Viillanova growing in strength
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Viillanova growing in strength
I received an interesting e-mail from a UConn fan the other day, after I wrote how Villanova was one of only two teams, with North Carolina and Memphis being the others, that had now made it to the Sweet 16 in four of the last five years.
I also duly noted that UNC and Memphis had made it to Final Fours in that time, and either won or nearly won the whole thing. But the UConn e-mailer basically told me that 'Nova was a fraud program, because UConn had won two titles and sent numerous guys to the pros, etc. I don’t think he gets it. In fact, I know he doesn’t.
I wasn’t suggesting that Nova is one of the greatest programs in America. I was just pointing out the facts. Jay Wright has done a great job of putting the Wildcats back where they belong. Are they as good as UConn, Pitt or Louisville? Maybe not. I know they almost won at UConn, did beat Pitt and nearly beat Louisville in the first meeting before losing the second after being tied at 50 with 8 minutes to go.
I don’t know if Wright is ever going to make a Final Four. Or win it all. Maybe he’ll do one or even both this year. Maybe he won’t keep going to Sweet 16 after Sweet 16, either. The point is, 'Nova is once again a really good program. A relevant program. Probably not quite as elite as Nova Nation would like to believe. But an accomplishment is an accomplishment. Any time you can say you did something that only UNC and Memphis did is pretty noteworthy in my book.
Maybe UConn will cut the nets for the third time in a decade, and I’ll get more e-mails from up there. They should be proud of their program, too. That doesn’t mean that 'Nova somehow doesn’t measure up, because it hasn’t won any rings since 1985. I’m not a 'Nova basher or a 'Nova lover. I’m just a guy covering a team. A very good team. A team that’s fun to watch. With a bunch of players and a coach who are a pleasure to be around. If that’s not something to be proud of, too, then I’m in the wrong line of work. Sorry.
Villanova may never be at quite the same level as the UNCs and Dukes of the food chain. So what? Wright has one of the best recruiting classes coming in next season. Doesn’t mean he’s going to get a constant stream of McDonald’s All-Americans. Whatever the outcome of Thursday’s game, Duke is going to get most of the players Duke wants. Just because. Which kind of makes 'Nova’s accomplishments all the more noteworthy.
I kind of understand where the UConn e-mailer was coming from. Doesn’t make it right.
It’s the company you keep. Right now, 'Nova’s keeping some pretty solid company. Don’t assume for one moment that it doesn’t belong, regardless of how far it goes in this tournament. Or how far anyone else goes.
Mike-good article. i don't get caught up in the parochial philly turf war. i like wright and his kids and the way they play. although there was some whining from dick enberg on sat about their physical play, i thought it proved jay wright gets it. too often in the past a "prettier" vu team would get out-muscled in the tourney usually by an sec team. villanova sent a message that will be apparent in durham this week that this team will has skill and although undersized, will bang with you for all 40 minutes. i know uconn has had success which should be appreciated but look at the comparitive size of the schools and the financial resources available. i think wright has done a great job maintaining a balance and keeping a difficult alumni base satisfied. i did wonder during the american game what would be the cries from biff and muffy in berwyn if they had lost. would they be calling for the return of danny de vito from central florida barber college?— natedog- Interesting that the criticism from a UConn fan comes on the day that a report is run about recruiting violations at the school...who has a reputable program now? Go Cats.— twjeagles
- As a Villanova alum, I'm very proud of this team and the job Jay has done. He has brought the program back to national prominence. And he's starting to land big-time recruits with regularity. A Final Four would be great, but I'm already thrilled with the direction of the program. Now let's go beat Duke!! GLJ '96— Gary_Philly
- Very nice summary article of the state of Villaova's men's basketball at present. I am very excited not only about the game with Duke tomorrow, in which I believe "Nova can not only "hang" but win, but also with Coach Jay Wright's incoming Frosh recruited class with 4 of the top 35 HS recruits in the nation going to matriculate at Villanova beginning next Fall. Let's go 'Nova!— flyer-joe
- I would not be happy if Nova had "two titles and sent numerous guys to the pros, etc." if they were represented by a coach like Jim Calhoun. Say what you will about Nova and Jay Wright, but they graduate players and do things the right way (and I admit that was not always the case, I saw some things when I was in school late Mass/early Lappas). A great program should not be measured by how may titles they win, but by how they conduct themselves AND achieve success. Go Nova!— RichNC
- Mike, that was a very fair assessment of the 'Nova program. It may not be realistic to be at the same level of UNC or Duke or even Memphis. But you have to love where this program is at right now if you are a 'Nova fan.— There He Is
