Happy Thanksgiving from VU Hoops

Happy Thanksgiving Nova Nation! Like many of you, today I’ll be enjoying some good food, great people, and a subtle reminder that I can’t just “play sports” like I used to. At some point, I’ll be gathered around a table with family and friends to say how thankful I am for all of them and how much they mean to me. Well consider this our table Nova Nation, cause it’s about to get all sentimental up in here.

Three and a half years ago I started writing for VU Hoops as a way to further explore my fandom for Villanova Basketball. It was going to be something I did for fun when I could, like a hobby on the weekend. But before I knew it, some guys I had only known previously as internet handles like Mike J, Chris Lane, Ryan, and Brian were suddenly helping and mentoring me. As they did, my writing got better (a continued work in progress) and I started getting some positive feedback from readers like yourselves. I was hooked.

Fast forward three years and two National Championships, and I’m still flabbergasted by what this perceived “side hustle” has turned into. I’ve literally run into people on the street who know me because of this site even though we’ve never met in person. I’ll see former classmates I haven’t talked to in ages, but they feel like they just heard from me because they read the site every day. It’s become so much more than just a passion project about my favorite team, it’s a way to stay connected to the Nova Nation.

I think everyone that comes to this site would agree that it’s not just to read about a sport, but to be a part of the community that VU Hoops represents. Now when I write, I don’t want to just bring up stats about the team or give my opinion. I want to create discussion topics for this group that comes together to bond over a team and a university. That drive to be a vocal part of the community may be what I’m most thankful for.

So that’s my elongated way of saying thank you, VU Hoops readers and contributors. Thank you for being an incredible and passionate audience that’s truly a pleasure to write for. You’re engaging and devoted, even if a bit incorrigible at times. On behalf of all the staff, thank you for reading, commenting, and loving Villanova Basketball.

Oh, and I’ll also be REALLY thankful if we could win a freaking game already.

In other “news”, 2020 PG Jeremy Roach has suffered a torn ACL, #1 Duke goes down before DePaul, and you can now drive on Tim Thomas Way. Enjoy, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Canisius Game

Canisius basketball is next Big 4 team to play defending national champion | The Buffalo News
Canisius will become the fourth Big 4 team in the last 15 years to face the defending national champion when it opens play in the AdvoCare Invitational against …

Canisius vs. Villanova - 11/22/18 College Basketball Pick, Odds, and Prediction | Sports Chat Place
The Golden Griffins take on the Wildcats in the first game of the AdvoCare Invitational.

AdvoCare Invitational

Struggling Villanova looks for a little magic at Disney World | The Boston Globe
The defending national champions, with two losses already, are in Florida for a holiday tournament.

Former UAlbany teammates Cremo, Nichols could match up this weekend | The Daily Gazette
The former Albany roommates could go head to head on Sunday.

Memphis basketball: Penny Hardaway still endeared in Orlando | Commercial Appeal
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway returns to Orlando this week, the place where he reached the peak of his basketball stardom.

Recruiting

UK Basketball Recruiting: Kentucky target Jeremy Roach tears ACL | A Sea Of Blue
Roach is the top-ranked point guard in his class.

Villanova Adjacent

Tim Thomas Way Marks Legacy of Paterson Legend Turned NBA Star | TAPinto
The Villanova star now has his own street.

Enrollment gains help Villanova land a positive outlook | Bond Buyer
Moody's Investors Service now assigns a positive outlook to its A1 rating for the private Pennsylvania university.

Feast Week

College basketball: Ultimate Thanksgiving weekend what-to-watch guide | NCAA.com
Andy Katz outlines all the top college basketball games to watch from Wednesday through Sunday this Thanksgiving tournament weekend.

No. 3 Gonzaga deals No. 1 Duke a Maui Invitational loss, and college basketball Twitter loved it - CBSSports.com
Twitter ran amok on Wednesday in the wake of top-ranked Duke's defeat vs. Gonzaga. My personal favorite from Mike Rutherford: DePaul is undefeated and Duke isn't.

ESPN’s Jay Williams did not need Duke to lose to Gonzaga | The Inquirer
Social media had a ball at Williams' expense as the Blue Devils trailed by 16 in the second half. They lost by two.