I Bleed Blue and White

Thought I’d update anyone that’s interested in the status of the ‘Nova players in the NBA.

• After a strong 3 game start Randy Foye, and the Wizards for that matter, have cooled off considerably.  In his last 5 games Foye has only 4 assists.  He’s had point totals of 7, 6, 16, and 16.  He sprained his ankle against the Heat Tuesday night and did not return.  The Wizards have lost all 5.
• Kyle Lowry remains a player off the bench for the surprisingly strong Rockets considering their situation.  He gets about 25 minutes a game, and playing an efficient game as a back seat option to Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry.  In his last 4 he’s averaged 8 pts, 5 asts, and 3 rebs.  He also had 4 blocks against the Thunder.
• Dante Cunningham, as you know if you’ve seen the recent posts, got his first NBA game time action.  He scored 6 pts in 6 minutes against the Timberwolves on 3-4 shooting.  No other box stats.
• Tim Thomas is still in Limbo.

Football coach Andy Talley came out and defended starting QB Chris Whitney just two days after he pulled him in favor of 5th year senior Antwon Young. Talley stated that Whitney “wasn’t happy” about being pulled (ya think?) but that he will be the starter this weekend against Northeastern. So for now, no controversy.

But if Whitney struggles this weekend, and Young (who was replaced by Whitney as the starter last year against Penn, ironically) does well leading the team, what is next? I find it unusual that the #2 team in the country has this issue, but it is what it is. Hopefully Whitney rebounds and this can all end. On to some morning reading…

• Speaking of the Quakers, at least one man thinks that Penn doesn’t need Villanova in football. Usually you want to play the best competition, but not those Ivy Leaguers! Keep on striving boys!
• Tim Thomas had surgery on his right knee to repair torn cartilage. No word on how long he’ll be out.
• Tweeted this earlier, but in case you aren’t on Twitter the CAA announced that the October 3rd football game between William & Mary and Villanova will be broadcast nationally on VERSUS, at 3:30 p.m. It will be the first time a CAA regular season game has been broadcast nationally. Now I won’t have to watch us on crappy backdoor internet links, at least for one week.
• Time may be running out for the injury-prone Brian Westbrook in Philadelphia. As a Giants fan, let me extend a thank you to the Eagles’ front office.

Just 2 weeks after being bought out by the Chicago Bulls, former Wildcat Tim Thomas is on the verge of signing a contract with the Dallas Mavericks.

Thomas would join the Mavericks in a reserve role, but would add some much needed frontcourt depth and some outside shooting for a team that is looking to make a deep playoff run next year.

…Good move for both sides…Thomas will definitely help on the outside, and having Jason Kidd setting you up isn’t the worst scenario to have if you’re Tim…

In some more NBA news, ex-Nova star Tim Thomas was bought out by the Chicago Bulls today, effectively making the veteran a free agent.

Thomas had 1 year left worth nearly 6.5 million on his contract.

…Thomas is a veteran who will get another contract, no doubt about that…some team will be looking for a veteran big man who has an outside game…

Lowry has a fresh start in Houston.

I’m not the biggest NBA fan around, but I do follow the New York Knicks and being that yesterday was the NBA Trade Deadline (and the Knicks definitely needed to make some moves) I was following the action. Yesterday, two former Wildcat stars were shipped to new homes.

Former PG Kyle Lowry was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a 3 team deal. Lowry was stuck behind Mike Conley in Memphis, so the move to Houston is definitely an upgrade for Lowry, and in the Rockets opinion, an upgrade for them as well.

“We feel like we got better today, upgrading that position was a goal going into the deadline,” Morey said. “We feel like we accomplished it. Kyle is going to be a guy the town really loves. He’s a really tough competitor, up-tempo player, a winner. Jay Wright at Villanova thinks he’s the smartest point guard he ever had. He is someone we’ve had our eyes on really since the draft.”

That’s very high praise for Lowry, who had seemingly fallen out of favor in Memphis. The other Wildcat to be traded was Tim Thomas, who the Knicks sent to the Bulls with 2 other players for SG Larry Hughes. Thomas came to the Knicks earlier this year via trade, and found some success in Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense. The Knicks were seeking guard help, while the Bulls were looking to shed Hughes’ 13 million dollar salary for next year.

…I’m very happy for Lowry, I never really thought he got a fair shot in Memphis, as management there just fell in love with Conley and basically gave him the keys…as for Thomas, I’m not really sure what his new role in Chicago will be…but he’s been moving around a lot and seems to be a good role player for every team he’s on…