Nova game thread

[skyhops]

Don’t forget that Scruggs scored 8 points in the last minute when they were giving us layups and we didn’t realize that we should be shooting three’s. We had zero fast break points, which shows you how slow we play now. There is no reason why we can’t at least get a couple fast break points especially against nova. Of course the big slow lineup did not help much.

[joeabe]

Villanova has eight players currently on NBA rosters.....Arcidiacano Bulls, Bridges Suns, Brunson Mavs, Di Vincenso Bucs, Hart Pels, Lowry Raptors, Paschall Warriors, Spellman Wolves. You all know how many X players are in the NBA...I believe one. Nova's current roster has at least 3 maybe 4 NBA types. Xavier has no NBA types! This is not a hit on X rather an observation....Is it fair to expect our guys to beat NOVA on a consistent basis? How can we expect our coach to out coach Wright? Maybe once in a while we sneak up and steal a W but not consistently. I believe we will remain a middle of the road team in the Big East. The Big East has become a serious , serious conference and I believe we have not kept pace with talent nor coaching hires. IMHO our coach is young and learning in a tough Big East. Unlike our promotion of bench coach's from the past who got their feet wet in inferior conferences with success. I pray given time TS with unbounding energy will right this ship with recruits up to the task of the rugged Big East. Wonder if we have the patience??

[skyhops]

Forget Nova, they have our number. Our main concern should be our rapid decent in the big East the two years. Besides Jones I’m seeing no improvement and I don’t see that changing when Steele gets “his players”, which is what is allegedly what he thinks. Three league loses so far at home and an impeding NIT appearance. How we looking? Not good.

[thecoach]

Hops what is your take on whether Naji and Scruggs come back next year?

[longliveskip]

Forget Nova, they have our number. Our main concern should be our rapid decent in the big East the two years. Besides Jones I’m seeing no improvement and I don’t see that changing when Steele gets “his players”, which is what is allegedly what he thinks. Three league loses so far at home and an impeding NIT appearance. How we looking? Not good.

not sure why you think NIT? if tourney started today we are IN.

everyone on here seems to have all the answers as to what needs to be done to so-called "fix" this program. i'm not sure why Steele doesn't just come on here after games so he can get all his answers. everyone here knows what to do #afterthefact. why can't Steele just come on here, make all the changes suggested, then all would be right with the program???

i'll see if i can get him to at least read a few posts for starters. that might help.

[joeabe]

Coach, what leads you to believe Steele will not improve the talent with his current recruiting class and beyond? I myself am not overly impressed with our current freshmen. Two of which we have not seen?? It seems the recruiting services are impressed with the 3 young men coming in next season. Next season could be rougher than the past two in my opinion as far a wins and losses. Our AD must have given TS a long contract expecting the worse in the short haul??

[Anti-Homer]

Villanova has eight players currently on NBA rosters.....Arcidiacano Bulls, Bridges Suns, Brunson Mavs, Di Vincenso Bucs, Hart Pels, Lowry Raptors, Paschall Warriors, Spellman Wolves. You all know how many X players are in the NBA...I believe one. Nova's current roster has at least 3 maybe 4 NBA types. Xavier has no NBA types! This is not a hit on X rather an observation....Is it fair to expect our guys to beat NOVA on a consistent basis? How can we expect our coach to out coach Wright? Maybe once in a while we sneak up and steal a W but not consistently. I believe we will remain a middle of the road team in the Big East. The Big East has become a serious , serious conference and I believe we have not kept pace with talent nor coaching hires. IMHO our coach is young and learning in a tough Big East. Unlike our promotion of bench coach's from the past who got their feet wet in inferior conferences with success. I pray given time TS with unbounding energy will right this ship with recruits up to the task of the rugged Big East. Wonder if we have the patience??

Is it fair to expect our guys to beat NOVA on a consistent basis?

Who is expecting that? Hell, I'll take 3 wins out of 10. I'll say this: At least Steele's teams don't pee down their legs 3 minutes into the game, as Mack's teams did.

Also, regarding your point about schools with players in the NBA who have beaten Nova as much as anyone in this league, how many players do Butler and SH have in the league? I think Butler has two, and SH...I don't think any, but I'm no expert on the NBA. X has one, and about 5-6 in the G league. Technically, they have two now, at least for the time being, as JP signed a 10 day contract. Hopefully, he sticks.

Most 3-4 year 4 stars are better than the majority of top thirty 5 star players in cbb. Look at Spellman for example. He was a good college player, but not dominating. He was picked due to his potential. Bluiett and Macura were better players as seniors than Sumner was as a sophomore. I get your point, but Butler has no NBA players currently, and a roster full of three stars, yet they blew Nova out at home, and lost by 3 at Nova.

Lastly, Nova doesn't get high five stars typically, but generally high four stars. Developing under Wright has a lot to do with them getting into the NBA.

[Anti-Homer]

Forget Nova, they have our number. Our main concern should be our rapid decent in the big East the two years. Besides Jones I’m seeing no improvement and I don’t see that changing when Steele gets “his players”, which is what is allegedly what he thinks. Three league loses so far at home and an impeding NIT appearance. How we looking? Not good.

not sure why you think NIT? if tourney started today we are IN. Agreed.

everyone on here seems to have all the answers as to what needs to be done to so-called "fix" this program. i'm not sure why Steele doesn't just come on here after games so he can get all his answers. everyone here knows what to do #afterthefact. why can't Steele just come on here, make all the changes suggested, then all would be right with the program??? Relax. It's an opinion forum. I remember three years ago, when I posted a rare criticism of Mack, and got lit up on this board. Coincidentally, soon after, the Steelers beat the Bengals (a game CM attended) in the playoffs, and he lit the refs up on social media. To my knowledge, he never was an NFL referee. I don't recall one person bringing it, including myself.

i'll see if i can get him to at least read a few posts for starters. that might help.

[Anti-Homer]

This team needs to put Q back at PG, and Scruggs at the 2. No one is a better facilitator, and the offense runs much smoother. It also allows Scruggs to have more plays run for him in his natural position. If Q struggles, or clanks several threes, he can obviously be pulled.

[joeabe]

Villanova has eight players currently on NBA rosters.....Arcidiacano Bulls, Bridges Suns, Brunson Mavs, Di Vincenso Bucs, Hart Pels, Lowry Raptors, Paschall Warriors, Spellman Wolves. You all know how many X players are in the NBA...I believe one. Nova's current roster has at least 3 maybe 4 NBA types. Xavier has no NBA types! This is not a hit on X rather an observation....Is it fair to expect our guys to beat NOVA on a consistent basis? How can we expect our coach to out coach Wright? Maybe once in a while we sneak up and steal a W but not consistently. I believe we will remain a middle of the road team in the Big East. The Big East has become a serious , serious conference and I believe we have not kept pace with talent nor coaching hires. IMHO our coach is young and learning in a tough Big East. Unlike our promotion of bench coach's from the past who got their feet wet in inferior conferences with success. I pray given time TS with unbounding energy will right this ship with recruits up to the task of the rugged Big East. Wonder if we have the patience??

Is it fair to expect our guys to beat NOVA on a consistent basis?

Who is expecting that? Hell, I'll take 3 wins out of 10. I'll say this: At least Steele's teams don't pee down their legs 3 minutes into the game, as Mack's teams did.

Also, regarding your point about schools with players in the NBA who have beaten Nova as much as anyone in this league, how many players do Butler and SH have in the league? I think Butler has two, and SH...I don't think any, but I'm no expert on the NBA. X has one, and about 5-6 in the G league. Technically, they have two now, at least for the time being, as JP signed a 10 day contract. Hopefully, he sticks.

Most 3-4 year 4 stars are better than the majority of top thirty 5 star players in cbb. Look at Spellman for example. He was a good college player, but not dominating. He was picked due to his potential. Bluiett and Macura were better players as seniors than Sumner was as a sophomore. I get your point, but Butler has no NBA players currently, and a roster full of three stars, yet they blew Nova out at home, and lost by 3 at Nova.

Lastly, Nova doesn't get high five stars typically, but generally high four stars. Developing under Wright has a lot to do with them getting into the NBA.

I totally agree with your last sentence. So, do you think our players are as talented as Nova's only need to be coached up? Or, we have not enough players with sufficient talent? Butler players can put the ball in the basket on a regular basis. Our guys for what ever reason have issues scoring,