I Bleed Blue and White

First off, I want to thank Chris for having me on the blog full-time now.  He’s obviously done a great job and I’m happy to be a part of this.  It’s not about me, though, rather it’s about you the fans.  I just want to contribute to what Chris, Jamie, and Mark have already established here.

Anyways, it still hasn’t set in that the Villanova basketball season is over.  It was certainly an awesome run and something we all will never forget.  Sure, we all wanted more, but making the Final Four is such a great accomplishment.  Making the Final Four this year does have one downside and that is the loss of associate head coach Pat Chambers, which was mentioned in a previous post.  Our run to the Final Four really propelled Chambers to the top of the list for head coaching vacancies.  What I will remember most about Chambers is his drive and determination.  It seemed like each and every game, I would look over and see Chambers on the ground, screaming and willing the players to victory.  He doesn’t get much attention with Jay Wright around, but he definitely had a lot to do with where the program is today.

A few links:

• Patrick Chambers named Head Coach at Boston University — Press Release (also at this site is the transcript and video of the press conference)

• Memories from the tournament — One Shining Moment

As I drove back to Villanova today I felt the pain. With each mile that passed, I had to come to the realization that Villanova basketball is over for this year. And for me, it was my last year as a Villanova student (unless I decide to come back for graduate school at some point). And then I read an article where Dante Cunningham shared his feelings. And I felt even more pain. I’m really going to miss watching him play. I’m just in awe that he, along with the 3 other seniors are leaving.

• I thought I was upset the season was over. This puts it in perspective…Philadelphia Daily News (Bob Cooney)
• I don’t think any of us will ever forget this team, and what they accomplished…Philadelphia Daily News (Dick Jerardi)
• We’ve been losing assistants left and right lately, but we will really miss Pat Chambers…Philadelphia Inquirer (Mike Jensen)
• We’ve still got some wrapping up to do, but it isn’t too early to think about next year. And because of our ridiculously deep pool of guards, we might be a Top 5 team…Sports Illustrated
• 3 of our recruits were named High School All-Americans…Parade Magazine

Update: It’s now official according to SI’s Seth Davis. The school has a press conference planned later this week to announce the news.

…Good for Pat…it’s tough to lose an assistant coach, especially one as good as Chambers, but you can’t help but be happy for him…Congrats Coach!…

Original: According to VUHoops, Villanova assistant coach Pat Chambers is being looked at to fill the head coaching position at Boston University. Chambers met with BU officials while ‘Nova was in Boston for the NCAA Regional Finals last week.

Tennessee assistant Tony Jones and Rick Pitino’s son Richard (now an assistant at Louisville) have also been mentioned as candidates.

Good vibe around campus today. I hit up the bookstore to snag some Final Four gear. Every conversation you hear revolves around this coming weekend. The feeling is contagious. I found myself talking to anyone who would engage with me. Good times.

Still trying to find one more ticket (for Liz) to the Final Four this weekend. Having a little more luck on some leads today, but the $500 prices aren’t exactly warming my bones. Here’s some reading for you.

• Frank Tchuisi doesn’t get the love from the press, but he has the respect and admiration of everyone else…Philadelphia Daily News (Mike Kern)
• Here’s a nice reminder of why we hate St. Joe’s. They have the worst little-brother complex I’ve ever seen…Philadelphia Inquirer (John Gonzalez)
• Jay Wright is the youngest and best looking of the Final Four coaches. And that’s why Roy Williams likes being around him. Ummmm?…Chicago Tribune
• Why can ‘Nova win it all? Because they’ve proved the doubters wrong before…Detroit Free Press
• Jay Wright is much more than just a sharp dresser…Comcast SportsNet
• Even the ‘Nova professors are feeling the madness…Philadelphia Inquirer (Derrick Nunnally)
• The Radnor Police are going over-abuse their power even more than normal this weekend…Philadelphia Inquirer (Mari. A Schaefer)
• Some random things about this weekend…Philadelphia Inquirer (Joe Juliano)
• The team hasn’t forgotten last year’s loss to Kansas in Detroit, and they don’t want to lose there again…Philadelphia Inquirer (Joe Juliano)
• Don’t mess with Assistant Coach Pat Chambers, the guy is an pitbull…Philadelphia Daily News (Dick Jerardi)
• Speedy Claxton isn’t surprised by Wright’s success…Philadelphia Daily News (Bernard Fernandez)

…Thanks to Brian for most of these…longest links post ever…