Villanova Game

[ManhattAn1]

Just bought 4 for Saturday.

Will be there.............. Let's Go Redmen.

Let's get a good base down there and take over the wells fargo similiar to Lavin's first year.

 

[logen]

Whoa whoa...we got Butler in a few days. Can't be thinking anything but win #18.
I'd like to see these guys run them out of the gym early.

On the subject of Butler, I hate 9 pm games. I think it is very easy to come out flat, and play a very sloppy game. These kids should be sky guy, and brining the intensity back to the Garden shouldn't be a problem. The best things fans can do to help avoid a letdown is to show up in numbers, and be loud. Just three home games remaining - if you've been saving your quarters, now would be a good time to break the piggybank and buy a ticket (Use code SJUBB or TZOO on Ticketmaster for discount tickets)

Isn't Butler playing at 9 pm also? If you are a good team things like start times don't factor into your intensity level. We are becoming a good team and I for one will be incredibly disappointed if we play with anything but the same effort we played with last night. If we lose make it because Butler played an '85 Nova game.

Another silly post by you. If we played them outdoors on an ice covered court, the conditions would be the same for both teams, but not optimal for good baskertball. We played a very sloppy game vs. SHU, and I believe the late start contributed to it. Last night we played one of our best games of the season, perhaps the best game. I don't know how you define effort, but I think you can play hard but poorly. Rest assured, Butler can beat our team, and not 6 weeks ago, a number of respected posters thought they were an NCAA team.

You know who wrote the following? You

" To say this game is an easy win or I fear this opponent more means nothing because of the very essence of the beauty of sport "on any given night." The foul shot analysis by my buddy was just meant to convey the fine line between winning and losing at this level and the meaningless of stats."

Here's another one of your posts:

"Hopefully the players don't think that way; we are certainly not good enough to consider any game anything but dangerous."

Honestly, I think you post stuff to be a contrarian and you have no idea what you are writing.

Well, I definetly post stuff to be a contrarian, big part of my personality. But I also just as definetly know what I am talking about. I don't post a million silly posts about how if this happened or that happened we would be the second coming of UCLA. Or if we play poorly it is because we are starting at 9 o'clock insted of 7. Did you ever play a sport? There is NOTHING more irrelevant than a starting time if you are a focused athlete. Those are just lame excuses or nonsensical attempts by you to act like you know something. To take it down a level; so we would be affected by a starting time but Butler wouldn't? Not sure about the quotes you wasted your time digging up because they were just attempts to respond to the inanity of your predicting easy games and tough games; turns out SHU, "an easy game", was a nail-biter while Gtown, the team we couldn't beat, was a wire to wire 20 point victory. That's why I am a contrarian to you and other posters who grace us with the Nostradamus predictions of what's going to happen; IMO it's all nonsense but it is fun and I mean that, none of this is serious at least from my point of view. If I am getting on your nerves let me know and I'll stop responding because it is all good to me, nothing personal.

Very respectful post. I'm sure I saw you play on one of Clair Bee's teams - so did you play D1, D2, D3?. You are a contrarian - you contradict yourself post to post.. So we can disagree about start time, but I think it matters - you don't - who cares?

I don't predict anything - but I was worried about SHU on their own court with good reason, and also G'town. If we see them again, especially with Josh Smith, we could lose, even at MSG.

Not sure I contradict myself but I will take your word for it. This is fun to me and I love to "debate" and bust chops (I'm from Jersey) so it is very possible. This will be my last reply to one of your posts, my goal is not to upset anyone (except maybe bobre but he is pretty much gone); like I said this board is just fun to me, not serious. I apologize for any stress I might have caused you. And for the record I played NAIA; not quite in Clair Bee's time but I graduated HS in 1968; played many times with and against Rick Barry (went to the same HS 6 years or so after him.) Early on he came home pretty often and played in the summers. I played against Ernie D once and certainly got out-played pretty good but didn't embarass myself. So I could play a little but like all skills it is relative (not sure the relevance of the question but there you go and like all has-beens I appreciate the opportunity to talk about the past.)

 

[Amaseinyourface]

I think the biggest key to this game is foul trouble. For both teams. If we are able to keep our main guys out of foul trouble while getting pinkston into foul trouble, we will have a great chance to win.

 

[simplyred]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

Hear, hear! They've had a much better year than I could have ever envisioned but I just don't see why people are so scared of them. We played them close the first time. They got violated by Creighton twice...and we all know how we've done against Creighton.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are as good as any team in the Big East!!!

 

[beast of the east]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

So, in your opinion, it will either be a win or a loss?

 

[Moose]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

Hear, hear! They've had a much better year than I could have ever envisioned but I just don't see why people are so scared of them. We played them close the first time. They got violated by Creighton twice...and we all know how we've done against Creighton.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are as good as any team in the Big East!!!

Because people see the # next to their name and Jay Wright love fest that people have had here since he was Hofstra coach. We match well with them. They have similar players to what we recruit. I think Marquette road game is tougher honestly.

 

[Moose]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

So, in your opinion, it will either be a win or a loss?

I don't like making predictions. If you look at prediction threads I RARELY do. My last line is a statement to those who are pretty much chalking up the L because were playing a Top 10 team on the road. The Wachovia/Wells Fargo/First Union or whatever Bank Center is hardly a house of horrors.

*Slim chance of a tie if both teams foul everyone out

 

[beast of the east]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

Hear, hear! They've had a much better year than I could have ever envisioned but I just don't see why people are so scared of them. We played them close the first time. They got violated by Creighton twice...and we all know how we've done against Creighton.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are as good as any team in the Big East!!!

Because people see the # next to their name and Jay Wright love fest that people have had here since he was Hofstra coach. We match well with them. They have similar players to what we recruit. I think Marquette road game is tougher honestly.

Agree with your esteemed judgment. This is one that is totally winnable, and will finally give us a reasonable path to an at large bid. I'd hate to travel to Marquette with an NCAA bid in the balance. Now is the time to gut out a win - totally doable.

 

[Moose]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

Hear, hear! They've had a much better year than I could have ever envisioned but I just don't see why people are so scared of them. We played them close the first time. They got violated by Creighton twice...and we all know how we've done against Creighton.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are as good as any team in the Big East!!!

Because people see the # next to their name and Jay Wright love fest that people have had here since he was Hofstra coach. We match well with them. They have similar players to what we recruit. I think Marquette road game is tougher honestly.

Agree with your esteemed judgment. This is one that is totally winnable, and will finally give us a reasonable path to an at large bid. I'd hate to travel to Marquette with an NCAA bid in the balance. Now is the time to gut out a win - totally doable.

We smoked Marquette at home. They will want to smack us back. Like how Gtown played out. They are finally playing well similar to our streak. They were picked 1st for a reason pre-season.

 

[JackofVirginia]

We obviously cannot play zone against Nova - Archie, Bell and Hilliard. Sampson will have to be at his best against Pinkston, similar to his performance against McDermott. Pinkston always shows up against us. Their center, Ochechu, (?) is no slouch and can hurt us in low. Hopefully we stay out of foul trouble. Going to miss Obekpa for sure.

 

[JackofVirginia]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

Hear, hear! They've had a much better year than I could have ever envisioned but I just don't see why people are so scared of them. We played them close the first time. They got violated by Creighton twice...and we all know how we've done against Creighton.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are as good as any team in the Big East!!!

Because people see the # next to their name and Jay Wright love fest that people have had here since he was Hofstra coach. We match well with them. They have similar players to what we recruit. I think Marquette road game is tougher honestly.

Agree with your esteemed judgment. This is one that is totally winnable, and will finally give us a reasonable path to an at large bid. I'd hate to travel to Marquette with an NCAA bid in the balance. Now is the time to gut out a win - totally doable.

We smoked Marquette at home. They will want to smack us back. Like how Gtown played out. They are finally playing well similar to our streak. They were picked 1st for a reason pre-season.

I'm not so worried about Marquette because they lack shooters. And Obekpa should be back by then.

 

[Moose]

We obviously cannot play zone against Nova - Archie, Bell and Hilliard. Sampson will have to be at his best against Pinkston, similar to his performance against McDermott. Pinkston always shows up against us. Their center, Ochechu, (?) is no slouch and can hurt us in low. Hopefully we stay out of foul trouble. Going to miss Obekpa for sure.

We will start man but if fouls pile up because of the the crack officiating crews we will have to revert to zone.
Ochefu doesn't scare me. They are a guard oriented team. The shooters you mentioned we have to stop. When we lost by 7 at home to them Bell and Hillard shot 1-9 and 1-10 respectively.

 

[paultzman]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

Hear, hear! They've had a much better year than I could have ever envisioned but I just don't see why people are so scared of them. We played them close the first time. They got violated by Creighton twice...and we all know how we've done against Creighton.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are as good as any team in the Big East!!!

Because people see the # next to their name and Jay Wright love fest that people have had here since he was Hofstra coach. We match well with them. They have similar players to what we recruit. I think Marquette road game is tougher honestly.

Agree with your esteemed judgment. This is one that is totally winnable, and will finally give us a reasonable path to an at large bid. I'd hate to travel to Marquette with an NCAA bid in the balance. Now is the time to gut out a win - totally doable.

We smoked Marquette at home. They will want to smack us back. Like how Gtown played out. They are finally playing well similar to our streak. They were picked 1st for a reason pre-season.

I'm not so worried about Marquette because they lack shooters. And Obekpa should be back by then.

No game a lock and Buzz has team playing better. Though a tough road game, I too expect an edge in guard play. We'll see.

 

[lawmanfan]

I have had the "at Nova" game circled for awhile, because it is the one game left on the schedule that can be a real difference-maker in terms of making the NCAAs (and potentially seeding). I thought we had a good shot to pull the upset on the road, but with Obekpa out it's a lot less possible.

I think we can match up well enough with their guards, but it will be tough for us to handle them in the frontcourt, which is a whole lot bigger and better than Butler. A lot of that has to do with my view of Gift, who I think is just totally overmatched at this level. If he can't compete with Pinkston and Echefu, and Sanchez picks up a bunch of fouls, then I think the two of them will be too much for Jakarr to handle by himself and it could get ugly inside.

OTOH if Gift can contribute something, Sanchez plays hard and smart, and Jakarr keeps stepping up, I think we can still make a game of it, because i think the guard play will be even enough to keep us competitive.

Look for Harrison to try to fill it up this game, and the outcome may hinge on whether he is hitting his shots or just taking a lot of them.

 

[Eddyman11]

Nova looked very vulnerable last night against providence. We can do this.

They looked vulnerable the first time we played them.
We have always matched up well against them.
Not chalking up a W because it will be a fight but its far from the L some people seem to be resigning themselves too.

Hear, hear! They've had a much better year than I could have ever envisioned but I just don't see why people are so scared of them. We played them close the first time. They got violated by Creighton twice...and we all know how we've done against Creighton.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are as good as any team in the Big East!!!

Because people see the # next to their name and Jay Wright love fest that people have had here since he was Hofstra coach. We match well with them. They have similar players to what we recruit. I think Marquette road game is tougher honestly.

Agree with your esteemed judgment. This is one that is totally winnable, and will finally give us a reasonable path to an at large bid. I'd hate to travel to Marquette with an NCAA bid in the balance. Now is the time to gut out a win - totally doable.

We smoked Marquette at home. They will want to smack us back. Like how Gtown played out. They are finally playing well similar to our streak. They were picked 1st for a reason pre-season.

I'm not so worried about Marquette because they lack shooters. And Obekpa should be back by then.

No game a lock and Buzz has team playing better. Though a tough road game, I too expect an edge in guard play. We'll see.

Def can win this one. I hope to see Sanchez play the lower block like GG and Sampson do. He can finish around the rim and face up...Not to mention he is MONEY! from the line ( he just has to get there) Jordan owned Arcidiacono last time around. Will be hoping for the same again.

Marquette is a tough game. Their crowd was raucous for the Xavier game. The Kid from Alaska can get hot quick. they are well coached and deep ( I think they play 9 or 10) and as Moose mentioned earlier, they are out for revenge.

Going to be a spirited contest but I think with CO back we should have the edge

 

[paultzman]

I have had the "at Nova" game circled for awhile, because it is the one game left on the schedule that can be a real difference-maker in terms of making the NCAAs (and potentially seeding). I thought we had a good shot to pull the upset on the road, but with Obekpa out it's a lot less possible.

I think we can match up well enough with their guards, but it will be tough for us to handle them in the frontcourt, which is a whole lot bigger and better than Butler. A lot of that has to do with my view of Gift, who I think is just totally overmatched at this level. If he can't compete with Pinkston and Echefu, and Sanchez picks up a bunch of fouls, then I think the two of them will be too much for Jakarr to handle by himself and it could get ugly inside.

OTOH if Gift can contribute something, Sanchez plays hard and smart, and Jakarr keeps stepping up, I think we can still make a game of it, because i think the guard play will be even enough to keep us competitive.

Look for Harrison to try to fill it up this game, and the outcome may hinge on whether he is hitting his shots or just taking a lot of them.

Spot on analysis.

 

[1and1sju]

We obviously cannot play zone against Nova - Archie, Bell and Hilliard. Sampson will have to be at his best against Pinkston, similar to his performance against McDermott. Pinkston always shows up against us. Their center, Ochechu, (?) is no slouch and can hurt us in low. Hopefully we stay out of foul trouble. Going to miss Obekpa for sure.

We will start man but if fouls pile up because of the the crack officiating crews we will have to revert to zone.
Ochefu doesn't scare me. They are a guard oriented team. The shooters you mentioned we have to stop. When we lost by 7 at home to them Bell and Hillard shot 1-9 and 1-10 respectively.

The potential for foul trouble worries me too. Nova took 40 foul shots in the game at MSG, and at home I could certainly see a repeat of that. That really worries me.
But aside from that, I think our defense will hold their own. I think we can hold their guards in check.
But our offense will have to be getting good shots, and we'll need to rebound well.

3 Keys:
1) Win the free-throw battle
2) Don't settle for long jumpers; penetrate and move the ball around.
3) Rebound

 

[TonyinFairfield]

I have had the "at Nova" game circled for awhile, because it is the one game left on the schedule that can be a real difference-maker in terms of making the NCAAs (and potentially seeding). I thought we had a good shot to pull the upset on the road, but with Obekpa out it's a lot less possible.

I think we can match up well enough with their guards, but it will be tough for us to handle them in the frontcourt, which is a whole lot bigger and better than Butler. A lot of that has to do with my view of Gift, who I think is just totally overmatched at this level. If he can't compete with Pinkston and Echefu, and Sanchez picks up a bunch of fouls, then I think the two of them will be too much for Jakarr to handle by himself and it could get ugly inside.

OTOH if Gift can contribute something, Sanchez plays hard and smart, and Jakarr keeps stepping up, I think we can still make a game of it, because i think the guard play will be even enough to keep us competitive.

Look for Harrison to try to fill it up this game, and the outcome may hinge on whether he is hitting his shots or just taking a lot of them.

Very sensible and realistic post.

 

[paultzman]

We obviously cannot play zone against Nova - Archie, Bell and Hilliard. Sampson will have to be at his best against Pinkston, similar to his performance against McDermott. Pinkston always shows up against us. Their center, Ochechu, (?) is no slouch and can hurt us in low. Hopefully we stay out of foul trouble. Going to miss Obekpa for sure.

We will start man but if fouls pile up because of the the crack officiating crews we will have to revert to zone.
Ochefu doesn't scare me. They are a guard oriented team. The shooters you mentioned we have to stop. When we lost by 7 at home to them Bell and Hillard shot 1-9 and 1-10 respectively.

The potential for foul trouble worries me too. Nova took 40 foul shots in the game at MSG, and at home I could certainly see a repeat of that. That really worries me.
But aside from that, I think our defense will hold their own. I think we can hold their guards in check.
But our offense will have to be getting good shots, and we'll need to rebound well.

3 Keys:
1) Win the free-throw battle
2) Don't settle for long jumpers; penetrate and move the ball around.
3) Rebound

Agree and will add Sheed needs to avoid getting suckered by annoying Arcidiacono to commit early fouls. Nova, as you infer, is masterful at drawing fouls. I do think we can get them to turn the ball over however. We'll see. Keep it close and steal one.

 

[Mean Gene]

Aside from Gift and Sanchez ( who both really need to step it up this game), I think that Jordan and Branch can play a huge roll here. They can do that by taking the ball to the basket, which both them do so well. They can get Villanova's big men into foul trouble that way thus somewhat negating the loss of CO for us. I also think that Jordan and Branch quicker than Arcidiacono and driving to the basket will also force him into some foul trouble. Jordan and Branch are also good on ball defenders and should succeed at taking Villanova out of there offense by pressuring Arcidiacono. I would have them both on the court at the same time. I'm looking for Jordan to take Arcidiacono to the woodshed this game.