Final Four - Villanova vs Oklahoma game thread

[admin]

Lots of Nova and Big East love from the national media. I really like things like this:

Villanova advanced to the championship game of the NCAA men's basketball tournament with a 95-51 blowout win over Oklahoma. However, it could have been even worse if not for a small moment of sportsmanship by Villanova.

With the Wildcats up by 44 in the closing minute, Villanova's Phil Booth stole the ball and had a chance to put an exclamation point on the win. Instead of driving for an easy dunk, he looked toward the sideline where coach Jay Wright was yelling for him to stop and hold the ball.

It was a small gesture made by a player and a coach to not run up the score. However, it also comes on the heels of the incident between Oregon and Duke in which Mike Krzyzewski lectured an Oregon player for shooting a meaningless long-distance 3-pointer at the end of their win over Duke.

http://www.businessinsider.com/villanov ... ?r=UK&IR=T

[scoscox]

Lots of Nova and Big East love from the national media. I really like things like this:

Villanova advanced to the championship game of the NCAA men's basketball tournament with a 95-51 blowout win over Oklahoma. However, it could have been even worse if not for a small moment of sportsmanship by Villanova.

With the Wildcats up by 44 in the closing minute, Villanova's Phil Booth stole the ball and had a chance to put an exclamation point on the win. Instead of driving for an easy dunk, he looked toward the sideline where coach Jay Wright was yelling for him to stop and hold the ball.

It was a small gesture made by a player and a coach to not run up the score. However, it also comes on the heels of the incident between Oregon and Duke in which Mike Krzyzewski lectured an Oregon player for shooting a meaningless long-distance 3-pointer at the end of their win over Duke.

http://www.businessinsider.com/villanov ... ?r=UK&IR=T

Well, they were up 44 and had the starters in until almost the final whistle, so I wouldn't say they were exactly merciful. Not that I was offended at all

[Westbrook#36]

Well, they were up 44 and had the starters in until almost the final whistle, so I wouldn't say they were exactly merciful. Not that I was offended at all

You're right, I'm sure JP would've handled that Phil Booth steal situation in a more merciful way.

[stever20]

Lots of Nova and Big East love from the national media. I really like things like this:

Villanova advanced to the championship game of the NCAA men's basketball tournament with a 95-51 blowout win over Oklahoma. However, it could have been even worse if not for a small moment of sportsmanship by Villanova.

With the Wildcats up by 44 in the closing minute, Villanova's Phil Booth stole the ball and had a chance to put an exclamation point on the win. Instead of driving for an easy dunk, he looked toward the sideline where coach Jay Wright was yelling for him to stop and hold the ball.

It was a small gesture made by a player and a coach to not run up the score. However, it also comes on the heels of the incident between Oregon and Duke in which Mike Krzyzewski lectured an Oregon player for shooting a meaningless long-distance 3-pointer at the end of their win over Duke.

http://www.businessinsider.com/villanov ... ?r=UK&IR=T

Well, they were up 44 and had the starters in until almost the final whistle, so I wouldn't say they were exactly merciful. Not that I was offended at all

not really. They had the starters out with 3 minutes to go(which is almost unheard of).

Also about Wright- the one play that I think sealed the deal for good- right after Hart made that incredible fade away shot there was that tv timeout. He then called that long bomb and it converted for the basket with the foul. That totally took the heart away from Oklahoma. 5 minutes later it was 79-41.

[sju88grad]

Based on what I saw yesterday, I think Villanova has a great shot tomorrow night. And most of the country will be behind Nova. So many people are outraged by the fact that UNC hasn't been punished for their rampant cheating. Let's hope Nova wins for their fans, alumni, the Big East and karma!!

[scoscox]

Well, they were up 44 and had the starters in until almost the final whistle, so I wouldn't say they were exactly merciful. Not that I was offended at all

You're right, I'm sure JP would've handled that Phil Booth steal situation in a more merciful way.

Just from a basketball perspective, he was up 44, kept his starters in longer than he needed to by his own admission, it's not like it was a difficult courtesy to extend at that point. Personally, I don't really see any problem with keeping starters in and continuing to play hard no matter the margin, but to those who do, I can't see how that would be much of a consolation.

Heck, I'm happy Nova won and kicked the pants off them. Pretty satisfying.

[scoscox]

Based on what I saw yesterday, I think Villanova has a great shot tomorrow night. And most of the country will be behind Nova. So many people are outraged by the fact that UNC hasn't been punished for their rampant cheating. Let's hope Nova wins for their fans, alumni, the Big East and karma!!

It will be a tough game. UNC I think poses a lot of challenges in the same way that we did this year. So many frontcourt guys to throw at Nova and capable guards to make them pay they may be able to wear them down. I think that's the worst kind of match-up for Nova, a team that dominates through the paint. Hopefully they pull it out cause the love fest for UNC is killing me.

[mel ott]

Hell, win the next game. Also, perhaps if they lost it comes back to them anyway when UNC has to forfeit their championship. Let't take the what ifs out of it and Nova just continues to play like they have-win it all!

[Westbrook#36]

Well, they were up 44 and had the starters in until almost the final whistle, so I wouldn't say they were exactly merciful. Not that I was offended at all

You're right, I'm sure JP would've handled that Phil Booth steal situation in a more merciful way.

Just from a basketball perspective, he was up 44, kept his starters in longer than he needed to by his own admission, it's not like it was a difficult courtesy to extend at that point. Personally, I don't really see any problem with keeping starters in and continuing to play hard no matter the margin, but to those who do, I can't see how that would be much of a consolation.

Heck, I'm happy Nova won and kicked the pants off them. Pretty satisfying.

I'm in a great mood and not really looking to start anything, but what were we suppose to do? Stop playing hard? The walk-ons played the final almost 3 minutes, we weren't out there showboating throwing lobs, making no look passes trying to show up the Sooners and make the sports center top ten highlights. Plus I really don't think an Xavier fan should be pointing their finger at anyone else about being "merciful" at the end of sure wins, because Macura would've without question have dunked that Phil Booth steal and then showboated afterwards, you know it.

[Burrito]

Congrats Villanova. Keep up the intensity for one more game. Before losing to NC State last year, the Wildcats had beaten Lafayette the previous game by 41 points. (93-52)