Jan. 8, 2019 (1) Big East Game

[MullinMayhem]

Nova beat us with 2 players. Booth and Paschall. Booth was 6-11 from 3 with several of those even with good defense. He played possibly the best game he will play all year against us. When we put everything together, we were handily beating Nova. When we started missing 3's and refused to drive, they came back. We had leads of 10 or more after 3 separate runs. Nova answered each one, because we didn't adjust. Just kept chucking. We barely got any FT's and Nova got many more than us because they drove. LJ was hurt and taken out for a few minutes which hurt us and obviously settling for terrible shots did us in...but man that refusal to call obvious goaltending on Nova while we were up 9 was followed by a Booth 3 pointer because of course. That was a 5 pt swing. That was the turning point IMO and the momentum was back with Nova for good. We just don't know how to play with targets on our back or with a ranking. We only know how to sneak up on people. Credit Nova, they drove when their shots didn't fall and we kept chucking.

Just tough to lose by 5 and have a 5 pt swing after that missed goaltend. Same refs as SHU mind you...except they didn't cost us the game obviously.

[scoscox]

Booth and Paschall beat you, but nova got nice games from gillespie, bey, quinerly, samuels, and swider was solid. Nova's bench is starting to round into shape. You guys needed more from heron and clark in this game.

[SJUBBALL]

Booth and Paschall beat you, but nova got nice games from gillespie, bey, quinerly, samuels, and swider was solid. Nova's bench is starting to round into shape. You guys needed more from heron and clark in this game.

Agreed. Clark is a sharpshooter when we play home games but that’s it.

As for Heron, still waiting for him to live up to the hype. Been very disappointed so far

[adoraz]

Tough loss, but expected. Nice playing by Nova. Those two 3s towards the end (I think by Booth) were the turning point. Can't do anything about that.

[ChestRockwell85]

Nova beat us with 2 players. Booth and Paschall. Booth was 6-11 from 3 with several of those even with good defense. He played possibly the best game he will play all year against us. When we put everything together, we were handily beating Nova. When we started missing 3's and refused to drive, they came back. We had leads of 10 or more after 3 separate runs. Nova answered each one, because we didn't adjust. Just kept chucking. We barely got any FT's and Nova got many more than us because they drove. LJ was hurt and taken out for a few minutes which hurt us and obviously settling for terrible shots did us in...but man that refusal to call obvious goaltending on Nova while we were up 9 was followed by a Booth 3 pointer because of course. That was a 5 pt swing. That was the turning point IMO and the momentum was back with Nova for good. We just don't know how to play with targets on our back or with a ranking. We only know how to sneak up on people. Credit Nova, they drove when their shots didn't fall and we kept chucking.

Just tough to lose by 5 and have a 5 pt swing after that missed goaltend. Same refs as SHU mind you...except they didn't cost us the game obviously.

I won't argue that was a bad call. I even posted on the Villanova board that was a bad call, but other than that, it seemed pretty even to me. The bottom line though is with college basketball, there is always going to be a bad call or a bad non-call here and there that you can argue hurt you. Even when we beat UNC in the national championship, UNC fans were blaming the refs. They even had a petition or something ridiculous going for the NCAA to investigate. Regardless, I agree it was a bad call.

Also, somebody asked about Villanova's board, it is VUSports.com. Be warned though, the pay board is really very good and there are several members, not saying somebody who is not a Villanova fan should join the pay board, but even most Villanova fans stay clear of the free board since it is run mostly by idiots who are having a contest who can be a bigger douche on a message board. It's kind of sad actually.

[MullinMayhem]

We simply weren't ready to take the next step as a ranked team beating another very good team on the road. Heron has been very disappointing, I believe only 8 pts. This is a kid who should average at least 15-17 and has the ability to score 20+ pts regularly. He is not confident at all going to the paint and rarely finishes. Good shooter, but we need him to drive and finish. Simon gets at least 4-5 shots right at the rim each game that he misses. In the closing seconds, right at the rim and airballs it. We missed probably 8 or 9 layups. Just can't do that especially against Nova at home. Had em on the ropes several times but they didn't quit or get down on themselves.

Even when up 20-7 I was happy but anticipating their run you knew was coming. They made lots of contested 3's which you can't do anything about. Booth was just automatic regardless of defense last night. We showed we have more talent than Nova on paper, but their coaching is better and they have a real bench. We have 1 bench player who can legitimately play significant Big East minutes and that's Greg Williams. He did not play. Trimble hit a huge 3 but he's not a Big East level talent IMO. This sets up a must win against DePaul and pressure will now be on us at MSG to knock out Nova. Hopefully they're ranked by then so we can add that to our resume. Under Lavin when we got ranked, we lost it right away and the same just happened this year. Not complaining because top 25 is a true feat...but would be nice to be in the sun nationally for more than 1 day.

[REDMEN1415]

Tough loss, but expected. Nice playing by Nova. Those two 3s towards the end (I think by Booth) were the turning point. Can't do anything about that.

Sure there is, get up in his grill and stick him like glue, but no did.