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A week or so back, I was a guest of a friend to the Temple v Villanova game in the Liacouras Center on Broad Street in Philadelphia.
This is one fine On-campus facility. Even with a down Temple year (cannot even fathom how their roster has gotten so depleted of talent ... and had to laugh at Pitino's effusive praise of their Four 14 pt offensive players (then he thumped them)), this is ONE fine CBB venue. Energetic Crowd, and it was sold out for Nova, was loud and just what you want; the venue has great seating and even in the far reaches, you feel like you are right close. Everything about the venue says a good environment (and relatively free parking ... if you are willing to stay within a block of Broad Street, you won't be vandalized (lower percentage)). Temple, sadly, should be in this top 5 discussion most years; Fran Dunphy, I believe, is a fabulous coach; and you can count on them coming up to compete next year. As I have been to PC, BC, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Georgetown and Alumni Hall/MSG, Temple has one of the better Programs of that bunch. We should be glad they are in this. Beer is sold. Students are close. Center City and great restaurants are just 10 minutes away!
Villanova? They have some very good pieces. My eye, though, says that Cincinnati is a far tougher out in March. I love JayVaughn Pinkston as a PF in College (he lacks the size/athleticism for the next level). And, Villanova has an abundance of annonymous new guys (FR) that can really score and shoot the 3. James Bell is a classic BE power kid; able to shoot from distance and finish at the rim after beating his guy. Their Defense is good; not fearsome. I am not a Arcidiacono fan; though, he did hit two long 3's at the end of the 1st that started the separation. I just don't see his great value when you look at the Napiers, the Smiths, the Ennis, the Jackson and others. Doesn't break you down to make plays for himself or others; doesn't make a presence on Defense. I do not see them as a top 5 club; this year ... or most others. There is no rising glowing young star on Nova. Count on Wright to keep them good; but, not the Lead Dog in the new BE.
This is one fine On-campus facility. Even with a down Temple year (cannot even fathom how their roster has gotten so depleted of talent ... and had to laugh at Pitino's effusive praise of their Four 14 pt offensive players (then he thumped them)), this is ONE fine CBB venue. Energetic Crowd, and it was sold out for Nova, was loud and just what you want; the venue has great seating and even in the far reaches, you feel like you are right close. Everything about the venue says a good environment (and relatively free parking ... if you are willing to stay within a block of Broad Street, you won't be vandalized (lower percentage)). Temple, sadly, should be in this top 5 discussion most years; Fran Dunphy, I believe, is a fabulous coach; and you can count on them coming up to compete next year. As I have been to PC, BC, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Georgetown and Alumni Hall/MSG, Temple has one of the better Programs of that bunch. We should be glad they are in this. Beer is sold. Students are close. Center City and great restaurants are just 10 minutes away!
Villanova? They have some very good pieces. My eye, though, says that Cincinnati is a far tougher out in March. I love JayVaughn Pinkston as a PF in College (he lacks the size/athleticism for the next level). And, Villanova has an abundance of annonymous new guys (FR) that can really score and shoot the 3. James Bell is a classic BE power kid; able to shoot from distance and finish at the rim after beating his guy. Their Defense is good; not fearsome. I am not a Arcidiacono fan; though, he did hit two long 3's at the end of the 1st that started the separation. I just don't see his great value when you look at the Napiers, the Smiths, the Ennis, the Jackson and others. Doesn't break you down to make plays for himself or others; doesn't make a presence on Defense. I do not see them as a top 5 club; this year ... or most others. There is no rising glowing young star on Nova. Count on Wright to keep them good; but, not the Lead Dog in the new BE.
