Kyle and Russ discuss:
Audio after the jump:
Me, on March 17:
As noted previously, I was laughed at, scorned, mocked and derided for my superior take. Russ told me I was being ridiculous.
Villanova, today:
Donte DiVincenzo Will Enter the 2018 NBA Draft Process But Will Not Hire An Agent.
Official release is here: https://t.co/vY1TdMuBAG pic.twitter.com/V865zA4eEV— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) April 19, 2018
Gulp. If DiVincenzo and Omari Spellman leave, there’s a real possibility Villanova will only be a top 10 team next year. I’m not even sure how to deal with this.
I wrote at length about DiVincenzo’s draft prospects earlier this month. My guess is he comes back for another year. He would be able to play himself into a high first round pick and be a candidate for All-American.
That said, NBADraft.net currently has four Villanova players going in the first round:
That is astounding. Omari Spellman would be the perfect, er, spell for Embiid, too, seeing as though he can step outside and hit the three. Regardless, this is early days and it’s quite possible that both Spellman and DiVincenzo return for another season and National Championship, but this is quite the list.
Villanova press release:
Villanova redshirt freshman forward Omari Spellman (Cleveland, Ohio) will enter his name into the 2018 National Basketball Association Draft process but won’t hire an agent, it was announced today.
Spellman was tabbed BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and Philadelphia Big Five Rookie of the Year for his work in 2017-18. He started 39 of Villanova’s 40 games last season and averaged 10.9 points and 8.0 rebounds as the Wildcats set a school record with 36 victories on their way to the NCAA national championship. Spellman connected on .433 of his attempts from beyond the 3-point arc and led the Wildcats with 59 blocked shots.
“Omari’s intelligence and willingness to be coached allowed him to make great strides last season,” stated Wildcats head coach Jay Wright. “His development as a complete Villanova Basketball player was instrumental to our team’s success. We look forward to working together with Omari and his family in the coming weeks as they go through the process of evaluating the next step in his basketball career.”
The 2017-18 Villanova Men’s Basketball season is presented by KeyBank.
Fahcksticks!
That’s a guy from Boston being upset. I’m not from Boston, but I am upset… and also a little bit amused that Villanova has a sponsor for its press releases. They’ve run out of places to keep all the money. Pretty soon they’re going to have to build a car wash, a la Walter White, to stash all the ongoing capital campaign funds lest they want to build another bridge across Lancaster Avenue. This is so good for business.
Where was I? Ah, right, Spellman. Well that would be a donkey punch to the 2018-2019 Wildcats, who are also losing Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges to the league. If Spellman leaves, I might have to come to terms with the notion that Villanova might not win the National Championship next year. I suppose this is what it feels like to be a Duke fan.
Spellman’s game just oozes NBA. It drips NBA. If he sat on your couch, he would leave behind little NBA stains when he got up. His ability to bang down low and step out and hit the three is perfect for the current iteration of the sport. It’s kind of mind-boggling that he was Villanova’s best three-point shooter. Baby Embiid I’ve called him. With good reason.
This is a smart move for him. He can test the waters and return for a sophomore season if league signals intelligence isn’t favorable. Selfishly, I’d like for that to be the case, but if nothing else him leaving would shut up that dipshit Jalen Rose about Villanova not having any one-and-done players.
Kyle and Russ are joined by Bob (Crossed Up) and Anthony (Crossed Up/Snow the Goalie) to discuss:
Audio after the jump: Continue Reading
Why wouldn’t he?
There’s nothing left to achieve at Villanova.
He’s the Naismith Player of the Year and a two-time national champion, the Wildcats’ leading scorer this season and a leader on and off the court. He’ll follow his father Rick to the NBA and forego his senior season on the Main Line.
Brunson wrote a letter to Villanova after making his decision, which was published on ESPN:
“Dear Nova Nation,
It is with great honor and privilege that I have called Villanova University my home for the past three years. When I decided to commit to Coach Jay Wright and the basketball program, I was driven by three goals: getting my education, competing at the highest level and winning a national championship. While I pride myself on remaining disciplined and focused to achieve these goals, I have grown as a man and have established lifelong relationships with my teammates, classmates, members of the basketball staff, fellow student-athletes and the wonderful educators and administrators of this prestigious university.
After careful consideration and prayer, I have decided to enter the 2018 NBA draft and hire an agent. I want to thank my parents, family members including extended family, and close friends for their continued love and support through this process. I would also like to thank all the coaches that I have had throughout my career for everything they have done for me and my family. Lastly, I want to thank my teammates for welcoming me to a family that I am forever grateful for being able to join.
Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!
Love,
Jalen Brunson”
Kyle and Russ discuss:
Come out to our Live Show on Wednesday, April 11th @ 7PM at 6 Feet Under Gastropub in Philly.
Audio after the jump: Continue Reading
Two years ago, TruTV showed a Villanova-specific One Shining Moment. It was hard to find, but we dug it up and posted. I have no idea if they did one this year – I can’t find it – but there was one played yesterday at the parade. Here’s the best video I got of it.
Sometimes less is more, especially if you’re holding up a sign in a crowd of thousands of people at a parade.
My favorite display from today’s celebration was this one, which is simply stated:
It’s always good to keep your parade signs punchy and concise. pic.twitter.com/O0ap3VpBFr
— Dave Zeitlin (@DaveZeitlin) April 5, 2018
Let’s go word by word:
“Congratulation (sic) to Penn State men’s Basketball team for winning the 2017-18 NIT championship.
Let’s hear it for VILLANOVA MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM of Novaville, Pa “or” Novaville, Penn for winning the 2nd Final Four, Final Two – The big one national championship of 2017-18 in 3 years. Congratulation (sic) to Villanova’s champions.
Once again,
congratulation (sic) to our Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia EAGLES, we are now (can’t see word) on the Flyers, the 76ers, and the Phillies to bring the championship home.
Hell no, oops, I mean Heaven’s no, none of us are coming to the White “hell” House to meet with you, Donald Trump, and (can’t see word), we would rather go to the Partland (sic) school and support the children & teachers.
written by Townwatch Tony
4-4-2018″
Can’t argue with any of that.
Shout out Penn State, shout out Nova, shout out Eagles.
Shout out Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, Soul, Freedoms, Saint Joe’s, La Salle, Temple, Drexel, Penn, Union, Kixx, Wings, Fusion, Independence, and the Philadelphia Tapers of the 1962 ABL season.
This really is a 19 for 19 city, and that’s why we love it.
