was how I felt.
I don't know at what point I stopped getting as pissed off about things like this. But, now my attitude seems to be that this is just part of it. I'm still disappointed, but I no longer look at it as the whole world lining up to work against us like I used to. So, I've gone from being beyond frustrated to being of the thought that things just suck sometimes.
bobbiemcgee
04-04-2016, 12:28 PM
http://www.vuhoops.com/2016/4/3/11358488/villanova-mentioned-on-the-simpsons
xubrew
04-04-2016, 12:33 PM
http://www.vuhoops.com/2016/4/3/11358488/villanova-mentioned-on-the-simpsons
I thought it took them fourteen months to produce an episode of the Simpsons. I wonder how long they've been waiting to use that opening?
what can I say? This type of support is simply awesome to see and its part of what makes the league pretty special. Thank you!
We all know how special this league is and has been. I've said it many times; I prefer this to the 06-13 version. While I do think its hard to cpompare different eras, it is very similar to the start-up nature of the 80s. All those coaches including Big John, Jimmy B etc had a a chip against the blue blood acc and they all rooted for each other; was a like a small club in those days and it feels like that now too. By the 3rd year back then, a BE team was playing Carolina in the finals; how about that? Lets hope this result this evening is different. And lets hope there are 3 BE teams in the final four 3 years later, just like it happened back then. We are lucky and i thik the conference will onlyget better.
bobbiemcgee
04-04-2016, 12:55 PM
Jay Wright has been great giving props to the Conference. All the Best tonite. Gooooo 'Nova!
nuts4xu
04-04-2016, 01:10 PM
Rooting for Villanova tonight, really hope they can win it. I have high respect for the university, Jay Wright, and I really like this group of players.
Congrats to the Wildcats on the season so far, now finish it off! Let's Go Nova!!
xudash
04-04-2016, 01:54 PM
what can I say? This type of support is simply awesome to see and its part of what makes the league pretty special. Thank you!
We all know how special this league is and has been. I've said it many times; I prefer this to the 06-13 version. While I do think its hard to cpompare different eras, it is very similar to the start-up nature of the 80s. All those coaches including Big John, Jimmy B etc had a a chip against the blue blood acc and they all rooted for each other; was a like a small club in those days and it feels like that now too. By the 3rd year back then, a BE team was playing Carolina in the finals; how about that? Lets hope this result this evening is different. And lets hope there are 3 BE teams in the final four 3 years later, just like it happened back then. We are lucky and i thik the conference will onlyget better.
Pulling for you all the way NOVA.
Admire your school, coach and program. Go get 'em.
Milhouse
04-04-2016, 03:11 PM
I thought it took them fourteen months to produce an episode of the Simpsons. I wonder how long they've been waiting to use that opening?
maybe in 1994 it took that long. It's all digital now.
GIMMFD
04-04-2016, 04:03 PM
I think this is going to be a helluva game, Ochefu vs. Brice Johnson, will Marcus Paige have a field day driving on Arch, a lot of unanswered questions for me, I'm obviously rooting for Nova, I'm really hoping they shoot lights out again tonight, I absolutely hate UNC.
American X
04-04-2016, 04:25 PM
https://media.giphy.com/media/3o85xmGTvn9PoLjA7C/giphy.gif
JEHARDI
04-04-2016, 11:34 PM
Awesome!
letskeepitreal
04-04-2016, 11:34 PM
Unbelievable win. Congrats to Villanova
muskiefan82
04-04-2016, 11:37 PM
Congrats nova! Strange to honestly be happy for a conference rival, but there it is. I love this conference!
SkyWalker
04-04-2016, 11:39 PM
Great Final! Congrats Nova!!!
X Factor
04-04-2016, 11:40 PM
I actually jumped and screamed when Jenkins made that three...
Congrats Nova!!
Can't wait till next year so I can hate them again.
nuts4xu
04-04-2016, 11:41 PM
So happy for this Villanova team! I love this league!
So happy for this Villanova team! I love this league!
They sit atop the highest mountain with you. CHAMPIONS!
Masterofreality
04-05-2016, 12:42 AM
What an amazing game and finish!
The Executives at Fox Sports have opened the vault and are cracking open the 100 year old bottle of Champagne in the Executive Suites in New York City.
I guess Fox underpaid for the Big East rights, huh?
waggy
04-05-2016, 01:03 AM
Was the confetti carolina blue?
MauriceX
04-05-2016, 01:18 AM
Was the confetti carolina blue?
2052
I took a picture of the celebration, extracted the color of the confetti, and put it next to Carolina Blue for comparison.
In short, yes.
Strange Brew
04-05-2016, 01:24 AM
2052
I took a picture of the celebration, extracted the color of the confetti, and put it next to Carolina Blue for comparison.
In short, yes.
That wasn't confetti, they were Carolina blue tears and they were delicious.
waggy
04-05-2016, 02:17 AM
http://www.xavierhoops.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2052&stc=1
I took a picture of the celebration, extracted the color of the confetti, and put it next to Carolina Blue for comparison.
.
This is absurd and you are insane. But well done.
bigdiggins
04-05-2016, 06:54 AM
2052
I took a picture of the celebration, extracted the color of the confetti, and put it next to Carolina Blue for comparison.
In short, yes.
Looks like Villanova's trim color to me.
bleedXblue
04-05-2016, 07:23 AM
THANK YOU VILLANOVA !!!!!! Well done!!
Masterofreality
04-05-2016, 08:25 AM
I'm still giddy over last night. What a game, what a finish and what a way to shut up all the naysayers.
Villanova has done their part. Now it is up to the rest of us to do ours, and I think we will. We have the coaches..other than JT3, Laeito and maybe Mullin, the media markets and the infrastructure. Kids want to come to these schools and everyone does it the right way.
I love the summer, but can we somehow fast forward to November? I'll be watching Xavier games on replay all spring..especially that Villanova Game at Cintas. Let's get it!
Masterofreality
04-05-2016, 08:26 AM
That wasn't confetti, they were Carolina blue tears and they were delicious.
...Tasty just like a blue Popsicle.
Public and private reps!
Lloyd Braun
04-05-2016, 08:47 AM
"Bang (https://vine.co/v/iI7EFe3KKBT)"
I've just been mulling over how impressive this Villanova team and season have been. Take a look at their road through the tournament. They did not benefit from any upsets at all. The only team they played after an upset was #2 OU who beat #1 Oregon (which really wasn't an upset). Their road was through a 12, 7, 3, 1, 2 and 1.
KabeX
04-05-2016, 09:25 AM
And 2 of those #1s were ACC & Big 12 Champs. You can't say they didn't earn it!
I've just been mulling over how impressive this Villanova team and season have been. Take a look at their road through the tournament. They did not benefit from any upsets at all. The only team they played after an upset was #2 OU who beat #1 Oregon (which really wasn't an upset). Their road was through a 12, 7, 3, 1, 2 and 1.
Masterofreality
04-05-2016, 09:32 AM
I've just been mulling over how impressive this Villanova team and season have been. Take a look at their road through the tournament. They did not benefit from any upsets at all. The only team they played after an upset was #2 OU who beat #1 Oregon (which really wasn't an upset). Their road was through a 12, 7, 3, 1, 2 and 1.
The Committee didn't exactly give the best Big East team an easy road. RespectEarned
XUMIOH12
04-05-2016, 11:31 AM
congrats to Villanova. They capped off a great season with a championship and probably had the toughest road to do so. Well deserved!
nuts4xu
04-05-2016, 11:37 AM
"Bang (https://vine.co/v/iI7EFe3KKBT)"
One of the coolest reactions ever to such a dramatic moment.
Very simple "Bang", then he turns calmly towards the UNC bench and starts walking over to shake Roy's hand.
I read about this on twitter, this is the first time I have seen it on video. Very Baller of him!
Masterofreality
04-05-2016, 11:55 AM
I wish I could figure out a way to post it here, but there is a vine of the game ending with a TBS cameraman shooting Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith is in the background. Jenkins's shot goes in and Sir Charles goes berserk, jumping up and down. Kenny just quietly walks back to his chair, devastated while Ernie Johnson is numb.
X-band '01
04-05-2016, 12:27 PM
Tracy Wolfson also had a look of amazement right behind Jay Wright on TV. Scott Graham and Brian Finneran were both losing it on the Nova stream on TruTV last night as well.
XUMIOH12
04-05-2016, 12:28 PM
I wish I could figure out a way to post it here, but there is a vine of the game ending with a TBS cameraman shooting Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith is in the background. Jenkins's shot goes in and Sir Charles goes berserk, jumping up and down. Kenny just quietly walks back to his chair, devastated while Ernie Johnson is numb.
That was a pretty cool video. They showed Kenny Smith going nuts after Paige made that 3, too.
chico
04-05-2016, 12:38 PM
I've just been mulling over how impressive this Villanova team and season have been. Take a look at their road through the tournament. They did not benefit from any upsets at all. The only team they played after an upset was #2 OU who beat #1 Oregon (which really wasn't an upset). Their road was through a 12, 7, 3, 1, 2 and 1.
Good point. The total "seed" number is 26. I wonder if that's the lowest total seed number ever for a champion.
They also covered the spread in every game they played. (And the over last night was 150 - the 3-pointer made the final total 151).
xubrew
04-05-2016, 01:00 PM
Good point. The total "seed" number is 26. I wonder if that's the lowest total seed number ever for a champion.
They also covered the spread in every game they played. (And the over last night was 150 - the 3-pointer made the final total 151).
To further this point, they beat three teams who had been ranked #1 in Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Carolina, and two other teams who had been ranked in the top ten in Iowa and Miami FL. And, three of those five teams they didn't just beat. They absolutely clobbered. I don't know when the last time I saw a team absolutely blast a Final Four caliber team the way Nova blasted Oklahoma. Has it ever happened?? Did UNLV's thrashing of Duke in 1990 even equal that?? Has any team at any point ever played a better and more impressive game than Nova's FF game against Oklahoma??
Nova took a lot of crap for going out early the last two years. They made up for all of that in then some this year. They didn't just win the national title, they blasted two top ten teams, and beat two more top ten teams, and blasted yet another team that had been in the top ten, in the process. WOW!!!!
chico
04-05-2016, 01:06 PM
I wish I could figure out a way to post it here, but there is a vine of the game ending with a TBS cameraman shooting Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith is in the background. Jenkins's shot goes in and Sir Charles goes berserk, jumping up and down. Kenny just quietly walks back to his chair, devastated while Ernie Johnson is numb.
Here's a link - don't know how to embed a Facebook video but I'm sure someone more savvy than me can do it.
https://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT/videos/10156912278130724/?fref=nf
chico
04-05-2016, 01:09 PM
Here's a link - don't know how to embed a Facebook video but I'm sure someone more savvy than me can do it.
https://www.facebook.com/NBAONTNT/videos/10156912278130724/?fref=nf
I'm guessing Charles had money on the game.
(How the hell did I pull a Snipe and quote myself. This modern technology frightens and confuses me).
paulxu
04-05-2016, 01:32 PM
SportsCenter
@sportscenter
Villanova is 1st national champ to beat 4 AP Top-10 teams in a single NCAA Tournament since... Villanova in 1985.
To further this point, they beat three teams who had been ranked #1 in Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Carolina, and two other teams who had been ranked in the top ten in Iowa and Miami FL. And, three of those five teams they didn't just beat. They absolutely clobbered. I don't know when the last time I saw a team absolutely blast a Final Four caliber team the way Nova blasted Oklahoma. Has it ever happened?? Did UNLV's thrashing of Duke in 1990 even equal that?? Has any team at any point ever played a better and more impressive game than Nova's FF game against Oklahoma??
Nova took a lot of crap for going out early the last two years. They made up for all of that in then some this year. They didn't just win the national title, they two three top ten teams, and beat two more top ten teams, and blasted yet another team that had been in the top ten, in the process. WOW!!!!
Yup. There should be a moratorium on any and all crap Nova has taken for its "March struggles" under Wright. This was one of the most impressive tears through the NCAA Tournament since UK in 1996.
Nova last year earned their highest seed in school history, only to be unceremoniously bounced in the second round by an 8-seed. Boy, did they use last year as motivation to win it all this year.
Here's to hoping Xavier's similar demise this year leads to a similar outcome next.
scoscox
04-05-2016, 01:41 PM
To further this point, they beat three teams who had been ranked #1 in Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Carolina, and two other teams who had been ranked in the top ten in Iowa and Miami FL. And, three of those five teams they didn't just beat. They absolutely clobbered. I don't know when the last time I saw a team absolutely blast a Final Four caliber team the way Nova blasted Oklahoma. Has it ever happened?? Did UNLV's thrashing of Duke in 1990 even equal that?? Has any team at any point ever played a better and more impressive game than Nova's FF game against Oklahoma??
Nova took a lot of crap for going out early the last two years. They made up for all of that in then some this year. They didn't just win the national title, they two three top ten teams, and beat two more top ten teams, and blasted yet another team that had been in the top ten, in the process. WOW!!!!
I don't remember anyone ever having this kind of tournament. Miami, Iowa, and Oklahoma were all top ten teams, all considered Final Four contenders and all at some point or another considered Villanova's equal or better and Villanova absolutely thrashed all of them. They weren't really considered favored in almost all of their games. I mean just wiped the floor with everyone. It was awesome to see them continually be disregarded every round as a trendy upset pick and continue to just make those predictions look absurd. Loved it. Vindication
To further this point, they beat three teams who had been ranked #1 in Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Carolina, and two other teams who had been ranked in the top ten in Iowa and Miami FL. And, three of those five teams they didn't just beat. They absolutely clobbered. I don't know when the last time I saw a team absolutely blast a Final Four caliber team the way Nova blasted Oklahoma. Has it ever happened?? Did UNLV's thrashing of Duke in 1990 even equal that?? Has any team at any point ever played a better and more impressive game than Nova's FF game against Oklahoma??
Nova took a lot of crap for going out early the last two years. They made up for all of that in then some this year. They didn't just win the national title, they two three top ten teams, and beat two more top ten teams, and blasted yet another team that had been in the top ten, in the process. WOW!!!!
Oklahoma was undoubtedly the most impressive win IMO.
Fun fact, their 44 point differential against OU was their largest of the year. 2nd largest? 37 against....Fairleigh Dickinson.... Can you imagine your literally biggest win coming in the Final Four?
xubrew
04-05-2016, 02:41 PM
Oklahoma was undoubtedly the most impressive win IMO.
Fun fact, their 44 point differential against OU was their largest of the year. 2nd largest? 37 against....Fairleigh Dickinson.... Can you imagine your literally biggest win coming in the Final Four?
I don't know much trivia, but I know some. In 1951 CCNY beat Kentucky 89-50 in the NIT semifinals. That's not the NCAA, but I think up until 1952 the NIT was actually played after the NCAA Tournament, and a lot of teams played in both, including the team who had won the NCAA Tournament, so it was actually considered to be as big as the NCAAs. So, even though it was the NIT, it was still considered to be a major semifinal.
Well, Nova's win was bigger, and arguably more surprising. Then again, that was about thirty years before I was born.
Masterofreality
04-05-2016, 02:51 PM
I don't know much trivia, but I know some. In 1951 CCNY beat Kentucky 89-50 in the NIT semifinals. That's not the NCAA, but I think up until 1952 the NIT was actually played after the NCAA Tournament, and a lot of teams played in both, including the team who had won the NCAA Tournament, so it was actually considered to be as big as the NCAAs. So, even though it was the NIT, it was still considered to be a major semifinal.
Well, Nova's win was bigger, and arguably more surprising. Then again, that was about thirty years before I was born.
But after Nova's boatraced of Okie, they HAD to come back with a strong game vs North Carolina. Very impressive back to backs.
scoscox
04-05-2016, 02:58 PM
I was surprised how well they never seemed to miss a beat playing back to back
That's why I watch college basketball as a sport. Good players, good coaches, no attitudes, refs stayed out of the way. Balanced play, no superstar domination. Great seesaw action, and at the end no chokes, just two good teams and Nova had the ball last.
Wright teaches that jump stop, anchored pivot, back and forth really well. Nova defends bigs very well by putting the body on the big. They neutralize post mismatches continuously. It helps to have strong big guards, but if we are going to go deep, Mack needs to find more strong athletic and smart players for defense. Remy is gone, who steps up?
Masterofreality
04-05-2016, 03:01 PM
Good point Emp.
Carolina fans were bellyaching about the officiating last night. I actually think that they called a great game...letting it flow beautifully.
paulxu
04-05-2016, 06:10 PM
DeCourcy's take if not already posted.
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball-news/4700914-villanova-big-east-conference-realignment-new-league-move-teams-old-jay-wright
Xville
04-05-2016, 06:41 PM
DeCourcy's take if not already posted.
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball-news/4700914-villanova-big-east-conference-realignment-new-league-move-teams-old-jay-wright
In other words, Villanova has done their job...now it is time for others to do theirs. Excited for next year and beyond.
bobbiemcgee
04-05-2016, 08:56 PM
“In my pool, my family pool, which we do, just in the family, everybody has to pick Villanova all the way through in one bracket,” Wright said. “I had Xavier in my other bracket. I just thought they were good enough, and they are. Just like Kansas is good enough to win this whole thing, just matchups in one game, you know.”
Masterofreality
04-05-2016, 09:22 PM
This is a great article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. This guy gets it.
http://www.startribune.com/yeah-villanova-hallelujah-big-east-you-have-it-right/374630341/
MADXSTER
04-05-2016, 09:50 PM
This is a great article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. This guy gets it.
http://www.startribune.com/yeah-villanova-hallelujah-big-east-you-have-it-right/374630341/
You are correct. A perfect article about the Big East.
Cheesehead
04-06-2016, 01:08 PM
nice pub for the Big East. Big10 can keep Rutgers LOL
XUMIOH12
04-06-2016, 01:46 PM
This is a great article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. This guy gets it.
http://www.startribune.com/yeah-villanova-hallelujah-big-east-you-have-it-right/374630341/
great find. this writer gets it and created a nice little article about why it is what it is right now.
LutherRackleyRulez
04-07-2016, 05:31 AM
The Winning is only Beginning for Villanova.....
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160407_The_winning_s_only_beginning_for_Villanov a.html
gladdenguy
04-07-2016, 11:01 AM
I'm guessing Charles had money on the game.
(How the hell did I pull a Snipe and quote myself. This modern technology frightens and confuses me).
I agree Chico.......OR Charles is one of those buddies (a dick that is) that likes to root against his buddy (Kenny Smith). Whichever it was.....makes me like Charles a little more after that. Now, if that is a sUCks fan to me and I'm not on television.....I might have laid my buddy out if he reacted like that next to me (and it was Xavier in that position).
I agree Chico.......OR Charles is one of those buddies (a dick that is) that likes to root against his buddy (Kenny Smith). Whichever it was.....makes me like Charles a little more after that. Now, if that is a sUCks fan to me and I'm not on television.....I might have laid my buddy out if he reacted like that next to me (and it was Xavier in that position).
Charles' daughter is a recent Nova grad and supposedly lives and dies with the team (as all alums should :)). He is good friends with Jay from the late 80s but I thik attributed most of his rooting interest to his daugher. He actually said he was picking against them starting with the Miami game as not to jinx them.
xudash
04-07-2016, 11:16 AM
Charles' daughter is a recent Nova grad and supposedly lives and dies with the team (as all alums should :)). He is good friends with Jay from the late 80s but I thik attributed most of his rooting interest to his daugher. He actually said he was picking against them starting with the Miami game as not to jinx them.
That's funny.
He gets it. To bad Lee Korso hasn't figured that out on the football side of things. He can be the kiss of death for a team at times.
gladdenguy
04-07-2016, 12:40 PM
Charles' daughter is a recent Nova grad and supposedly lives and dies with the team (as all alums should :)). He is good friends with Jay from the late 80s but I thik attributed most of his rooting interest to his daugher. He actually said he was picking against them starting with the Miami game as not to jinx them.
Nova,
I was hoping you would post again in the near future. First of all congratulations. I can't even imagine what you are feeling this week. As a Cincinnati native (Bengals, Reds, Xavier, and Michigan fan), the only time I truly rejoiced over sports was in 1997 when Michigan won it all (I was only 18) and in 1990 when the Reds won (I was only 11 sweeping the streets drinking pop and eating candy). I haven't had much to cheer about when it comes to sports living in this city. I need to find different hobbies.
Can you provide a replay of your mood during the entire game, your reaction at the end, and anything else crazy that you did, saw, or heard about? I'm so curious. Not to mention it was one of the best endings to any championship for any sport.
I just realized I have never known a HUGE college basketball fan "with legitimate reasons to be a fan" (ie being from the town or who went to the school) to win a championship. I just thought about that. Wow.
I know some North Carolina and Duke fans from Cincinnati but I don't consider that to be anything like us as diehard Xavier fans or like yourself as a diehard Nova fan.
Nova,
I was hoping you would post again in the near future. First of all congratulations. I can't even imagine what you are feeling this week. As a Cincinnati native (Bengals, Reds, Xavier, and Michigan fan), the only time I truly rejoiced over sports was in 1997 when Michigan won it all (I was only 18) and in 1990 when the Reds won (I was only 11 sweeping the streets drinking pop and eating candy). I haven't had much to cheer about when it comes to sports living in this city. I need to find different hobbies.
Can you provide a replay of your mood during the entire game, your reaction at the end, and anything else crazy that you did, saw, or heard about? I'm so curious. Not to mention it was one of the best endings to any championship for any sport.
I just realized I have never known a HUGE college basketball fan "with legitimate reasons to be a fan" (ie being from the town or who went to the school) to win a championship. I just thought about that. Wow.
I know some North Carolina and Duke fans from Cincinnati but I don't consider that to be anything like us as diehard Xavier fans or like yourself as a diehard Nova fan.
Thanks, Gladden. Diehard absolutely describes my fandom for the 'cats. Went to school there during the kerry kittles/alvin williams years and have been hooked ever since. Big east years of Iverson, ray Allen and kittles were tremendous. I just love everything about the program and what it represents; unfortunately I was not a fan in '85 and my football and pro hoops teams have never won a championship so this was my first. And what an amazingly special one at that.
I was able attend a couple of games this year; try to make at least two every year. The pavillion ticket is hard to get but some road games and wells fargo are good options for the majority of the fanbase. Went to a BE tourney game and also a couple of NCAA games during this run but could not attend Houston as much as I would have liked to.
I actually looked forward to watching on my flatscreen, focused at home. My wife is an alum, as well, and my kids are really really into it. We had some poeple over and it was a really nice scene. Kind of a wide array of emotions throughout March. There was obviously a lot of pressure on this tournament. When we got out of round 2, I felt like ok, I think one more win and a trip to the elite 8 really validates this season and this goup overall; the rest is gravy. I was really mindful of the fact that this group in the last 3 seasons going into the tourney had a 92-13 record (now 98-13) and I just felt they really deserved a run at least to the elite 8. As they won their first 3 games it in such impressive fashion, at the Kansas game I felt that the college hoops prize (the final 4) was so close and I was therefore really nervous for that one. For Oklahoma, I really felt I was playing with house money so was a for some reason a lot less nervous heading into that one. I was also confident though. And then Monday night comes,and I thought I was going to have the similar "house money" attitude and i did with Kansas but when you actually realize a championship is so close, I literally was a bundle of nerves the entire day.
The entire game was tremendous. In most games, I dont live and die by each basket the entire game but in this game we all did. My kids were on the edge of their seats. We all were. The quality of thae game only added to it. I thought it really was played at a high level and good example of what makes college sports and just spoets in general so great. Nova goes up 10 and I'm feeling great and the entire last few minutes I just felt good we would pull it out UNTIL Paige hit that shot. At that point, I was like what just happened but a part of me just had a feeling. When the play unfolded, I saw jenkins even before Grant Hill said he's got jenkins. The execution just looked perfoect (with not so great D helping). And when hehit it, it was similar to Barkleys reaction in my household. My daughter was crying. Was just craziness. I stayed up until 3 soaking in all the celbration, press conferences and ESPN coverage which was just awesome.
One of my favorite parts of this week has beenseeing all the reactions. The pavillion looked tremendous. All the bars and reactions did. My buddies in Houstion said it was insanity. Obviously part of me is pinching myself at just winning a championship, which in and of itself is an amazing feeling as a diehard sports fan. Honestly, nothing better!! But also, just the perfect way it all happened. The hype associated with the way it happened, the fact that that the highlight will be replayed for the next 30 years, the outpouring of congrats on the board, from friends, the attention nationally, the big FU to the Big east detractors; all of itis beyond surreal. The withdrawl of it all has not hit yet bc there is still just so much excitement to it. Still on cloud 9!
vee4xu
04-07-2016, 07:20 PM
I love that the Big East won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, as it's seemingly referred to now, but am lukewarm on any team other than Xavier winning it. I am too big an X fan to be totally happy for any other conference team. Just bein' real folks. Envy is a horrible thing. That being said, I did hear today that Villanova has more championships since 1985 than all 4 of the Philly pro teams combined from 1985-2016. Phillies have the only other one. As a Cleveland fan, I now don't feel so badly.
paulxu
04-08-2016, 11:44 AM
Just a "little" love for X here.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:15147778
MauriceX
04-08-2016, 12:33 PM
Just a "little" love for X here.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:15147778
I am on the fence about this clip. They say the Big East is good and bash the AAC in the same segment, so you gotta enjoy that. But the way the clip ended made it all feel very back handed. I think we all want the teams in our league to improve, but her saying that the league would become irrelevant (like the AAC hehe) if Georgetown, Seton Hall, and St. John's don't get better completely disregards 1) the fact that Seton Hall already is good and 2) that there are 6 other teams in the league capable of bringing it (I left out DePaul... at least for the foreseeable future).
I don't think the Big East has to worry about becoming irrelevant in College Basketball. There is too much basketball pedigree here. We had 40% of the conference in the top 10 at various points of this past year. We had 50% of our conference make the tournament. It will never be a conference of "Villanova and the rejects." It's frustrating that the media sees it that way though, because teams are gonna keep dropping out of the polls during conference season when we are all beating each other up.
But hey, baby steps. ESPN said we were better than the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC. I guess I'll take that for today.
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