Going to keep this short, but I wanted to have a place for people to talk this week until we get a final four preview up.
Aaron McKie and Eddie Jones couldn’t do it. Jameer and Delonte couldn’t do it. Randy Foye, Allen Ray and Kyle Lowry couldn’t do it. But tonight, Scottie Reynolds, Dante Cunningham, Dwayne Anderson and Corey Fisher (among others) did it.
Jay Wright and the Villanova Wildcats are heading the to Final Four, the first for a Big-5 team since Nova won it all in 1985.
Here are some of my thoughts on the game…
- Maybe it was just me, but the entire game it felt like we were losing. Nova was turning the ball over, missing open 3-pointers and getting a lot of ticky tack fouls called. The fact that they beat Pitt without playing their best game says a lot about this team and their coach.
- Dante Cunningham’s pass and Scottie Reynolds finish (with the non-call foul) to end the game might end up as the most famous play in Big-5 history. Reggie Redding, after the stupidest pass in Big-5 history, owes them a dinner.
- Dwayne Anderson made 2 gigantic plays down the stretch with the steal/3-point play, and the 3-pointer to take the lead.
- The offense carried this team through much of the year, but the defense has carried them through the last two. Pitt got nothing easy (and neither did we) and we were relentless. Very few easy shots, and only TWO offensive rebounds for DeJuan Blair, who averaged 5.6 per game for the year.
- The other big advantage was our depth. Pitt only had 28 points from guys not named Blair or Young, Nova had 49 from guys not named Reynolds or Cunningham.
- 22 of 23 from the FT line was the most important stat of the game. Pitt shot 6 more free throws, but Nova had 1 more point off of them. John Calipari could learn something from Jay Wright’s emphasis on FT shooting.
- I don’t usually feel “proud” of a player, but that’s the best word to describe how I feel about Dante Cunningham. He has worked tirelessly to develop his game is now has a polished post game, a great jumper and is relentless on the defensive end. When he signed with Nova as a 3-star prospect, I don’t think anyone could have envisioned him being the leading scorer on a Final Four team. Just a fantastic college basketball player.
- For Nova to continue on in this tournament, Reynolds and Fisher are going to have to hit their open 3’s. They were great at getting into the lane and drawing contact, but they’ve got to hit their open shots.
That’s all I got for now, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
One reason Nova won tonight was because I, for once, didn’t pick all the Philly related teams to go all the way in my bracket (But if OK upsets UNC, I still look like a genius). That was a great basketball game. Every part of that game-winning play was a miracle. The in-bounds toss, Cunningham’s leaping catch and dump pass, Reynolds catching it in full sprint, and getting it up and in with the Fridge in front of him. Clearly they practice that play, but the execution was pure poetry.
As for your first bullet point, Pete, yeah, that was you. I thought Nova had Pitt’s number from beginning to end, even if it felt at times that it could go either way. Even though the Cats missed a lot of jumpers early, the Villanova D was sticky and tough, and you could tell Pitt was in trouble, even if they hadn’t build that 18-8 lead. Big day for Philly sports.
Let’s hope this inspires the Sixers to a strong finish.
to clarify – I didn’t feel like we were going to lose the game, just that we were losing at the time.
Just because of missed opportunities, dumb turnovers and missed open shots that weren’t happening the last 2 games.
it felt to me all game long that nova was outplaying pitt. i haven’t watched nova that much this season, so take that for whatever it’s worth.
great stat on sports center… Nova has the most wins all time as the lower seed in an NCAA Tournament game (15)
Pete: I like how you started your post by mentioning the several other great Philly teams we had in the Big 5 during the 90s. It is cool this batch made it when those Temple/St. Joe’s/Nova teams couldn’t. And There was also the other 2nd Temple team aside from the Mckie/Jones one, later in the 90’s, I believe with Pepe Sanchez at PG, Rasheed Brokenburough at the 2, Huey Futch/Stewart at the 3, Lamont Barnes at PF and Marc Jackson at C…that also was an amazing team, got to the elite eight, an ran into Duke to end their run.
Those FT’s saved the game for us. Just MONEY from the FT line…if we didn’t sink those no way we win that game. Corey Fisher was the freaking man from the line. I might think he is a totally erratic PG and decision maker that is careless with the ball and can wildly jack up shots…but the kids got cajones, kept taking it to the rim, and calmly sunk free throws when he needed to.
That may have been a horrendous Reggie Redding pass…but he more then made up for it the rest of the game and this whole season with steller, underrated, glue player play. Reggie Redding and Dwayne Anderson are the unsung heroes of this team…I LOVE both players. Dwayne mr. hustle, effort, defense, rebounder, makes big plays when needed…Redding mr. versatile glue guy, makes those around him better, always comes up with crunch time passes, has a great bball IQ.
Scottie Reynolds pulling half of a Tynus Edney…WHAT A FINISH!!!!! I was only able to catch the 2nd half of the game, and it was everything you could possibly expect from two top notch, Big East powers taking it to each other.
I hope UNC wins. Because they are the superior team to Oklahoma, and if Villanova is going to pray real hard and possibly advance to the championship game, I want them to get the W against the best competition there is. Bring on the Tar Heels! I don’t care if they blow us out by 15…I want the tough hurdle for Wright and co.
And just to ease all our minds Jay Wright took the time to say he has no interest in the Kentucky job. His name was among the several mentioned as a possibility after Bill Gillespie was fired Thursday.
Dante Cunningham – With his start against last night against Pitt, he tied Gary Massey (1985-89) and assistant coach Doug West (1985-89) for most career games played with 138 which he obviously will pass next week.
I actually play ball against Gary Massey (beat his team this past Wednesday actually) in a few leagues.
I wonder if Scottie will take this opportunity in the spotlight to go pro. It’s a weak draft class, he’s helping his stock (though I don’t really think he’s an NBA player) and he’s made the Final Four.
Dave T & Pete: Can’t forget the “other” Temple team that didn’t make it. You know, the team with only 1 loss (to UNLV) during the season. The team who was #1 in the country heading into the tournament. The team that appeared to be all but a certainty to at least make it to the final four. The team that got to the elite eight only to lose to Duke, predating that Marc Jackson/Pepe Sanchez team. Of course I’m talking about the 1987-88 squad of Macon, Evans, Vreeswyck, Perry, and Ramos (with Causewell off the bench).
That was a heartbreaker for me, as I was a Temple student at the time.
Again, that is how you make a double team effective!! Villanova is not as different as the Sixers, with a lack of perimeter shooting. The Sixers should definitely look at Nova’s games. GO NOVA!!!
Rob – While I appreciate the constant Sixers application your comment isn’t really accurate.
Nova doesn’t have a lack of perimeter shooting. In fact under Jay Wright it’s been a staple and consistent strength. Also if you put Corey Stokes on the Sixers right now he would easily be the Sixers best shooting guard.
Nova was just off last night and actually has been off in the 4 tournament games as well.
These numbers amplify the greatness of this run by Nova. If Nova shot their season average they that would be about 1 more three per game. In the NCAA tournament, especially at this stage of the game is significant.
Since we are looking at the Sixers and Nova:
Further more, about 32% of Nova’s shot attempts are threes and one fourth of their made baskets is a three. On the flip side only 16% of the Sixers shot attempts are threes and 11% of their made baskets are threes. Significant differences in the numbers and that speaks to the difference in half court offensive strategy.
Nova is a drive and kick, post to score (Cunningham) and kick out half court offense. The Sixers are a drive to score and get fouled half court offense with some post to score (with Thad and Miller sometimes based on match ups).
Defensively they are nothing at all a like. One team is very good defensively on the perimeter (Nova) the other is often quite horrible and unbearable to watch in that regard (Sixers).
The Sixers rely on their front court to pick up the defensive slack as well as limiting offensive possessions through turnovers.
Nova doesn’t have the size or shot blocking to play that way but their defense is best described as swarming. They have been so successful against bigger teams, especially in the Big East with a “gang & hustle” defensive and rebounding mentality. It’s great to watch. They always have 2 or 3 guys after rebounds and good technical boxing out which allows them to rebound so well being undersized (undersized kind of by choice considering Jay’s propensity to recruit a lot of higher grade perimeter players). Nova is text book in when the ball goes into a good offensive post player in terms of racking with their guards and strong double teaming.
Nova can win it all if they continue with the defense, but the will have to shoot better (at least season average) to beat their next r0und opponent (UNC hopefully) and in the Championship game if they get there.
It!s amazing how these big time high school scorers like R.Redding have bought into being great role players, Jay is a good salesman. Dannie, we have to find a way this summer to add N. Carolina!s backcourt to our Sixers, Lawson is incredible and may be the best p.g. coming out, Rubio included.
Bski: Wow, good call about the 87-88, can’t mention Temple and not that crew. Unfortunately I wasn’t following college hoops then (for me the A. Mckie/E. Jones run epitomized my youth), but even I know how storied that team was.
Bski, didn’t know you went to Temple. It’s funny, I grew up within walking distance of Nova, and my entire high school experience involved sneaking into the Pavilion gym for pickup games with the college kids, but for some reason I’ve always rooted for Temple & St. Joe’s over Nova. Always liked Villanova, but I bleed way more maroon red then navy blue and white…glad to hear I’m in good company!
Pete: I think even with all the slimey agents in the world whispering in Scottie’s ear, he wouldn’t go pro right now (although if he unleashed a 25 & 10 on UNC, maybe that would sway him). He’s just got way too much to work on with his game, like you said he is not at all NBA ready. I have a feeling he’s aware of his draft stock status, and Wright seems like a guy that would keep Scottie’s ego well in check. You make a great point though, and I think for most other players with more talent and more on the national radar, this would be a prime opportunity to leave.
Dannie: You make an awesome point with how Wright has Nova’s players REALLY boxing out. True technical boxing out is a total lost art in today’s game…that’s what makes Cunningham’s evolution as a player even more impressive. You look at how low he squats to get a low center of gravity on postups, how he’s constantly probing his defender with hands to see the best angle to turn on a drop step, and really getting his ass on a guy and using his body to shove offensive players back for rebounds…it’s a pleasure to watch. Huge testament to Wright that the majority of Nova players ALL put that kind of profficiency into their rebounding.
Hate to put you on the spot, Dannie (well, not really), but who are you pulling for Saturday, NC or Nova?????
Bski – You will have to wait for the preview post (I am still kind of trying to figure that out). I am in a can’t lose situation either way though if Nova wins I will be very happy. If UNC wins I will be very happy and potentially a few hundred dollars richer.
Since it’s an amateur sport played solely for the love of the game (yeah, right!), let’s keep the money out of college ball, shall we Dannie? Let your pure, loyal-to-your-team heart decide rather than your wallet. Feelings over Finance…..LOL!
Tidbit for Saturday’s game: Nova has not shot well pretty much the entire tournament. Reynolds, Fisher, and Stokes have not hit from being the arc the entire tournament. If they finally shoot the way everyone knows they can, combined with their defense, they’ll beat soft UNC by 15.
Dan – Let’s not get carried away. I pointed out above Nova’s poor shooting in the tournament compared to their regular season performance. Stokes is below his season average but not horrible at 35% in the tourney. Scottie and Fisher have been horrible.
But there is a reason UNC is favored in this game by 7-8 points. They look dominant right now. Right now we have a collision of two teams playing some of, if not their best basketball of the season.
Look for the preview post in a couple days.