I Bleed Blue and White

I need to start off this post with some horrific news, as this is certainly much more important than anything I have ever blogged about.  Early Saturday morning, my friend and fellow May ‘09 graduate, Eddie Didonato, was shot six times after an altercation outside of a bar in Philadelphia.  Without getting into too many specifics, Eddie is at Jefferson University Hospital in Philly in the intensive care unit trying to recover from this unimaginable act.  Doctors remain optimistic that he will survive this battle, and in an amazing show of will, Eddie has been able to squeeze some of his closest friends’ hands.  Please keep Eddie and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Obviously, the rest of this post means basically nothing compared to the news above, but please feel free to read on.  I knew yesterday was going to be an intense day for myself, with Villanova-Georgetown at noon, Jets-Chargers at 4:30, and the season premiere of 24 at 9:00.  In terms of these 3 things, it couldn’t have gone much better.  A lot of alums were back for the Cats game at the Wachovia Center, even though the weather was less than stellar.  Below are a few of my thoughts on the hoops game yesterday.

-I thought Villanova looked real good in the first half, especially with the intensity of their press and trapping the Hoyas in certain situations.  Leading by double digits at halftime doesn’t hurt, but I received a text from one of my buddies at half.  It read, “what is your ibbw halftime analysis?”  To which I responded, “looking good, but gtown will make a run.”

-The Hoyas came out of the intermission pissed off and determined to make it a game.  Greg Monroe really took over, and the Cats did not shoot the ball particularly well.  The double digit lead dissipated to about 5, and there was still roughly 13 minutes left.

-When Georgetown tied it up with 4+ minutes left, I really thought the Cats were in trouble, because nobody could stop Monroe and Nova was ice cold.  In the end, though, did you really expect Scottie Reynolds to let the Cats lose?  It’s becoming like clock-work that when Villanova needs a big play, Scottie will be there to produce. 

-Four quick additional observations: 1. Wachovia Center was packed but not all that loud in my opinion…2. Our depth is unreal, as every player on the roster logged some minutes except Russell Wooten…3. Greg Monroe = lottery pick…4. What has happened to Corey Stokes this season?

Some links below to wrap up this Big East showdown:

-Villanova-Georgetown Box Score

-AP Recap 

-Postgame Quotes

-Scottie Named Big East and Big Five Player of the Week

-Nova Notebook: The Foye-Reynolds Relationship

-Jan. 18th Updated College Basketball Rankings

-ESPN Contributor Dana O’Neil on Scottie’s Maturation On and Off the Court

Again, please take a moment to pray for Eddie Didonato, a member of the Villanova community.  Thank you.

Mike Sheridan’s latest ‘Nova Notebook focuses on Jay Wright and the lack of defense that was exhibited by the Wildcats in their win over Kutztown last Thursday. According to Wright, the graduation of Shane Clark, Dwayne Anderson and Dante Cunningham, along with the suspension of Reggie Redding, is a huge part of what went wrong on opening night.

“That’s the sign of a young team,” said Wright. “A young team looks at the scoreboard and it only has to change your intensity a little bit for there to be a drop off. You have to give (Kutztown) credit – they made shots and they pushed the ball at us. It’s just the little things with young guys. You score and they’re jogging back remembering their score and Kutztown was pushing it right at us. We need to learn that lesson.”

Wright believes that the team will improve as the year goes on however. Scottie Reynolds shared that sentiment, and believes it is up to the veteran players to show the younger guys what playing Villanova basketball is all about.

“We have to continue to stay to our principles and stay with what Coach (Wright) preaches,” said the senior guard, who’ll enter the regular season with 1,620 career points. “We can’t just get lackadaisical. We have to stay focused and that’s going to take time. We have to just keep pounding, keep pounding and never let up. When you let up a team can get hot like that – just look at the score.

“We, as upperclassmen, have to preach what Coach is saying. We have to do it ourselves and let the younger guys watch that happening on the floor so that when they come in, they can pick up where we left off.”

Wright also talks about the debuts of Mouphtaou Yarou and Taylor King in the article.

..As always, great job by Sheridan…

The latest ‘Nova Notebook by Mike Sheridan talks with Isaiah Armwood, the final freshman to be featured in the series. While he’s the last to be interviewed, Armwood may be the most ready to play Villanova Basketball judging by his comments to Sheridan.

“I just want to play defense, rebound and run the floor,” he says. “Whatever Coach (Jay) Wright, asks me to do, I’m going to do.”

Those are things that will surely get you onto the floor fast under Jay Wright, something that Dante Cunningham and Will Sheridan both managed to accomplish in their freshman years. Armwood comes into a team loaded with talent, but a team lacking a proven threat in the frontcourt. His offensive skills and athletic ability could transform him into a player to be reckoned with early on in his career, and comparison have already been drawn to Cunningham.

…I was fortunate enought os ee Armwood play on TV last year…his jumper is still a little raw (especially compared to the stroke that Cunningham last year) but the energy and athleticism really does compare to Dante in his freshman year…

…extended minutes will be very hard to come by this season but with a thin and unproven frontcourt, anybody who is willing to do the dirty work will see the court…and I’m hoping Isaiah is serious about his willingness to play that style of ball because he’s got a load of talent…

The latest ‘Nova Notebook by Mike Sheridan talks with freshman Dominic Cheek. Cheek tells the story of how baseball was his game growing up, until one day he decided to shoot some hoops on a local court, and a chance meeting changed his life.

Cheek is ready for action.

“I just started playing around on the court one day,” recalls the 6-6 Cheek. “There was a guy there, a police officer, named Officer Wyatt. He asked me if I played for an AAU team. I told him that I didn’t – I hadn’t even really heard about AAU ball. The next day he had me come to the gym and started working with me.”

From there, Cheek became a member of the Jersey City Heat, and then found himself under the tutelage of legendary coach Bob Hurley at St. Anthony’s.

“When I got to St. Anthony’s, I really didn’t know too much about basketball,” says Cheek. “But when I did get to St. Anthony’s Coach Hurley taught me how to play the game. He also taught me the history of St. Anthony’s – how we had great players like his sons, Danny and Bobby, and so many others. We played against great teams at St. Anthony’s and it made me a better player and a better person.”

Cheek credits fellow classmate Maalik Wayns with showing him how great Villanova is, and since arriving, he’s as happy ever with the decision.

…Another great article from Sheridan…I’m beginning to really look forward to Friday’s and these articles…keep it up Mike…

In the latest ‘Nova Notebook Mike Sheridan talks with Mouphtaou Yarou, who is Villanova’s most talked about freshman big man since Jason Fraser. Yarou, originally from Benin in West Africa, is about to make his 3rd change in schools in 3 years, but it is not something the big guy has shied away from.

Graduate Assistant and former ‘Nova player Frank Tchuisi has been instrumental in helping Yarou adapt to life at Villanova.

“You are going to go through times when you are homesick and miss your family,” Tchuisi says. “At those times, you learn to rely on your teammates, your coaches and your friends at Villanova. They become your family here. I think he appreciates that.”

“We are like brothers,” Yarou says simply.

The article also talks about Yarou’s first love (soccer), and the academics that his family has always stressed, and how Villanova fits in perfectly with his goals.

…Another must read…these are just a great way to get to know the new players…excellent job Mike…

In the latest ‘Nova Notebook Mike Sheridan talks with freshman Maalik Wayns who is quickly acclimating himself to life at Villanova. It’s been a long time coming for Wayns, who committed to Jay Wright and staff during his sophomore year of high school. Wayns is well known all across Philadelphia, and his competitive streak has already been likened to former ‘Nova star Kyle Lowry.

Wayns is locked and loaded for the season.

“Even in individual (drills), I want to win all the time,” says Wayns. “I could have 30 points, 40 points in a game but if I don’t win it doesn’t mean anything. That’s another reason I came to Villanova – to be a part of a winning team.”

Wayns, who roomed with Scottie Reynolds during summer workouts, is excited to get things started for real in November. Even with a crowded backcourt this year, expect Wayns to make contributions early on because of his attitude and defensive skill-set.

As always, excellent work by Mike Sheridan.

…Wayns is probably my favorite freshman because of his attitude…he just oozes ‘Nova pride to me…plus the reputation that he comes to us with is very similar to what we got with Lowry (minus the temper issues)…I have no doubt that this kid will take a lot of pressure off Scottie and Fisher in the point guard role this year…he’s that good…

While at the recent get-together for basketball alums and friends, Randy Foye sat down with Mike Sheridan for the latest ‘Nova Notebook. In the interview Foye talked a lot about life after Villanova. But there is one bond that still remains strong with Randy.

Foye shooting around at the recent workout at 'Nova.

“I’ve always said that after my Dad passed when I was six there were a lot of male figures in my life,” stated Foye. “Coach Wright is at a different level of those men who helped me out in my life. He turned me from a boy into a man. I look at Coach Wright as a father figure.”

Foye also talks about his recent trade to the Washington Wizards, as well The Randy Foye Foundation.

…Really a must read…great interview by Sheridan and a great column overall…I always feel like I’ve heard Foye’s story hundreds of times but with each new article it hits home even more…

There are going to be many noticeable differences between last year’s Final Four team and the 2009-2010 Villanova Wildcats.  One of the main things I continue to think about is the change in leadership.  Of course, there’s the captains, Scottie Reynolds and Reggie Redding, who know what it takes to win night in and night out.  I have no doubt they will be good leaders, but Redding can’t play until mid-December, so who knows how that will affect his ability to lead the team?  He’s already set a bad example for the younger players, with his suspension stemming from possession of marijuana charges.  Scottie can lead, but he doesn’t seem like the most vocal.  As a result, his leadership comes from the plays he makes, physically showing his teammates how to do certain things.  Nothing wrong with that, but we can’t underestimate how important the leadership of the 4 seniors from last year’s team. 

In essence, I truly believe someone needs to step into the spotlight and contribute to guiding this team.  Personally, I think this someone should be Antonio Pena.  The big guy has lots of potential, which we’ve seen at times, but more consistency from Pena will be crucial.  He’s been in big games, gone up against the best players in the country, but now it’s time for him to take over.  There are no returning big men on this team (who have seen meaningful action), except for Antonio.

As a result, he needs to guide forwards Taylor King, Maurice Sutton, and freshman Mouphtaou Yarou.  They haven’t experienced Big East basketball like Pena has, which means someone needs to teach them.  The coaches can give it a shot, but it becomes much more surreal when it comes from a player who has been through it.  The natural leaders are going to be Reynolds and Redding, both guards, but the team needs at least one more leader, preferably a big guy.  I know the recent ‘Nova Notebook’ by Mike Sheridan focuses on Big ‘Tone playing a bigger role this year, but there’s a difference between saying it and actually doing it.  If he does it, his ability and guidance of the younger players could be a key cog in Villanova’s success this year.

Do you think Pena needs to step up this year?

A couple of interesting items to point out from the last week or so. First, the Nova Notebook, written by Villanova’s director of media relations Mike Sheridan, has returned with a piece on Dante Cunningham. The entry discusses Cunningham’s excitement in working out for NBA scouts, but also his continuing role in helping out the younger Villanova basketball players.

Next, the field for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Tipoff, a tournament to be held in Puerto Rico next season, has been announced.  The tipoff takes place Novemeber 19th-November 22nd, and the 8 teams in this mini-tournament include Boston University, Dayton, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas State, Ole Miss and Villanova.

Lastly, with the departure of Patrick Chambers to Boston University, there is a coaching vacancy on the Villanova staff.  It looks like University of New Mexico assistant coach Chris Walker, a former basketball player at Nova, is a leading candidate. He interviewed for the position this past Monday, but declined to comment if he is actually considering the opening.

These mini-tournaments early in the year have become a staple on Villanova’s schedule.  While the teams in the field may not seem all that impressive, these games are very important, as you never know which team will end up having a great year.  Nonconference wins, such as these, provide big opportunities early in the season to build the foundation for your NCAA tournament resume.

Also, if you notice, Boston U. is in this field.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to see Chambers vs. Villanova?  In terms of the coaching vacancy, I don’t know much about Chris Walker, but from what I read in the posted article, it sounds like he is a great recruiter, which can never hurt.  I know Jay will pick a solid guy to fill the Chambers vacancy.