Breaking News: Yeast Infection Outbreak is The Cause of Recent Struggles

More to come on this shocking development as details emerge.

Updated 9:41 PM-  The monistat is on the way.

Updated 10:53 PM- According to sources at the Centers for Disease Control, it is believed that Corey Fisher contracted it from Scottie Reynolds' girlfriend and spread it to the rest of the team.

I Want Distressed Students After Tonight

a don't kill yourself video made by Notre Dame

The Road Ahead: It Doesn't Get Better

In all likelihood, Villanova will not win another regular season game this year.  Ken Pomeroy's rankings say that the likelihood of a Villanova victory against either Notre Dame and Pitt are 33% and 19% respectively, and it bears noting that VU has been under-performing relative to their KenPom rankings (currently 20th), losing several games against teams they were picked to win against. 

The next two games are against teams that are very efficient on offense, and it's hard for me to see a way that they will beat either of them without an enormous amount of luck.

What a Miserable Experience

I'm done searching for answers;  I'm done pointing fingers.  Assigning blame when a team isn't very good in the first place is just unproductive.  Who knows if Villanova makes the NCAA Tournament at this point.  All I know is that they won't do very much once they get there.

Today I'll leave you with videos of building implosions in honor of the implosion of the Villanova basketball team the past two seasons:

Dear Maalik: Dunks are Better Than Threes

Just a little something from last year's St. John's game

Steve Lavin's Finest Hour

I would have ripped Majerus so hard if he said that in front of me.

also: Q&A sessions here and here

Updated 7:03 PM EST
according to a tip I received, Steve Lavin's finest hour was probably when he married her:

Can't say I disagree

Ben Ijalana Will NOT Participate in NFL Combine

Apparently Ben Ijalana is still recovering from hernia surgery and he will not participate in the workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine.   All is not lost however as He'll most likely be ready for his pro day in March and he'll still be able to meet with teams in Indianapolis.

Maurice Sutton

Villanova Links

No game until Villanova faces the Red Men Red Storm on Saturday so I'll do a link wrapup in the meantime.

• Ben Ijalana is a monster.
• Villanova is in a downward spiral and Maalik Wayns' butt hurts.
• VU Law's recent scandal is a small part of a large national problem regarding rankings of institutions.
• Not Villanova, but the media is all over St. John's head coach Steve Lavin's dick.
• Providence forward Marshon Brooks set a Big East single game scoring record last night with 52 points, but The Friars still lost to Notre Dame.

There we go.. Maybe more today, but probably not.

Maalik Wayns Is Resolute

Ben Ijalana is Looking Like an Early NFL Draft Pick

Despite a hernia that kept him out of the Senior Bowl, it is looking like former Villanova left tackle Ben Ijalana could sneak into the first round.  Mel Kiper (douchebag) , ESPN Scouts Inc., NFL Network's Mike Mayock, and Don Banks of SI all have him rated very highly, and Banks' most recent Mock Draft has him going to the defending champion Packers as the final pick of the first round.  Ijalana could really use a good combine, and will have to convince teams that he's an NFL tackle as opposed to a guard, but it's looking more and more like he's going to make a lot of money in the league.

Villanova Football Signing Profiles

I was planning to delay my coverage of VU Football for a while, but VUHoops did such an excellent job with some recruiting stuff that I thought I would link to it.

Part 1: Runners
Part 2: D-Line
Part 3: Quarterbacks
Part 4: Linebackers
Part 5: Receivers
Part 6: Offensive Line and Defensive Backfield

My football coverage should resume sometime in the near future with more discussion on the Big East leading up to the April deadline.

Managing Expectations

Last night was awful. It was pitiful, terrible and ugly. Stokes was the only person who could really score and was the only person to hit a three. Nova's last two possessions were embarrassing, the team had no idea what to do, no plan, no hope, no direction. And the DePaul game wasn't much better.  Yet some people still think this team is going to make it to the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight? People need to wake up and realize this team just isn't that good. Their only really good wins are at Syracuse and home against Louisville, their only notable OOC wins came against UCLA and Maryland, wins which in the past would have looked great, but this year came against low quality teams.  Sure we have played UConn, Pitt and Georgetown close but we still lost all those games. The fact is, Nova will struggle to win any of their 3 remaining games with St. John's being the best chance. It is frustrating to watch because, at times, it seems the talent is their, but this team is mentally not good enough to make a deep run in the tournament and its time for people to realize that before getting upset in March.  To make everyone feel a bit better, I give you Candice Swanepoel, a smoking hot South African model for Victoria's Secret. More pics after the jump.

Wanted: Accountability

Pitiful
Awful
Terrible
Horrible
Deplorable

Any of those terms would be proper adjectives to describe the recent performance of the Villanova basketball team.  This is a team without direction, and things only seem to be getting worse.  When searching for answers it's easy to blame the coach, Maalik Wayns an individual player, the officials, or the fans, but this seems to be a much larger problem, one that is not new to this program.

Since the graduation of Dante Cunningham, Dwayne Anderson, and meek millz Shane Clark, there has been a distinct lack of accountability that has seeped into the very core of the program.  Several embarassing incidents since 2009 have demonstrated that there is a lack of accountability in the program from the top down, and Olive Oyl's recently difficulty re: rule-following doesn't help the cause much.

I don't care much about wins and losses at this point, and I'm not looking to point fingers. I just want accountability.  I want someone (player or coach) to push the chips to the middle of the table and challenge this team to reach its potential because there is no doubt as to the talent that they possess.

DAMMIT

I HATE SYRACUSE correctional center


More to come tomorrow (or later on)

Back to Reality: Stokes Will Play Tonight

IDGAF ABOUT YOUR TOE!

So there we go with that.. It's Senior Night, so Corey Stokes is apparently good to play tonight against Syracuse after sitting out the better part of the last three games with turf toe.  Good news for fans, bad news for Maalik Wayns' misguided three attempts.

Special Comment: Juli Boeheim

Not quite Anna Nicole Smith, but close enough.

Special comment courtesy of Kanye West after the Jump:

Jim Boeheim Gets Angry at Inanimate Objects

it's like this:

Fish Has Been a Beast in Conference Play

Beef Moe

Because of how well Kemba Walker has played all season, Corey Fisher has zero chance of winning Big East Player of the Year (nor should he have any chance when compared with Walker,) but Fisher is quietly having an incredible conference season.  In 14 conference games, Fish is leading the team in the following categories:

• Points (17.7 a game)
• Field Goal Percentage (.516)
• 3 Point Percentage (.517)
• Assists (5.2 a game)
• Steals (1.7 a game)
• Assist to turnover margin (2.08:1)
• He's also second on the team in Free Throw percentage and free throws made.  

 At this point, Fish is looking like a first team all-conference player, and the team's MVP.  If Fish keeps up his high level of play and Corey Stokes is able to come back healthy, then this team actually has a chance to make a run in the NCAA Tournament despite what recent performances may suggest.

P.S.: Stop giving so many minutes to Maurice Sutton and Isaiah Armwood, they've been pretty bad.

Jim Boeheim's Greatest Hits Part One

ONIONS!

WE'RE STILL NOT VERY GOOD!

Another DePaul Student Made Video (also very bad)

It's about the third I've seen that has featured Sufjan Stevens. Doesn't anyone know how to write dialogue?

Another Reason DePaul is Terrible

The DePaul student video contest was the worst idea ever..


In case you missed it, here is the one from yesterday, also terrible (it's worse)

Preparing You For DePaul (The Worst Thing Ever)

it may not even be a thing

James Bell!

 

I told you so..

Failgasm

Another example of why ESPN sucks

Villanova-Seton Hall: Bill Raftery Highlights

Since I am averse to most forms of real analysis, and because I enjoy posting YouTube videos, I have decided to post some videos of former current college basketball broadcaster and former Seton Hall head coach (1970-1981) Bill Raftery. 

Stokes Will Miss Two More Games, it's Time to Commit Harakiri

According to the Delaware County Times, Corey Stokes is out for "at least the next two games".  Stokes' abeence means that Maalik Wayns now officially has license to jack up at least eight open threes in each of the next two games (and make two of them, total).

Now since this is foot related, I officially defer to Rex Ryan for his analysis:

Some Jim Croce

I'm up late working on a project and i just felt like i'd post some Jim Croce for the hell of it as he is a Villanova alum.

more

Don't Donate to Villanova Unless They Move Up in Football

Villanova must be convinced that any action they take that is not moving up to the Big East  in football would be a losing proposition.  I love Villanova, and I have loved Villanova for as long as I can remember, but if they do not upgrade the football program, not only will I never donate a cent to the school; I will encourage others to withhold donations as well.

As seemingly thousands of people (and myself) have said before, Villanova's most important asset is their basketball team, and that team is only valuable as long as they're in a power conference.  If VU does not pull the trigger, we risk exposing our basketball team and seriously threatening the momentum that the school has built up academically.  Even if you don't care about football, you must understand that basketball would be seriously threatened without making this move, and this is why I implore Villanova fans to tell the University that you will not donate a penny in the future if they decide against moving up.

How I'd Fix The Pavilion

The Students are NOT the Problem

Last night it was glaringly obvious that the majority of Villanova's fans over the age of 50 are absolutely incapable of cheering The 'Cats in in a manner any louder than a golf clap.  The difference between the morning and night yesterday was about as glaring as it can possibly be, and the ESPN broadcast team actually called the VU crowd out.  Part of the problem is the small capacity of The Pavilion, and another is the horrific configuration of the place.  The fact is that the fan base has outgrown the venue, and that even in its current configuration, students are vastly underrepresented and disenfranchised.  I'll never forget Hoops Mania 2007, my sophomore year, when I was one of hundreds of students locked out of The Pavilion after waiting in line for well over an hour on a cold and rainy night.

Last night's despicable Showing is proof that some type of action needs to be taken by the powers that be at Villanova to improve the atmosphere on campus.  I have some suggestions:

1. Increase student ticket allocation- The fact that less than a quarter of Villanova undergrads are able to attend a given on campus game is pretty crappy.  1,500 students is not nearly enough in a crowd of 6,500.  I'm sure that students would be willing to pay for tickets if they were guaranteed a better shot at getting them through the lottery.
2. Move the student section- The obvious model here is Duke.  Why is Cameron Indoor Stadium so tough for road teams? One of the reasons is that Duke is generally pretty good on the court, but the fact that the student section is right on top of the action cannot be understated.  Villanova should do the same thing.  I know that there is a risk of pissing off some alumni, but the students are the most important part of the deal, both on the court and in the stands.
3. Sell Alcohol- Not going to happen, but it would work!

That's all I have to say about this for now, but something needs to change quickly.  The Pavilion can be a special atmosphere, but the old people cannot continue to sit on their hands and water down the gameday atmosphere.

DAMMIT

Coming later today: Why the vast majority of Villanova season ticket holders suck, and how the administration should address the way they crap on the students.

Villanova-Pitt Live Blog

Get Excited

Six and a half hours left


We'll have a live blog starting at around 7:45.. Be here or someone will snatch your children in the middle of the night.

Live Blog Tomorrow

Soo Cinematic

yoscottieimissyouguy

A Collection of Pitt Related Links

Hitler the Pitt Fan

Game of The Decade

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Sad Trombone

Thieves!

More seriously:
VUHoops.com talks with ESPN host Rece Davis and then later with the Pitt blog Cat Scratch Fever.

Well That Sucked

This has to be the first, and only, time I'm glad that Cablevision doesn't carry ESPN3 because had I been watching that game live there's a very good (like 100%) chance I would have smashed my computer into a million little pieces. While I could focus on things like the fact that there was an illegal inbounds, the clock didn't start on time and that the foul on Fish was a weak call at best, the fact is Villanova should not be in that situation against Rutgers.  So I felt like today NovaNation could use a little pick-me-up in the form of Esti Ginzburg.  Check after the jump for more Jewish Sexiness.

Didn't see that coming

This was us last night. Just crip-walking our way towards GameDay on Saturday, not a care in the world, and then BOOM!!! Rutgers ice cream truck.

A Message From Jim Jones to Villanova Fans

Do not worry friends, this loss was just a bump in the road to salvation. The evil capitalists at Rutgers were just there to test your devotion to the lord Jesus. They do not understand our peaceful socialist way of living, they do not want to know what it is like to suffer for the lord. So now, what you should all do is drink the punch that I am about to do give you and you will have eternal salvation in heaven with Jesus. You will not have to deal with the miserable intolerance that our capitalist oppressors show against Villanova fans anymore.

GameDay

Its been a bit slow today at the firm, so naturally I've been trolling the internet for Villanova Basketball news. While there is no news to speak of, here's a few videos from ESPN gearing up for Saturday.



First, Rece Davis is pumped about GameDay finally coming to Philly.




Hubert Davis thinks we play all of our games at Wachovia/Wells Fargo, but loves the fact that we are playing at the Pavillion for GameDay and thinks this will be the best game of the year for GameDay.



This picture is from the voting for best sign from last week:

I have never met that man in my life, but props to him for using my celebrity to get him on ESPN.

A few more notes:

- I am so disappointed I'm not going to be there. I may be even more disappointed that the new wannabe Bluemans are going to be there. Its a disgrace that those jabronees who cut eyeholes in their suits and are probably going to be on GameDay and probably won't be nearly as drunk as I would have been.



- While I love that Pavillion, I wish there would have been some upgrades made to the place so it would appear a little nicer on TV(ie: when the hell are we going to upgrade that jumbo scoreboard and get an actual jumbotron? We're a perennial top 10 team, our facilities should reflect that). Also, I hope that the administration/staff of the Pavillion have realized that they will need to throw the "No Signs in the Pavillion" rule out the window for GameDay. How PITTiful (pun intended) will we look on GameDay if no one in the crowd had a single sign? My last experience with this was on the night Scottie scored his 2,000th point and I had held up my "Scottie 2 Hottie" sign for no more than 5 seconds before security was on my blue ass. I hope that is not the same outcome for students on Saturday.

- Lastly, there should be multiple Giant Head posters in the crowd and these should all be included: ME (The One, the ONLY, the Original, BlueMan), VillaGnome, Jay Wright, Father Peter, Mouph and possibly a Matt Sczcur wearing a Cubs hat.

Football Upgrade Video

sent out with an alumni survey.. this is getting tedious.

Jury Selected in Shooting of Former Villanova Lax Player

A jury was selected yesterday in Philadelphia for 29 year old Temple Law student Gerald Ung. Ung is charged with attempted murder and a series of related offenses for the January 17, 2010 shooting of former Villanova lacrosse player Eddie DiDonato which left DiDonato critically injured.  Ung's attorney is expected to argue that he shot DiDonato six times in self defense.

Opening arguments are scheduled to begin today.

From the Vault: 7/09

In light of distressing recent news about the goings on at the Villanova School of Law under former dean Mark Sargent, I would like to defer you to a story written by The Voice over a year and a half ago.

Here you go:

Villanova Law Dean Drops Briefs, Becomes Solictor

This is pure gold, perhaps the best title in the history of this fine blog.

 

 

Randy Foye's #2 to be "Retired" on Saturday

Yours truly hasn't done much blogging lately, so I figured I should get back in the game. That Packers girl yesterday gave me just a little taste and now I'm hooked again (hopefully this blogging thing doesn't go down the same road that my Smurf-themed-porn addiction did.)

Anyways I'm coming back with a bang with a little tidbit that I can't believe Fact(@TheFoyeEffect) himself hasn't blogged yet. Randy Foye's number will be retired this Saturday during GameDay. While no Villanova numbers are truly retired in the sense that no one else wears them, it is still a great honor and well deserved.

Villanova News on a Monday

No games today, so I'll just relay some things of interest that relate to Villanova today.

• Friend of the blog Brian Ewart of VUHoops.com hits hard with perhaps the best piece yet on conference expansion and how it relates to Villanova.
• Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs' status for the game against VU next Saturday appears very much in doubt after suffering a knee injury.
• 2011 basketball recruit Tyrone Johnson is profiled by the Washington Post.
• Corey Fisher was named one of ten finalists for the Cousy Award.
• Villanova is back in the top ten in both polls.
• Finally, it annoys me when traditional football rivalry game nicknames like "Backyard Brawl" or "The Red River Rivalry" are used for sports other than football.

POW!

Also contributing.

Fact on Villanova Sports Super Bowl Betting Guide

Okay it's Super Bowl day.  Everyone knows that the least interesting part about the game isn't the game itself, but other little things within the game like commercials and reckless gambling.  I will give you my guide to some prop bets along with my pick against the spread.

How many times will FOX show Jerry Jones? The over/under is 3.5, the over is favored at -145.  This is an easy one, pick the over, Fox loves Jerry Jones and Jerry Jones is a whore. I think Jerry will be interviewed on camera at least twice.

How many times will Brett Favre be mentioned during the game? The over under is 2.5, with the under favored at -140.  Whoever set that line stands to lose a lot of money because Brett Favre will be mentioned at least five times in the first half.

Will a player attempt a Lambeau Leap during the Super Bowl? No favored line- go with yes.

Which team will win the coin toss? No favorite, but pick the Steelers because the NFC has won 13 straight coin tosses.

Finally, take The Packers against  the spread (-3) because they haven't lost a game by more than four points and have won six games in a row in which Aaron Rodgers played the entire game.

Villanova Kills WVU

Where is James Bell?

I expected Villanova to win yesterday, but I did not expect them to thoroughly dominate.  I thought that West Virginia was a good enough team that it would be at least a close finish.  I was wrong. While the first half was ugly, VU came out inspired in the second half and got the job done.

Here are my thoughts

• I really don't understand why Isaiah Armwood is starting.  I offer more on the offensive end than he does.  Put him in as an energy guy off the bench. 
• This team actually plays defense!
• Stop the Maalik Wayns/Kyle Lowry comparisons immediately people.  Such comparisons accomplish absolutely nothing and Leek isn't anywhere close to the player Kyle was.
• Free James Bell!
• I still love Mouph.
• Thank God that Maurice Sutton got almost no playing time.  The performance of the team yesterday offers yet more proof that he's below replacement level.
•  Stokes needs to step his shit up.

That's all for this game.. more to come later this week in the run up to Rutgers.

What Bob Huggins Did in His Offseason

Utah State Fans > Villanova Fans

Sad but true.. and they're probably mormon which means they aren't even drunk.


My favorite


Ridiculous


This basically made me realize that I don't have to be profane when I cheer for Villanova because these are awesome, but I enjoy drawing attention to myself so I will continue to do it..

BOOM!

Contributing

Villanova Beats Marquette and Associated Awesomeness

How could you say no to a face like that?

As all of you should know by now, Villanova snapped a three game skid last night by hanging on to beat Marquette 75-70.  Mouphtaou Yarou led the way with a game high 18 points, while all four of the others on Villanova's "best five" (what I have decided to call them since Maalik Wayns hasn't started the last two games) scored in double figures; including 17 points for Corey Fisher.  The Golden Eagles were paced by Jimmy Butler and Darius Johnson-Odom, each of whom had 15 points.

My other thoughts/some extra nuggets are after the Jump

National Signing Day

The only day fax machines get used anymore

Villanova signed 18 football recruits from seven different states to national letters of intent today.  This class is heavy on linebackers and running backs.  Notably absent from this list is RB Jordan Canzeri who reneged on his verbal commitment to VU to sign with Iowa and Neshaminy HS LB Corey Majors who is rumored to be going to prep school. The official release is here.  I'll have more information on Majors if I get more information.

The Villanova Football Class of 2015 is:

Jamal Abdur-Rahman	RB	5-10	180	Philadelphia, Pa.	LaSalle
Noble Ajakaiye	DL	6-2	235	Harrisburg, N.C.	Hickory Ridge
Morgan Craig	TE	6-4	255	Clarks Summit, Pa.	Abington Heights
Joey Harmon	LB	6-1	225	Pembroke Pines, Fla.	Salisbury School
Clay Horne	WR	6-6	220	St. Paul, Minn.	Lawrence Academy
Jordan Hunter	DL	6-2	300	Burlington Twp, N.J.	Burlington Twp.
Vince Kowalski	OL	6-3	250	Williamstown, N.J.	Williamstown
Dillon Lucas	LB	6-1	215	Medford, N.J.	Shawnee
Matt McCann	DB	5-10	195	Pittsburgh, Pa.	Keystone Oaks
Jerry Miles	DB	5-11	200	Dublin, Ohio	Scioto
Kevin Monangai	RB	5-10	195	Roseland, N.J.	Seton Hall Prep
Reggie Paris	LB	6-3	225	Pemberton, N.J.	Pemberton
Earnest Pettway	TE	6-4	245	Long Beach, Calif.	Long Beach Poly
Chris Polony	QB	6-3	210	Whitehall, Pa.	Whitehall
Justin Rhinesmith	OL	6-4	270	Cape May Court House, NJ	Middle Twp.
John Robertson	QB	6-1	205	Paramus, N.J.	Paramus
Joe Sarnese	DB	6-0	195	Ventnor, N.J.	Holy Spirit
Patrick Williams	DL	6-1	275	Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.	University School

Pre-Marquette Stuff

You Can Graduate from Marquette with a D+

I'll admit that my basketball watching game has been pretty weak this year and I don't know much about Marquette, so I'll defer to my esteemed colleagues for some pregame prep.

VUHoops.com's preview of the game also a conversation with Stuck in 1977, a Marquette blog.
The Nova Blog's conversation with Anonymous Eagle, another Marquette blog