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!
