Villanova Post Game Thread | Page 9 | The Boneyard

Villanova Post Game Thread

RuffRuff said:
Yeah sorry, they looked amazing. Clicking on all cylinders. Another effortless win. Offense looked like a Ferrari. Let me know if that helps.

Nova a good team, but that was a home game after a number of close wins against bad teams. GTwon beat PC at PC today. NC caliber teams have a close win from time to time, but they don't eek out a series of games against lesser competition.

Nova solid but not a second weekend team.
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Ruff, who cares? Enjoy the journey buddy. NC will take care of itself.
 
Loved seeing Solo Ball be "Player of the Game" today.

Alex coming alive in the last 10 minutes showed why he such a valuable player. He has off nights, but he keeps his head in the game and has the confidence to make plays when he has the opportunity.

Tarris with a quiet double-double was also a highlight (though we could do w/o the TO's), and it's good to see his free throw shooting has been very solid since that 5-13 game.

I was once again very impressed with our defense, giving the opponent few easy shots. Great to see numerous hustle plays, including diving for balls.

Villanova proved to be a formidable opponent, just as I figured. Willard definitely has this team on the right track. Brennan was a considerably bigger problem than I anticipated, and Perkins was particularly troublesome, but overall, the Huskies determination, discipline, and resolve prevailed.

A struggling Providence team (up by 18 at the half today vs. Georgetown before a 2nd half collapse) which gave the Huskies all they could handle a couple of weeks ago will be in town on Tuesday. Hopefully, they win this one convincingly.
 
Again, these UConn teams don't get rattled. We've seen it for years.
 
superjohn said:
It's honestly pretty remarkable we still just have the 1 loss to #1 with two starters out. We've been living on the edge and we've been asleep for large portions of the past 4 games and the offense is a mess...

There's something to be said about finding ways to win when so much is going wrong and this was an extremely important win. Nova is tough and our schedule gets a lot tougher especially with Braylon possibly missing some time. This was a 1 seed win.


We all know Solo's shooting struggles but so many things are out of sorts lately. AK was amazing late in the game but he can't be taking off the first 32 minutes like we're seeing. The bench was so good in our out of conference but they're giving us very little offensively lately, poor Malachi is all out of sorts. Jayden got that huge block and had some other very good defensive possessions but they all have to play better. The offense isn't nearly good enough lately, we're missing layups like crazy and we aren't controlling the glass like we should.

The good, we always play great defense and we find ways to win when it seems like nothing is going right for us. Defense travels and we have that clutch factor, we always think we'll win. Solo hit big shots and he backed it out late in overtime which eventually set up Silas for the driving layup. In the past Solo would've put his head down and gone straight to the rim and it would've gone very badly. That was a smart veteran move by him and the play of the game, IMO.

Nova is very good, Willard is going to have that thing humming soon.
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Would you rather be 7-2 with 7 wins with margins over 15 points and 2 losses that are absolute head scratchers or be 9-0 and a lot of wins by 6-7 points? I’d rather be 9-0. It would be nice to put up 117 points on Providence this week…
 
uconn_jack said:
I don't think he's lazy, but he is inconsistent with his energy. I also don't think he's as great as we want or think him to be. He's very good, don't get me wrong, but he really struggles when he's doubled, mainly because he rarely kick it back out and try to force something through the double team.
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Ah he's great.
 
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Iluvsuebird said:
I have a feeling that this post will not be well received. But I owe it to all to be honest and true to how I am feeling. I no longer feel that this team is NCAA title worthy. We are certainly stout defensively, and our offensive sets safeguards us when we go cold, like today when we could not make bunnies from 3 feet. And I am aware that we are not always going to be hot from 3. But no team can win a title missing these many FTs per game. And after 3 months, this is who we are folks. Sucks because we are so solid elsewhere. If I am going to catch s—- for that take, I ask simply this: Name the team that went on to become champs in April that was a poor free throw shooting team. Answer that and I will retract my take.
The rebounds is another thing altogether. I alluded to this after the Georgetown game. Rebounding is about effort. About consistency. And seeing guards out-hustle our guards for lose balls just pisses me off badly. And this is a pattern now; this is not the first game this happens.
And better news, we have a Solo sighting. Without him we lose by 20. Great game by him.
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These kind of posts, while totally realistic, are not allowed around here! I hear what you're saying, but not there yet. There is no doubt the product we are seeing now is not inspiring, at all. What I'm watching against some of the title contenders doesn't feel like it could win 6. Tarris is a talented, yet sluggish 5. I don't know what it is about him - I think we all expect more than he can deliver based on his physical skills. He's good, but he's not that much of a difference maker. There is no way we should be this poor a rebounding team with him in the middle. I'm actually somewhat surprised we've drifted off using Eric. AK is what he is. Solo is what he is. I've felt throughout this process, seeing Silas and Braylon pop in a more integrated offense is what would flash our ceiling, that's been in drips and inconsistent. I still feel like there is another gear in there that we haven't seen, but now with Braylon potentially missing time, less confident. Most of what I've see out there has put us in a "Tier 2" contender bucket.
brihman said:
, which I'm starting to get onboard with but not there yet. Holding out for that 5th gear.Would you rather be 7-2 with 7 wins with margins over 15 points and 2 losses that are absolute head scratchers or be 9-0 and a lot of wins by 6-7 points? I’d rather be 9-0. It would be nice to put up 117 points on Providence this week…
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Not the point - winning is nice, but seeing a product that you can see advancing deep is what we're looking for.
Marat said:
And in '23 we would have lost this game during the January slump.
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That BE was so much better than this one. We played really good teams in that slump, between Xavier (2X), Creighton and Marquette. Xavier was a S16 team, Creighton Elite 8 and Marquette was a 2 seed. We lost our WTF game to SHU and StJ.
 
boog204 said:
These gutty wins are very important in the long run. Would also like to see us play offense that’s not offensive. And if the bench could give us some production that would nice as well. Miss the days of having a guy come off the bench and give you some instant offense.
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For all the talk about how deep our bench is supposed to be, it hasn't materialized consistently. JR and JS should be scoring more and it's time to sit Malachi. If he just wants to dribble around the perimeter, miss layups and not stop anyone on defense and we need someone to spell Demary, maybe we should try Millender for a few minutes one game and see if he's a gamer if he's not winning time in practice............Joe Theisman sucked in practice!
Class of 09 said:
We need Malachi to play like he did in the non con slate
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TUCBTUD said:
Alex Karaban, Silas Demary Jr., Solo Ball:

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Iluvsuebird said:
I have a feeling that this post will not be well received. But I owe it to all to be honest and true to how I am feeling. I no longer feel that this team is NCAA title worthy. We are certainly stout defensively, and our offensive sets safeguards us when we go cold, like today when we could not make bunnies from 3 feet. And I am aware that we are not always going to be hot from 3. But no team can win a title missing these many FTs per game. And after 3 months, this is who we are folks. Sucks because we are so solid elsewhere. If I am going to catch s—- for that take, I ask simply this: Name the team that went on to become champs in April that was a poor free throw shooting team. Answer that and I will retract my take.
The rebounds is another thing altogether. I alluded to this after the Georgetown game. Rebounding is about effort. About consistency. And seeing guards out-hustle our guards for lose balls just pisses me off badly. And this is a pattern now; this is not the first game this happens.
And better news, we have a Solo sighting. Without him we lose by 20. Great game by him.
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Did you think the teams in 2011 and 2014 title worthy? All of you who somehow think you know how this turns out based on your learned evaluations should be locked in a room together to watch games with no access to the Chat or the Yard. Watch the games and cheer. Pray we don’t lose so often.
 
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I am in no way comparing this team to the 2024 National Championship group, but go take a look at their schedule that year and see how many tight games they played in January into early February. I was surprised, as we recall the blowouts of Marquette, Seton Hall (don't forget the blowout loss to them or Creighton), etc. on their way to the Big East title and National Championship, but they played a ton of close game then turned it on as it got into later February. Yes, this team is struggling offensively, and certainly the Mullins injury did not help them (I think with a healthy Mullins they would have won this game by 8-10), but they are playing great defense, hustling, and playing tenaciously in a close game. Certainly, I would like to see better play out of them, and Villanova is a NCAA tournament team and has ability (plus you have a 55% free throw shooter make 7-8 today among other things that didn't make the game easy at all), but last I checked winning games is what counts. I mean Florida looked like they were turning a corner and gets beat handily at home by an average Auburn team. St. John's goes on the road and falls down double digits to Xavier and is life and death to win. Georgia gets blown out at home, and Purdue shows you time and time again they struggle defending quality teams. Let's not lose sight of the prize, which is winning, and let this team continue to develop. I still remain very bullish on this group!
 
Inyatkin said:
Do you exhaust yourself? You exhaust everyone else
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Put me on ignore - I won’t be offended. I don’t choose to engage with you. You are a series of one line call outs. I enjoy interesting convo, not you. Talking real and constructively about the team. Not chasing people around telling them they are exhausting. Talk about waste of time. Ignore it.

Separately

 
KingAG said:
We’re on track to go undefeated in conference. We are 19-1. The defense is absolutely elite.

Yes the offense is hit or miss and way too streaky/inconsistent.

With that said we are an extremely fortunate fan base to have this team to root for this year. We are chasing 3 in 4. Try your hardest to enjoy it. Don’t get lost in the minor details.

We are great. Our coach is great. The players are great. The vibe in this fanbase is way too on edge and nervous right now. I don’t want to classify it as negative. Because thats not fair. But I think the team plays with the same energy that the fan base has right now. If we all, staff, players, fanbase can just get back to having fun, I think that’ll unlock a lot. Remind yourself of the ashes we rose from. We were never supposed to be here. Yet here we are.

Please enjoy it.
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AllHusky said:
Did you think the teams in 2011 and 2014 title worthy? All of you who somehow think you know how this turns out based on your learned evaluations should be locked in a room together to watch games with no access to the Chat or the Yard. Watch the games and cheer. Pray we don’t lose so often.
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Now, that is a counter point I must concede! Great point. I did not think those teams were ‘chip worthy. Great point sir
 
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Smp7598 said:
In all fairness the games all have been close in the second half,so he has been playing his starters more minutes.Ross has no business playing in crunch time. He is a very poor mans Andre Jackson.
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I thought Ross played some good defense down the stretch, including that block in the final minute of regulation. He has been playing defense without fouling which is improvement over last year. The wing three he took looked good.
 
Chin Diesel said:
1. It's a win
2. Solo. Welcome back.
3. Karaban. Great second half and OT
4. Demary drives the bus for the team
5. Ross may start eating Malachi's minutes. Great D today.
6. How is it Brennan doesn't play for dook? He absolutely plays like a dookey big.
7. Damnit on Mullins. Sit him against PC. Hopefully he is good to go for Creighton.
8. Next
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Re: #6: and his first name is Duke!
 
Donyell 360 said:
Personally I feel it is a bad look complaining about the refs. Even when the calls don't go your way, better to put your head down and keep working. But to each his own.
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Complaining about the refs really doesn't add much - I'm sure Nova fans are complaining about them too. Refs are human, it all evens out in the end and you should play good enough where they don't matter. Sometimes there is an awful call as critical times worth talking about, but standard chatter about them sucking is a waste of time.
 
RuffRuff said:
Put me on ignore - I won’t be offended. I don’t choose to engage with you. You are a series of one line call outs. I enjoy interesting convo, not you. Talking real and constructively about the team. Not chasing people around telling them they are exhausting. Talk about waste of time. Ignore it.

Separately

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There’s plenty of that discussion on here. Literally all anyone objects to is the overdramatic jumping to conclusions. But that’s your thing
 
Iluvsuebird said:
I have a feeling that this post will not be well received. But I owe it to all to be honest and true to how I am feeling. I no longer feel that this team is NCAA title worthy. We are certainly stout defensively, and our offensive sets safeguards us when we go cold, like today when we could not make bunnies from 3 feet. And I am aware that we are not always going to be hot from 3. But no team can win a title missing these many FTs per game. And after 3 months, this is who we are folks. Sucks because we are so solid elsewhere. If I am going to catch s—- for that take, I ask simply this: Name the team that went on to become champs in April that was a poor free throw shooting team. Answer that and I will retract my take.
The rebounds is another thing altogether. I alluded to this after the Georgetown game. Rebounding is about effort. About consistency. And seeing guards out-hustle our guards for lose balls just pisses me off badly. And this is a pattern now; this is not the first game this happens.
And better news, we have a Solo sighting. Without him we lose by 20. Great game by him.
Expand ...
The 1996 and 2006 teams looked “title worthy” the whole year and didn’t make the final 4. January is not when you want to be playing your best ball of the season.

There is no doubt they need to to improve but they are finding ways to win close games, and always play with composure
 
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RuffRuff said:
Stocking the shelves with ugly wins. It seems to be this teams identity. Will it translate to March?

Solo looks himself after Braylon goes out - made some huge buckets.

Credit it Nova for a tough showing. Willard can coach.
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He seemed to take shots without hesitations. He needs to keep that mindset. Just shoot bro! Dont worry about missing the shot. Shooters shoot.
 
Scottobot said:
I thought Ross played some good defense down the stretch, including that block in the final minute of regulation. He has been playing defense without fouling which is improvement over last year. The wing three he took looked good.
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Except that it missed. And he got faked completely out of his jock and gave up an important blow by. And bricked two critical free throws.

He simply should NEVER be on the floor in critical moments. Give him some first half minutes and low leverage 2nd half minutes. Nothing more.

Cannot trust him whatsoever
 
Scottobot said:
Missed wide open layup by Smith was egregious
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What in the world is going on with Malachi? Hes been terrible lately. Far too good a player to be playing so poorly. He needs to stop looking for his shot and just run the offense. The shots will come and he will hit them. Not sure why but he always seems like hes in a hurry. He needs to slow down.
 
Donyell 360 said:
Personally I feel it is a bad look complaining about the refs. Even when the calls don't go your way, better to put your head down and keep working. But to each his own.
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The big east refs are pretty bad. There is much less complaining when a non big east crew refs a non conference game. The officiating in the ncaa tournament is always way better than big east.

They are incredibly inconsistent. They allow crazy contact all game and then they call ticky tack fouls at critical moments. They frequently have two different sets of allowed physicality for each team. They are unprofessional and hyper sensitive to criticism, and Hurley can’t resist calling out their mistakes.

Many times each game something obvious right in front of an official isn’t called the referee on the other side of the court calls it. It seems like they are motivated to keep games close, and allow big underdogs to try to win by fouling all the time.
 
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