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

Before Kyle Neptune and his Villanova Wildcats tipped-off against DePaul in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, Jay Wright’s successor made it clear (that) his team sees no greater challenge throughout the season than the one that’s laid forth by the Big East Conference Tournament; calling the historic, single-elimination styled tournament the Wildcats’ “Super Bowl”. By halftime, however, the Big East’s 6th-seeded Villanova Wildcats looked bent out of shape; up merely a deuce (27-25) and in a war with the 0-&-20 Blue Demons of DePaul.

As both teams made their way to the locker room for intermission, the game’s airing network, Fox Sports 1, transitioned to its crew of on-camera personalities; including commentator Rob Stone and analyst LaVall Jordan. Setting the table for FS1’s viewers, Stone is typically a strong performer in his role as a conversation starter, but the FS1 point-man wasn’t at his best last night when he used the word “preseason” to describe the (lack of-) competitive environment between Villanova and DePaul. Once Stone threw shade in the Blue Demons’ direction, the Butler Bulldogs’ (former) head coach from 2017 to 2022, LaVall Jordan, offered his opinion on the game from Kyle Neptune’s standpoint; saying if he were Neptune he’d remind his players to keep doing what they’re doing, not to panic, not to “get tight”, and tell them “that we’re (still) good”.

I don’t know what you think about Jordan’s advice, but I certainly have my opinion. To be fair, LaVall Jordan is on TV (now) for a reason. In other words, he couldn’t hack-it as a head-coach; which became official once Butler canned him following the Indianapolis natives’ disappointing 2021-‘22 season where the Bulldogs finished below-.500 and missed their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. While I understand Jordan’s desire or temptation to remain as calm as possible with his team in the (same-) troubling situation ‘Nova found itself in at-half against the Blue Demons, I can confidently say his approach or attitude doesn’t fall in line with the way Jay Wright, Bobby Knight, or Rick Pitino would’ve handled this. Are Neptune and Jordan (and those who think like them) so unwilling to confront or challenge their players in big games and in an aggressive manner because they don’t think their players have the guts to respond to that kind of pressure? Does Neptune even believe in his players? Does he think they’re too fragile to be stern or direct with? I think it’s along those lines.

As the Blue Demons slowly but surely gained confidence against Villanova on both ends of the floor, Kyle Neptune’s body-language took a turn for the worst; his head was flailing-back, his eyes were wide and rolling, and he had his hands all over his beard down the stretch. Even though ‘Nova’s primary ball-handler, Mark Armstrong, had a shaky game and was unreliable with the ball in his hands during most of it, Neptune wasn’t going to replace him (and) with Chris Arcidiacono; allowing the sophomore-wildcard to turn the ball over on 4 occasions after mindlessly dribbling into double-teams around the free throw line extended mark on the floor.

Brendan Hausen has gone cold for the ‘Cats. Nobody can blame Neptune for giving the kid his minutes; but Hausen’s 15 were a few too many for the inexperienced defensive-liability that he is. With 13 minutes remaining, the 24.5 point underdogs earned themselves an 8 point lead (40-32); one that ‘Nova initially responded to well (and) with an 8-0 run of their own over the next 3 minutes that leveled the score at 40. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Neptune got Hausen back into the game; despite the fact that Hausen didn’t score a point up ‘till then and would finish the game with zero. Once Hausen enters the game, Villanova struggles to defend; both in-space and on the perimeter.Being the prototypical shooter he is, Hausen has quick/good hands but his lack of size and lateral quickness get exposed defensively almost every possession. Strangely, ‘Nova had the bulk of their success against DePaul (which wasn’t much I might add) in the minutes that Hausen spent on the bench; which really isn’t odd at all considering the fact that Hausen’s shot was off last night.

Thank The Lord for Eric Dixon and Justin Moore. While Moore had just 10 points on 7-shots in the Round 1 win @ The Garden, he made the big plays defensively, grabbed 6 boards, dished out 4 dimes, and, of course, he delivered the dagger; three-pointer towards the left-wing that put the ‘Cats up-1 before DePaul raced up the court with roughly 7-8 seconds remaining only to turn it over a couple seconds before time expired.‘Nova Nation may be exhaling; but a performance like that (pitiful-) one against Marquette, with or without Tyler Kolek, spells disaster.When called upon, it’s pretty sad how poorly Bamba, Ware, and Hart can play. ‘Nova needs more from you boys; gentlemen.

Now is not the time to hold back, Kyle Neptune. Holding-back almost cost you your job last night and it certainly isn’t going to do you any favors against Marquette.

Be a leader and motivate through your presence, body language, and ability to inject belief and energy into these kids. Challenge them.

Time to show Shaka Smart what a real ball club looks like (sike, but maybe!)

Go ‘Nova