I Bleed Blue and White

Game recap and box score if you missed the game.

Sometimes, you just have to tip your hat and admit that the other team is just better. Some people will look at this game and be upset and get mad, but in reality North Carolina is a great program, with great players, and a phenomenal coach. Villanova is getting better in all those categories every day, but last night the Tar Heels were just better.

Be proud. Stand tall.

Ty Lawson completely lived up to the hype surrounding him. His 22 points and 8 assists felt like a lot more, and he was a nuisance to ‘Nova all evening. Wayne Ellington seemingly could not miss a shot, and finished 5-7 from downtown. His game was a harsh reminder of what the Philly product could have meant for Villanova.

Danny Green made the shots when he was left open, and Tyler Hansbrough got to the line often enough to finish with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

I could dissect this game on Villanova’s end and tell you who played bad and who played well, but it really came down to the fact that once again in the Tournament, ‘Nova should poorly from the outside, and they did not play defense and did not rebound well. The latter two especially have been instrumental in their tournament run and their season as a whole. It failed them last night and the Heels took full advantage of it.

Scottie Reynolds had a team-high 17 points, but it was on an awful 6-18 shooting, including a porous 3-11 from behind the arc. I’m not a Reynolds basher at all, but when it’s not your night shooting the ball, you need to find other ways to help the team win. There have been nights this season where Reynolds has done just that, but not in this game.

His backcourt mate Corey Fisher did a great job getting into the lane, but the ball wouldn’t fall for him. And on more than one occasion the refs blatantly refused to call a foul, even as Fisher was getting mugged. His 5-19 effort looks bad on paper, but I liked his initiative on offense. Sometimes the ball doesn’t drop.

Reggie Redding seemed to be the only Wildcat to find some consistent offense, including from the outside, yet he only played 29 minutes and was never in foul trouble. If he is the team’s smartest player (I believe that) and one of their best playmakers (I also support that), Jay Wright’s reluctance to play him more was certainly a head-scratcher.

Dante Cunningham started off well, but North Carolina did a good job taking him out of the game. Dwayne Anderson’s shots wouldn’t fall if the hoop was a foot wider. Again, just that kind of night.

But let’s not forget what this team did. How many of you expected a Final Four appearance at the beginning of the year? Probably just the team did, and they met their goals.

As a fellow senior with the 4 guys on the team, I was crushed last night after the loss. But I don’t want to sulk about the loss. This team was amazing, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. Dante Cunningham has turned himself into a possible 1st round draft pick. Shane Clark fought through an injury-riddled career to become one of my favorite players. Dwayne Anderson might be the best story this school will ever have. And Frank Tchuisi never stopped giving all he could for his team and his school.

So don’t feel bad and cry over this loss. This team accomplished so much more, and they deserve to be celebrated. I’m as proud to be a Villanova fan as I ever have. These guys have continued to raise the bar for the program, and leave as the best senior class Villanova has ever had. Congrats boys!