Villanova Game

[beast of the east]

I know it's wishful thinking, but even with recent Nova alums in tow (who will be rooting for St. John's), my entire family will be hoping that we blow Nova's doors off and exorcise the past week. Just 24 hours ago, that looked like somewhere between highly improbably to impossible. Now, nothing would surprise me.

Me too, Beast. However, NOVA'S big men are going to kill us inside..They are a better team than we are and, short of HARRISON SCORING 40 and Jordan 20, and divine intervention, we won't likely make it. Odds of NOVA losing 2 in a row are, less predictable than us losing 3 in a row.

Harsh, but not unrealistic.

Hey, we started 0-5 in BE last season ans still almost made the NCAA .. ALMOST.

I agree Joe. It's hard to see Villanova losing two in row, they're going to be really dialed in after their first loss. That Butler game was killer.

I also agree, Ochefu and Pinkston create matchup nightmares for us. Outside of Harrison, hard to see where we have an advantage; I will be there rooting hard but realistically I just don't see us being competitive. We will not be able to scramble the game against Nova and that is our strength.Really hope I am wrong.

If we are going to allow just one team to sweep us, in a best case scenario, it would be Nova. Now of course, just getting back to even vs. SH or Butler won't be easy either.

 

[otis]

StJohn’s matches well against Villanova. IMO the key will be Chris Obekpa staying out of foul trouble. If Harrison scores as he can and Obekpa controls the middle against Ochefu and Pinkston then StJohns can beat Villanova.

 

[paultzman]

I know it's wishful thinking, but even with recent Nova alums in tow (who will be rooting for St. John's), my entire family will be hoping that we blow Nova's doors off and exorcise the past week. Just 24 hours ago, that looked like somewhere between highly improbably to impossible. Now, nothing would surprise me.

Me too, Beast. However, NOVA'S big men are going to kill us inside..They are a better team than we are and, short of HARRISON SCORING 40 and Jordan 20, and divine intervention, we won't likely make it. Odds of NOVA losing 2 in a row are, less predictable than us losing 3 in a row.

Harsh, but not unrealistic.

Hey, we started 0-5 in BE last season ans still almost made the NCAA .. ALMOST.

I agree Joe. It's hard to see Villanova losing two in row, they're going to be really dialed in after their first loss. That Butler game was killer.

I also agree, Ochefu and Pinkston create matchup nightmares for us. Outside of Harrison, hard to see where we have an advantage; I will be there rooting hard but realistically I just don't see us being competitive. We will not be able to scramble the game against Nova and that is our strength.Really hope I am wrong.

I agree. Those interior mstchups are difficult. Additionally, Nova is so adept at drawing fouls, a tough situation for a team with a short & unproductive bench. Hope I'm wrong as well.

 

[room112]

Something I've found interesting about this Villanova team is they don't seem to have much if any NBA talent (someone can correct me if I'm wrong) like in years past, but just solid 4 year college types. Wonder what that is a result of.

 

[danfog]

Reading this I think we should not show up and schedule Fordham again.

 

[mattc]

Pinkston and the Nova depth scares me. Hoping the team rallies tomorrow night.

 

[ManhattAn1]

Are your tickets still available?

I have 3 tickets for tomorrow night's game at The Garden.

M.P.F. need not apply !! LOL !!!

First to PM me, can have them. Will leave them at MSG Will Call Window for you.

NEED TO TAKE ALL 3 tickets.

GREAT seats.

 

[JackofVirginia]

I know it's wishful thinking, but even with recent Nova alums in tow (who will be rooting for St. John's), my entire family will be hoping that we blow Nova's doors off and exorcise the past week. Just 24 hours ago, that looked like somewhere between highly improbably to impossible. Now, nothing would surprise me.

Me too, Beast. However, NOVA'S big men are going to kill us inside..They are a better team than we are and, short of HARRISON SCORING 40 and Jordan 20, and divine intervention, we won't likely make it. Odds of NOVA losing 2 in a row are, less predictable than us losing 3 in a row.

Harsh, but not unrealistic.

Hey, we started 0-5 in BE last season ans still almost made the NCAA .. ALMOST.

I agree Joe. It's hard to see Villanova losing two in row, they're going to be really dialed in after their first loss. That Butler game was killer.

I also agree, Ochefu and Pinkston create matchup nightmares for us. Outside of Harrison, hard to see where we have an advantage; I will be there rooting hard but realistically I just don't see us being competitive. We will not be able to scramble the game against Nova and that is our strength.Really hope I am wrong.

Ochefu could put Obekpa on the bench, has been a beast for Nova. How about his 24 rebounds against the Hall. Unlike our offense Nova works the ball inside. Dom has to box out Pinkston. Nova was horrendous from the foul line. Don't fall asleep on Hilliard, will burn us with threes. And once again, Mr. Lavin do not play zone against them. Even though Arci...and company didn't have a good day shooting from outside, it could easily change tomorrow night. Ennis has been terrible in the three games I witnessed on tv and he still starts. Hint: Lavin - Jordan.

 

[Moose]

Would rather face Nova off a win than a loss, but nothing we can do there.

Big key in my view is not panicking in the first 30 minutes rotation-wise. Understand the huge significance of tomorrow's game, but best way to a W not necessarily asking 195+ from our first 6. These kids are clearly in incredible condition, but the tank is going to be closer to empty on the legs than it has been at any point to date this season. Imperative that we be fresh in the last 5 minutes of this one.

Christian Jones and ADR should be able to give us some comfortable minutes up front. With Jordan back, rotating the guards becomes more manageable. Certainly these guys, particularly Dee and Dom, never need to be told to "dig deep", and have shown few if any signs of wearing to date, but there is a limit on how many times you can ask them to go to the well for 40 minutes or close to it, and I worry about it particularly against a better and deeper team like Nova.

A million ways to slice it, but even in a diminished Big East, this schedule is no picnic. Should be a good crowd though

Someone mentioned they have only been selling seats in the bottom level.

 

[paultzman]

Felix is a game time decision re his ankle.

 

[Mean Gene]

Stewart, JDR, Jones, Albigovic and Balamou(if he plays), we are going to have to get some sort of contribution from 2 of these 5 if we are going to beat Nova. As someone else said, Nova is great at drawing fouls, we are going to have to get something from our bench. I'm not talking about coming in an playing way over their heads, just giving some type of positive contribution and holding their own. Maybe Stewart hits a couple a threes, JDL grabs 3 or 4 rebs, gets a put back and a block. Jones grabs a few rebounds and shows a couple of the offensive moves we saw as a freshman and scores 5pts, Albigovic plays some post D, grabs a couple rebounds and hits a three, Balamou get s a steal and lay up in the press, grabs a few boards , gets fouled taking it to hole and hits a couple FT's. Can two or three of these five things happen?? I don't know, but I think we need it to in order to win.

 

[austour]

I know it's wishful thinking, but even with recent Nova alums in tow (who will be rooting for St. John's), my entire family will be hoping that we blow Nova's doors off and exorcise the past week. Just 24 hours ago, that looked like somewhere between highly improbably to impossible. Now, nothing would surprise me.

Me too, Beast. However, NOVA'S big men are going to kill us inside..They are a better team than we are and, short of HARRISON SCORING 40 and Jordan 20, and divine intervention, we won't likely make it. Odds of NOVA losing 2 in a row are, less predictable than us losing 3 in a row.

Harsh, but not unrealistic.

Hey, we started 0-5 in BE last season ans still almost made the NCAA .. ALMOST.

I agree Joe. It's hard to see Villanova losing two in row, they're going to be really dialed in after their first loss. That Butler game was killer.

I also agree, Ochefu and Pinkston create matchup nightmares for us. Outside of Harrison, hard to see where we have an advantage; I will be there rooting hard but realistically I just don't see us being competitive. We will not be able to scramble the game against Nova and that is our strength.Really hope I am wrong.

Ochefu could put Obekpa on the bench, has been a beast for Nova. How about his 24 rebounds against the Hall. Unlike our offense Nova works the ball inside. Dom has to box out Pinkston. Nova was horrendous from the foul line. Don't fall asleep on Hilliard, will burn us with threes. And once again, Mr. Lavin do not play zone against them. Even though Arci...and company didn't have a good day shooting from outside, it could easily change tomorrow night. Ennis has been terrible in the three games I witnessed on tv and he still starts. Hint: Lavin - Jordan.

Rebounding will definitely be the issue, 3 pt shooting not so much. Seton Hall game was the rule, rather than the exception. They may not be as bad as STJ but I say let them shoot, they're below average from 3pfg. And leave Ryan wide open. Arcidiacano, who has been an atrocious, if occasionally clutch, 3 pt chucker for his entire Nova career has sunk to new lows this year hitting just 20%. Not sure it's possible but STJ needs to penetrate and force the issue, hopefully drawing some fouls on Ochefu and Pinkston, though neither of them have had more than 3 fouls in a game so far this year. They have less depth than STJ up front.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I know it's wishful thinking, but even with recent Nova alums in tow (who will be rooting for St. John's), my entire family will be hoping that we blow Nova's doors off and exorcise the past week. Just 24 hours ago, that looked like somewhere between highly improbably to impossible. Now, nothing would surprise me.

Me too, Beast. However, NOVA'S big men are going to kill us inside..They are a better team than we are and, short of HARRISON SCORING 40 and Jordan 20, and divine intervention, we won't likely make it. Odds of NOVA losing 2 in a row are, less predictable than us losing 3 in a row.

Harsh, but not unrealistic.

Hey, we started 0-5 in BE last season ans still almost made the NCAA .. ALMOST.

I agree Joe. It's hard to see Villanova losing two in row, they're going to be really dialed in after their first loss. That Butler game was killer.

I also agree, Ochefu and Pinkston create matchup nightmares for us. Outside of Harrison, hard to see where we have an advantage; I will be there rooting hard but realistically I just don't see us being competitive. We will not be able to scramble the game against Nova and that is our strength.Really hope I am wrong.

Ochefu could put Obekpa on the bench, has been a beast for Nova. How about his 24 rebounds against the Hall. Unlike our offense Nova works the ball inside. Dom has to box out Pinkston. Nova was horrendous from the foul line. Don't fall asleep on Hilliard, will burn us with threes. And once again, Mr. Lavin do not play zone against them. Even though Arci...and company didn't have a good day shooting from outside, it could easily change tomorrow night. Ennis has been terrible in the three games I witnessed on tv and he still starts. Hint: Lavin - Jordan.

Rebounding will definitely be the issue, 3 pt shooting not so much. Seton Hall game was the rule, rather than the exception. They may not be as bad as STJ but I say let them shoot, they're below average from 3pfg. And leave Ryan wide open. Arcidiacano, who has been an atrocious, if occasionally clutch, 3 pt chucker for his entire Nova career has sunk to new lows this year hitting just 20%. Not sure it's possible but STJ needs to penetrate and force the issue, hopefully drawing some fouls on Ochefu and Pinkston, though neither of them have had more than 3 fouls in a game so far this year. They have less depth than STJ up front.

You do realize now Archipelago is going to hit 75% on 3's tomorrow now that you said this

 

[beast of the east]

I know it's wishful thinking, but even with recent Nova alums in tow (who will be rooting for St. John's), my entire family will be hoping that we blow Nova's doors off and exorcise the past week. Just 24 hours ago, that looked like somewhere between highly improbably to impossible. Now, nothing would surprise me.

Me too, Beast. However, NOVA'S big men are going to kill us inside..They are a better team than we are and, short of HARRISON SCORING 40 and Jordan 20, and divine intervention, we won't likely make it. Odds of NOVA losing 2 in a row are, less predictable than us losing 3 in a row.

Harsh, but not unrealistic.

Hey, we started 0-5 in BE last season ans still almost made the NCAA .. ALMOST.

I agree Joe. It's hard to see Villanova losing two in row, they're going to be really dialed in after their first loss. That Butler game was killer.

I also agree, Ochefu and Pinkston create matchup nightmares for us. Outside of Harrison, hard to see where we have an advantage; I will be there rooting hard but realistically I just don't see us being competitive. We will not be able to scramble the game against Nova and that is our strength.Really hope I am wrong.

Ochefu could put Obekpa on the bench, has been a beast for Nova. How about his 24 rebounds against the Hall. Unlike our offense Nova works the ball inside. Dom has to box out Pinkston. Nova was horrendous from the foul line. Don't fall asleep on Hilliard, will burn us with threes. And once again, Mr. Lavin do not play zone against them. Even though Arci...and company didn't have a good day shooting from outside, it could easily change tomorrow night. Ennis has been terrible in the three games I witnessed on tv and he still starts. Hint: Lavin - Jordan.

Rebounding will definitely be the issue, 3 pt shooting not so much. Seton Hall game was the rule, rather than the exception. They may not be as bad as STJ but I say let them shoot, they're below average from 3pfg. And leave Ryan wide open. Arcidiacano, who has been an atrocious, if occasionally clutch, 3 pt chucker for his entire Nova career has sunk to new lows this year hitting just 20%. Not sure it's possible but STJ needs to penetrate and force the issue, hopefully drawing some fouls on Ochefu and Pinkston, though neither of them have had more than 3 fouls in a game so far this year. They have less depth than STJ up front.

You do realize now Archipelago is going to hit 75% on 3's tomorrow now that you said this

The mere fact that tomorrow is a meaningful game instead of the continued burning of Rome, has me too happy to consider anything else.

 

[austour]

I know it's wishful thinking, but even with recent Nova alums in tow (who will be rooting for St. John's), my entire family will be hoping that we blow Nova's doors off and exorcise the past week. Just 24 hours ago, that looked like somewhere between highly improbably to impossible. Now, nothing would surprise me.

Me too, Beast. However, NOVA'S big men are going to kill us inside..They are a better team than we are and, short of HARRISON SCORING 40 and Jordan 20, and divine intervention, we won't likely make it. Odds of NOVA losing 2 in a row are, less predictable than us losing 3 in a row.

Harsh, but not unrealistic.

Hey, we started 0-5 in BE last season ans still almost made the NCAA .. ALMOST.

I agree Joe. It's hard to see Villanova losing two in row, they're going to be really dialed in after their first loss. That Butler game was killer.

I also agree, Ochefu and Pinkston create matchup nightmares for us. Outside of Harrison, hard to see where we have an advantage; I will be there rooting hard but realistically I just don't see us being competitive. We will not be able to scramble the game against Nova and that is our strength.Really hope I am wrong.

Ochefu could put Obekpa on the bench, has been a beast for Nova. How about his 24 rebounds against the Hall. Unlike our offense Nova works the ball inside. Dom has to box out Pinkston. Nova was horrendous from the foul line. Don't fall asleep on Hilliard, will burn us with threes. And once again, Mr. Lavin do not play zone against them. Even though Arci...and company didn't have a good day shooting from outside, it could easily change tomorrow night. Ennis has been terrible in the three games I witnessed on tv and he still starts. Hint: Lavin - Jordan.

Rebounding will definitely be the issue, 3 pt shooting not so much. Seton Hall game was the rule, rather than the exception. They may not be as bad as STJ but I say let them shoot, they're below average from 3pfg. And leave Ryan wide open. Arcidiacano, who has been an atrocious, if occasionally clutch, 3 pt chucker for his entire Nova career has sunk to new lows this year hitting just 20%. Not sure it's possible but STJ needs to penetrate and force the issue, hopefully drawing some fouls on Ochefu and Pinkston, though neither of them have had more than 3 fouls in a game so far this year. They have less depth than STJ up front.

You do realize now Archipelago is going to hit 75% on 3's tomorrow now that you said this

Maybe, I said it last year and he made that lucky heave late in the game to save Nova. But Doh's still not coaching so I'm still batting .500 on my ultra hot button issues and that's not a bad percentage.

 

[mjmaherjr]

The biggest question I have tomorrow now that the " will Jordan play " question is answered is will the bronx pale ale stand be open and how long will the line be because I have a bunch of Nova friends going to the game and those Nova guys like to drink and they are starting at 5pm

Maybe they will all be too sloshed so I can walk right in and pick up my beer in time for my opening tipoff slightly late as usual MSG entrance

 

[redmen2014champs]

Honestly, with Jordan back the line on this game will be close. Probably only a couple points underdogs. We still have a good chance to win and all of a sudden everything is great again.

Nova will be about a 4 point favorite, hopefully we can pull out a win here so we don't get into too deep of a hole. I wish Lavin would trust his bigs off the bench a little more and give them a few minutes to play their roles and give a break to the main 6. I personally like him overall but he made a mistake talking about how he was stuck with a five man rotation with Jordan out. It gives no respect to the backups and if they really can't handle themselves in Big East play (I believe some of them can if given the chance) then it makes himself look bad recruiting wise. I assume he said it as a built in excuse if they lose but bad move by a PR genius in my opinion.

 

[OLV72]

The biggest question I have tomorrow now that the " will Jordan play " question is answered is will the bronx pale ale stand be open and how long will the line be because I have a bunch of Nova friends going to the game and those Nova guys like to drink and they are starting at 5pm

Maybe they will all be too sloshed so I can walk right in and pick up my beer in time for my opening tipoff slightly late as usual MSG entrance

Don't forget the good luck SJU wardrobe.

 

[redfan259999888]

lines opened with nova fav 2 1/2 up to 4pnts

 

[gregbodkin]

lines opened with nova fav 2 1/2 up to 4pnts

Wow! Maybe we really do have a chance!