We Beat Temple.. Yay

Since I was drunk at a party and barely paid attention to the game i can only offer some cursory observations.

• It's good that we beat that Temple team.. it was a nice tuneup for the Big East.
• If I ever see Maurice Sutton on the floor at the same time as Antonio Pena again, I'll scream.  Sutton provides nothing on offense and Pena is a ruhtard.  
• Four Guards > Three Bigs
• Corey Stokes- All-American.
• Juan Fernandez looks like he has german blood.
• I don't care about the Big 5

Enjoy Getting Punched in The Dick

i'm feeling like a masochist today.. fucking amateurs

Just Beat Temple

Please..

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to my (few and far between) readers.  for some christmas reading, i'll give you some reading on simon of peraea.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

this guy is absolutely awesome

Wow Ohio State

 

All the Ohio State football team warrants is one simple line.  Are you really that stupid?

 

I'll Take a 40 Point Win

 
Like I said earlier, Villanova would only be stopped by Monmouth in the event of a bus crash.  This wasn't a big shocker.

just bear with the terrible announcing.

Monmouth Preview

Miles Austin went to Monmouth, Kim Kardashian did not

Villanova travels to West Long Branch, New Jersey tonight to face the Monmouth Hawks.  Why Villanova would schedule an away game against a team like this is beyond me.  Really all you need to know about this game is that if VU doesn't win, I will go postal. 

Villanova Wins If- The bus doesn't crash.
Villanova Loses If- The bus crashes.
What I'm Looking For- More contribution from James Bell.
Beer of The Game- Pabst Blue Ribbon.  We're going for the hipster angle this game.

Don't Make Comparisons Between UConn and UCLA

Different eras, different genders, different sports.  That's three immediate distinctions you can make between the UCLA teams of John Wooden in the 60's and 70's and the UConn women of this decade.  Comparing the streaks of the two does an injustice to both of the respective teams.  The fact is that the landscape of college sports has changed so much in the 30+ years since The Bruins were dominating college basketball with the likes of Bill Walton and Lew Alcindor.  Each streak is remarkable when it stands on its own, which is how they should be judged, independently of each other.  Any comparison of the streaks simply takes away from the accomplishments of the teams in question.

Back to Reality

Now that football season's over (bleh) it's time to get back to what everyone is really interested in.. Basketball.  I'll get on that this week.

Don't Feed The Trolls



A Tweet From Our Fearless Leader!

Keys to the Game: Villanova-EWU Edition

This is a season of firsts for Villanova.  It is the first time they get to defend a national championship, the first time they've made it to the playoffs three consecutive years, the first time they have won a road playoff game (two and counting,) and the first time they've made it to the semifinals in successive seasons.  On Friday night, The 'Cats will play Eastern Washington for the right to defend their championship.  The Eagles are already missing their All-American running back Taiwan Jones for the semifinal match up and will have to rely on a couple of inexperienced backups to shoulder the ground game.  This is a very winnable game, but complacency is not acceptable. 

Here are the keys to the game:

1. Harass Their Receivers- Without Jones, the EWU passing game will have to shoulder the load.  Since the VU pass rush has been suspect at best, the best hope is to make the opposing receivers dread making plays over the middle.  Limiting yards after the catch will be paramount.
2. Capitalize on Mistakes- EWU quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw 33 interceptions in less than two full seasons at Southern Methodist, so it would be safe to say that he's turnover prone.  If Mitchell makes ill advised throws in this game, it is imperative that Villanova makes him pay. 
3. Play Villanova Football- Luckily for Villanova, their brand of football works in all conditions.  In all likelihood it will be cold and windy with a possibility of snow, which works in our favor.  Solid defense and a ball control offense are paramount when the conditions are less than ideal.  
4. Ignore the Red Turf- Because it's just obnoxious.

New Father Peter Football Letter.. WITH FAQS!

Dear Alumni and Friends:
I hope this note finds you well and enjoying a wonderful Christmas season.
I am committed to keeping you apprised of our decision-making process as we consider the Big East choice we now face. To recap, we currently compete in the Big East Conference in all varsity sports with the exception of football where we are a member of the Colonial Athletic Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly “I-AA”). If we were to decide to join the Big East as a football member, it would require our transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS, formerly “I-A”). Since this is such a complex decision, we began a formal evaluation process in September 2010. In this correspondence–the third to-date of my alumni messages on the Big East decision–I want to update you on our progress. At the end of this message, I will also answer a number of questions I have received in recent weeks.
Objective Research and Analyses
Our decision-making process is centered upon one question: Which choice best supports the goals of the Villanova University Strategic Plan? Accordingly, we are conducting thorough research and analyses of the implications of either choice for the following areas: academic quality and a diverse intellectual climate; school spirit and extracurricular activities; finance and budget (projected revenue, expenses, and changes in institutional support); fundraising and donor support; practice and playing facilities; and the impact of media exposure on Villanova’s reputational goals.
In addition, we have externally commissioned several specific studies:

• A strategic and financial assessment of implications for Villanova (FBS Feasibility Study)
• An architectural assessment of the scope of improvements needed for practice/training facilities
• Market research to determine consumer demand/ticket sales at the FBS level
• An assessment of the value of increased national media exposure
• An assessment of the effects on our fundraising program

Stakeholder Communication
The decision-making process is being led by the Villanova Board of Trustees and senior administrators. However, open communication with–and input from–Villanova community members is crucial. Accordingly, we have held Big-East discussions with the following groups to date:

• President’s Cabinet (9/20)
• Athletic Subcommittee (9/21)
• Athletic Board Committee (10/11)
• Administrative Budget Committee (10/18)
• President’s Leadership Circle (10/20)
• Senate Athletic Advisory Committee (10/20)
• Faculty (11/9 and 11/10)
• Student Leadership Group (11/12)
• Alumni Association Board (12/9)
• Board of Trustees (12/14)

Meetings with the University Senate and with staff are slated for January. In addition, my staff and I have been sending regular updates to constituent groups including students, faculty, staff, and you–our alumni–to ensure that our entire community is kept up to date. Senior administrators and I have also spent many hours in conversation with stakeholders. We have listened carefully, and greatly appreciate the input of all members of the Villanova community.
Timeframe

• January 2011: Continued community meetings, stakeholder dialogue, and research and analyses
• February 2011: Board of Trustees meeting; discussion of research findings to-date
• March 2011: Assessment of remaining research findings
• April 2011: Board of Trustees meeting; discussion of outstanding items; Board decision

Whatever choice we make, it is crucial that we have performed our due diligence and that our community is able to move forward with confidence. I can assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in this evaluation. In the meantime, I thank you for your dedication to Villanova University, and wish you and your family a joyous and blessed Christmas.
Sincerely,

Fr. Peter Donohue, O.S.A.
President

Pitino- You Suck at Life

I Will Never Make Fun of Another Name

After seeing this:

Combing The Internet Doesn't Accomplish anything

It seems that every week, a new person (me included) comes out and says that they have privileged information about a potential Villanova football upgrade coming from a "rich uncle" or "someone close to the situation".  The fact is, that unless you're hearing it directly from a trustee, the information is unreliable at best.  In high stakes situations like this, opposing factions often put out false information in order to quell expectations/influence others.  I don't think many people really know about the results of a "straw poll" or anything along those lines, or if such a thing really took place.

Regardless of what you hear, keep the movement alive.  If it is ultimately voted down, get indignant (and if you're a student, go on a hunger strike or something.)  I will not shut up about this unless VU issues a report rejecting the Big East that is absolutely bulletproof.

Villanova is Not a Top 20 Team

At this point they may not even be a top 30 team.

• Maalik Wayns is out of control.
• Corey Fisher can't shoot for shit.

Something needs to change before the Big East season starts.

Nova Catches an Early Break- EWU's Best Player Out

Just Desserts for Your Ugly Turf

Eastern Washington's star running back Taiwan Jones broke his foot and won't play next Friday.  Expect a heavy dose of  the pass from EWU's transfer quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell.

If LaSalle Wins

Expect dire consequences

HELLO WASHINGTON!

Villanova up 28-10 at The Half

Matt Szczur has four total touchdowns
two rushing
one receiving
one passing

Keys to Villanova-Appy State

 

Tomorrow at noon, Villanova will head to Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina to face Appalachian State.  This is a match up of great intrigue as the two teams in this game represent four of the last five FCS national championships (three of those belonging to Appalachian State.)  Aside from the pedigree of the two teams, both teams feature high powered spread offenses and dynamic play makers on defense.

Here are my keys to tomorrow's game

1. Stay at Home- Blitzing hasn't been working and containing quarterback DeAndre Presley must be paramount.  Since Presley runs like he's a tailback, Villanova must find a way to keep him contained and force other players to beat them.  Villanova saw with Rodney Landers two years ago that if you blitz a running quarterback and miss a tackle in the backfield, he can easily turn it into a 20 yard game.  Rush four at most and keep the rest in coverage.  
2. Don't Get Caught Up in The Moment- It will be a raucous environment in Boone, one that The Wildcats have never seen before, even at Delaware.  Now is not the time to get stupid and start making dumb mistakes that cost teams games. 
3. Win The Turnover Battle- The single biggest factor in last week's thumping of Stephen F. Austin was the turnover margin.  The muffed punt recovered by Villanova was the turning point of the game.  Without that turnover, Villanova very well could have lost that game. 
4. Run The Ball- It's cold outside and that means that it's time to run the ball.  Appy gives up 160 rushing yards a game, something that bodes well for VU.  With a healthy Matt Szczur and a stable of running backs including Aaron Ball and Angelo Babbaro, Villanova will try to pound it at The Mountaineers.  That should set up the passing game for Chris Whitney and give the team a better chance at winning.  

Let's do this..

Index of App State Players You Need To Know

DeAndre Presley

Here is the full five part series of Appalachian State players you need to know:
Part 1- Quarterback DeAndre Presley
Part 2- Wide Receiver Brian Quick
Part 3- Runningback Travaris Cadet
Part 4- Defensive End Jabari Fletcher
Part 5- Safety Mark LeGree

I'll be back later today after my final with a comprehensive list of keys to tomorrow's game/matchups to watch.   

Villanova Upgrade Case

A well argued case courtesy of VUSports.com

Update: 2:31 PM- A more comprehensive study

App State Players You Need To Know: S Mark LeGree

Part 5 of a week long look at the Appalachian State Mountaineers
Part 1- QB DeAndre Presley
Part 2- WR Brian Quick 
Part 3- RB Travaris Cadet
Part 4- DE Jabari Fletcher 

Perhaps the best and most decorated defensive player on either team, Mark LeGree was recently named a first team All-American for the third consecutive year.  After backing up Corey Lynch, the hero of Apppalachian State's upset of Michigan (and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer) his freshman year, LeGree has been a force in the secondary for The Mountaineers for the last three seasons.  His 22 career interceptions are second in SoCon history behind only the aforementioned Lynch, and his 10 interceptions his sophomore season are the highest single season total in App St. history.  If Chris Whitney makes a mistake throwing it deep, you can be sure that Mark LeGree will be there ready to capitalize on any mistake.

App State Players You Need To Know: DE Jabari Fletcher

Part 4 of a week long look at the Appalachian State Mountaineers
Part 1- QB DeAndre Presley
Part 2- WR Brian Quick 
Part 3- RB Travaris Cadet


While they are much better on offense than they are on defense, Appalachian State still has some solid defensive players.  One of those players is senior defensive end Jabari Fletcher.  In 12 games this season, Fletcher leads The Mountaineers in sacks with eight.

Yet Another Preview of Coming Fans

App State Players You Need To Know: RB Travaris Cadet

Part 3 of a week long look at the Appalachian State Mountaineers
Part 1- QB DeAndre Presley
Part 2- WR Brian Quick 

After spending last season as a receiver and backup quarterback, Junior running back Travaris Cadet is the second leading rusher (591 yards 5 touchdowns) for Appalachian State behind quarterback DeAndre Presley.  Cadet proceeded his college career as a prep quarterback at Miami Central Senior High School, one of the better programs in the country and saw significant time at quarterback last season behind the legendary Armanti Edwards.  In addition to his duties as running back in App State's spread offense, Cadet is also the primary kick and punt returner for The Mountaineers. Given his experience as a wide receiver, Cadet is a danger catching passes out of the backfield (17 catches 207 yards and 1 TD this season.)

Tomorrow I'll Profile defensive end Jabari Fletcher followed by wrapping up this series with safety Mark LeGree.

App State Players You Need to Know: WR Brian Quick

Part 2 of a series previewing teams leading up to the game on Saturday.. Part one (QB DeAndre Presley) is here

Appalachian State may be a running team primarily, but that doesn't change the fact that junior wide receiver Brian Quick is arguably their most dangerous offensive weapon.  With his size and athleticism, Quick compares quite well to Villanova starting split end Norman White.  Digging into Quick's bio, i found it interesting that he only played one year of high school football (he played basketball) so he is still quite new to the game.  Relative inexperience aside, Quick has had a monster season for The Mountaineers; during which he is averaging more than 18 yards per catch (by comparison, Brian Finneran averaged 14.5 yards per catch in his Walter Payton Award winning senior year at VU)   and has scored 8 touchdowns.  Stopping Quick with as few players as possible may be the single biggest key for The 'Cats to stop the App State rushing attack, so neutralizing him must be a huge priority for Villanova in the lead up to Saturday.

As the week continues, i'll take a look at Running Back/Return Specialist Travaris Cadet, Defensive End Jabari Fletcher, and Safety Mark LeGree. 

App State Players You Need to Know: QB DeAndre Presley

Nobody knew how Appalachian State would function this year without Armanti Edwards, who quarterback who led them to consecutive national championships, and became the first player to win the Walter Payton Award twice when he won it for the second consecutive season in 2009.  The answer to how The Mountaineers would function this season was answered definitively with the performance of Junior signal caller DeAndre Presley.  In 12 games this season, Presley has amassed nearly 3,300 yards of total offense and accounted for 34 touchdowns. While DP (parents, think about giving your kids unfortunate initials when you name them) as he will be referred to from now on is a dangerous runner, he is also 11th in the FCS in passing efficiency.  Stopping a dual-threat (that's scouting lingo for "black") quarterback is very difficult because you must respect both the arm and legs of a quarterback.  Villanova will probably attempt to spy Presley in hopes to contain him running the ball and hope that they won't get burned through the air. 

Tomorrow this feature will continue with wide receiver Brian Quick

JVP- No Surprise

In the dog house

The news about JayVaughn Pinkston being suspended for the season did not surprise me in the least.  I had heard earlier that there was a chance that he was going to be thrown out of school permanently.  I would like to applaud Villanova for not ruining a young man's life and giving him a chance to redeem himself.  It would be very easy from a PR perspective for them to sever all ties with JayVaughn and they didn't so kudos to VU.

Another Preview of Coming Fans

Redacted.. Game to Be on Saturday

At noon.  Fuck you NBC10

VU-Appy to be on Friday

Just caught that while watching the news earlier.. I have a final earlier on Friday, so we'd better win.

In sad news, Dorian Wells ruptured his spleen in practice and is out for the season.

A Preview of Coming Attractions

What to expect in Boone

54-24

So after a tense (shitty) first quarter, Villanova essentially put on a 7-7 drill for the final three quarters, outscoring Stephen F. Austin 47-7.  The win sets up a quarterfinal match up with Appalachian State in Boone, NC next week.

Some highlights:

• Andy Talley won his first road playoff game.
• Jeremy Moses isn't very good.  This Moses would have done a better job (and he's dead.)
• Chris Whitney is a beast.  He went over 2,000 passing yards in a season for the first time in his career with his performance today.
• Welcome back Szczur Christ.  11 catches is a career high for the messiah.
• The gay Lumberjacks offense should have had a laugh track attached to it in the second half.
• Norman White had 3! touchdowns.
• Marquis Kirkland is a monster.
• 4-4 on field goals! Mark Hamilton was able to double (plus one) the number of total field goals Villanova made all season.
• The 14 point comeback was the biggest since Delaware (fuck you joe flacco) in 2006.
• We're the Wildcard Bitches!
• Bring on the rednecks!

What Happened to the Perimeter Game?

Shooting Blanks

Before this season, 29% is a figure that i thought i was most likely to see on an English exam taken by a Kentucky recruit.  Through twelve games this season however, Villanova has been unable to find any kind of rhythm from behind the three point line and as a result they are shooting a paltry 29% from downtown.  It is early in the season and we are still working on a small sample size and no team in the Jay Wright era has shot under 34% from three point range over a full season, but seven games is enough to identify disturbing trends.  Most alarming about this trend is the fact that Big East season and the most difficult games of the season have yet to come along.

Interesting (or alarming if you're a pessimist) nuggets about the shooting ineptitude-

• Corey Stokes is leading the team in three point percentage at 38%. That would be the lowest number since his freshman season when he was a bit player.
• I cannot believe how poorly Corey Fisher has been shooting.  Fisher is shooting just under 23% from beyond the arc.  I have an idea for you Fish- TAKE IT TO THE BUCKET! 
• Dominic Cheek is the only player other than Stokes converting more than 30% of his three point opportunities.
• Maalik Wayns should just stop taking outside shots.  He's 5-30 on the season from beyond the arc (16.7%.)  I think someone should remind him that he's not a shooter.
• I miss you Scottie.
• This team must develop a perimeter game to be competitive later on in the season.  If they don't, they will be spectators come March.

With Penn (a bunch of athletically challenged white kids) on the horizon, this team has ample opportunity to stop this garbage.

Damn Straight

Keys to Villanova-Stephen F. Austin

The Road to The Repeat

Before last Sunday, all i knew about Stephen F. Austin was that it's in Texas and they have some quarterback who puts up gaudy statistics.  Since then, I've learned that it's in Nacogdoches, the quarterback is named Jeremy Moses, and they're pretty good.  I don't think that this is some unclimbable mountain, because i think on a day where both teams played their best, Villanova would come out on top.  This will be the healthiest that The 'Cats have been since the first game of the season and it's safe to assume that they'll be ready to play tomorrow afternoon despite the layoff.   

Here are the keys to the game

1. Play Like You're at Home- Andy Talley is 0-6 in his career on the road in the playoffs.  This is probably the best road matchup that Villanova has ever had in the playoffs under Talley.  VU must get up for the game without psyching themselves out too much.  With a veteran team like this, i think they'll be okay.
2. Don't Blitz if it's Not Working- Moses, the quarterback for SFA is pretty good and the last thing that Villanova needs is for him to have all day to throw the ball.  The Wildcat defense should blitz early to see if it works and if it doesn't, stop blitzing and drop eight guys into coverage.  Any spread passing coach would rather face a blitzing team because it opens up the door for big plays after the catch.  If The Lumberjacks (such a gay nickname) can throw the ball at will, they will be very difficult to beat.
3. Score Touchdowns- Villanova kickers cannot be counted on to do much of anything, therefore touchdowns are of the utmost importance.  
4. Win the Turnover Battle- Every game this team has lost this year was the product of turnovers one way or another.  I'm confident that if Villanova wins the turnover battle, they'll win the game.  You cannot give an explosive offense like Stephen F. Austin extra opportunities to score.
5. Just Win Baby

The "Holy War" Means Nothing

Older Villanova fans eagerly wait for the St. Joe's game every year.  Why do they care? Nostalgia.  While this is the Super Bowl for The Hawks (and the St. Joe's student body who are 95% Nova rejects,) the average Villanova fan under the age of 50 views this game as just another annoyance on the road to the Big East  regular season.  The Big 5 is a tired institution that barely even has bragging rights attached to it at this point.  The City Series is a lose-lose scenario for Villanova, because they are expected to win it every year at this point and it's simply embarrassing if they're unable to finish the job.  Tradition is well and good, but what good is tradition if a huge sector of your fan base simply doesn't care about your "biggest" rivalry game. 

What to look for tonight:

• I really don't expect anything other than a win.  A VU loss would be cause to commit seppuku as St. Joe's recently lost to Drexel. 
• Pray that Corey Fisher doesn't play like an invalid again.
• The sheen on Phil Martelli's head.
• The MAC Championship Game.. just kidding.