Jack Russell

Joined: Dec 20, 2023

U'Conn's Cam Spencer & Stephon Castle embracing one another following their nat'l title win over Purdue. Castle; a 6-foot 6-inch guard with the NBA-body and elite athleticism, is destined for the league (/NBA). Meanwhile, Spencer is the epitome of a basketball player; a heady player with exceptional feel, a nose for the ball, and the ability to impact the game at both ends in many ways.

NCAA Tournament 2024: U’Conn pummels Purdue to earn repeat national titles

Number 11 in white-&-blue, Tyler Kolek, gets to the cup with the gangly Frenchman (/Diarra) draped all over him. Marquette's lefty point-guard was anAll Big East selection this year and a torn oblique in February didn't help him much from an outside-shooting standpoint. Hesitant to pull the trigger from-3 against NC State's matchup-zone, Kolek worked hard for his 17 points; but his and his team's struggles from-3 didn't allow them to score as well as they would've liked to on all 3 levels.

NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness Upset-Alert: NC State Wolfpack Wallops Marquette Golden Eagles in Sweet 16

Number 30 in white-&-red, DJ Burns, is built like a house; or better yet a moose. The Wolfpack's 6-foot 9-inch 275-pound power-forward is blessed with the frame and game of a younger Eric Dixon. From below-the-rim, Burns (still) has an above-the-rim type of presence; think Al Horford with better touch, slower feet and (the same) good-feel as a passer.

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Preview: (2) Marquette vs. (11) NC State in Big East, ACC Showdown

Multiple-time Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner, is one of the nation's best rim-protectors. Using his height (7'1") , discipline, and attention-to-detail, Ryan alters, discourages, and blocks more shots in-total than any player in the nation; besides Purdue's Zach Edey.

Big East Basketball: UConn, Marquette, & Creighton all secure Sweet 16 spots

Since Wright's retirement, 'Nova Nation has found itself yearning for old times to return to them. 2 years ago, 'Nova was dancin' and on its way to the Final Four. Now, Kyle Neptune has led the 'Cats to consecutive sub-20 win seasons alongside zero trips to the NCAA March Madness Tournament. We know you love hittin' the links in Philly's GAP-section, Jay, but the 'Cats may need you to come outta retirement.

VCU Rams knocks Villanova Wildcats out of NIT Tournament

The field of 68 is set and the Big East Conference will be sending just 3 teams. Grossly underrepresented, the Big East continues to attract less attention than they deserve.

NCAA March Madness Mayhem: CBS' Selection Sunday Yields Big East Bombshell As Red Storm, Friars, & Pirates left out

Villanova v Marquette: Starting in his VCU days, Marquette's (current) head-coach, Shaka Smart, has been one of Division 1's best coaches for 15 years. While a lot of coaches are credited with greatness thanks to their (even) greater recruits and/or their school's greater reputation, Shaka is a thoroughbred; a truly great coach who's gotten the job done at 3 separate schools. Moreover, Smart doesn't just know the X's & O's. He knows how to deploy them.

Big East Basketball Tournament: Smart bursts Neptune’s Bubble as Marquette Clips Villanova

DePaul v Villanova: The 'Cats' fifth-year guard, Justin Moore, has been to hell & back thanks to injuries. Undeterred, Moore is still the two-way leader he always has been; even if he's lost some bounce on the offensive end. Most importantly, Moore is cut from the same cloth that Wright, Gillespie, Brunson, Lowry, Arch, and others (also) are. What might that be? The dude is a competitor.

Big East Conf. Tournament @ Madison Square Garden: Villanova Wildcats Survive Scare from DePaul Blue Demons

Villanova's transfer-player from the University of Maryland, Hakim Hart, came to Philly with high hopes for this season. While there's still time, Hart hasn't been the scorer, playmaker, or ball-handler 'Nova Nation was hoping he'd be.

Big East Bummer (Game) @ Wells Fargo Center: AP #10 Creighton Bluejays Bludgeon Villanova Wildcats in South Philly

Villanova v Seton Hall: With 3 points on 1-for-7 shooting and 2 turnovers against Seton Hall, 'Nova's up-&-down point-guard, Mark Armstrong, had one of his down games last night. Mark, when you're open, shoot the ball! The worst that can happen is you miss.

Big East Basketball Bubble-Battle on Hump Day: Seton Hall Smacks Villanova, in Garden State

'Nova's Tyler Burton: Despite the Richmond transfer's scoring impact on his former (Spiders) team, Burton's ability to score the basketball has been questioned throughout the 2023-'24 season. As he continues to adapt to a higher-caliber conference, Burton needs to play within himself and tune out the noise. At Richmond, Burton was a scorer; averaging nearly 20 PPG. Now, he's a tough guy, bruiser type who can rebound on both ends and play defense. Like a true veteran, Burton is embracing his role

Big East Basketball: Villanova pounds Providence in key bubble battle

Duke v Wake Forest: Carrying the Blue Devils on both ends of the floor, center Kyle Filipowski is more than just a scorer & rebounder.

Duke Basketball: Should court-storming continue after Kyle Filipowski's injury?

Butler v Villanova: Determined to reassert himself as a preeminent two-way guard (in the nation), Villanova's Justin Moore has endured a long road back from a number of injuries; and his patience and hard work during that rough time is beginning to pay off. Against Butler, we saw glimpses of the old Moore; as the savvy vet scored 13 points using his smooth, perimeter jump-shot combined with his strength-&-finesse as a dribble-driver.

NCAA March Madness Tourney Bubble Watch: Big East blue-blood, Villanova, defeats Butler at Finneran Pavilion

Villanova v Georgetown: Not the prettiest motion in the world, Villanova's Maryland-transfer, Hakim Hart, is an athletic driver and a strong, versatile defender whose perimeter-stroke leaves a lot to be desired. As a Roman Catholic graduate himself, Hart is a Philly kid; just like Longino and Dixon.

Georgetown Hoyas fall to Villanova Wildcats at home to make it 10 straight losses

Seton Hall v Villanova: With 43 points in his last 3 games, the Wildcats' shooting-guard, Brendan Hausen, is starting to find his footing at this (/the next) level and could be onto something. Moving forward, Hausen's butter-stroke needs to be complemented with a stronger offensive-game off the bounce.

Villanova sophomore-sniper, Brendan Hausen goes off in win over Seton Hall Pirates

Villanova v Xavier: Given how incredible "Nova's Brendan Hausen is as a perimeter shooter, it's no wonder Xavier's defense got beaten back-door by the sophomore-sharpshooter; who cannot be allowed to roam freely on the perimeter.

Big East Ball at Cintas favors Xavier Musketeers over Kyle Neptune, Villanova Wildcats