Eric Paschall will be the next Villanova breakout star

Happy Thursday Nova Nation! I’m starting to get the hang of these “early morning” links, and I have to say I don’t like it one bit. But for you, dear readers, I’ll stay up past my bedtime.

That’s especially easy to do anytime I get to read about Eric Paschall. While it was originally thought that he may venture into the NBA Draft with Donte DiVincenzo and Omari Spellman, Paschall decided to complete his collegiate career with one final season on the Main Line.

If Donte and Omari, especially the latter, decide to remain in the NBA Draft, Paschall becomes the most important player on Villanova’s team. Even if they both return, Paschall is the only forward outside of Tim Delaney with more than a year of play under their belt. He’ll be in line for a huge step forward in scoring, he’ll remain a defensive cornerstone, and he’ll likely add team captain to his resume.

There’s not many elite teams that have that player, let alone more than one of them. It may be a coincidence, but Villanova was winless (0-1) without the junior forward last season. While Paschall may have taken more of a back seat role in terms of media prominence last season, he was just as important to the team’s success as the national player of the year, the lottery pick, the Final Four MOP, and the freshman phenom. I think that changes next season, and I join tons of Nova fans who have been waiting for that breakout since he arrived on campus.

In other “news”, Jay Wright gives the Knicks and the NBA a definitive NO, and the NCAA Committee addressed everything except for THE ONE THING THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO! Enjoy!

National champ Eric Paschall puts NBA dream on hold | lohud.com
After winning a national title at Villanova, forward Eric Paschall, a Dobbs Ferry native, is content to delay his NBA dream.

Knicks’ Jay Wright pipe dream is officially dead | New York Post
The Knicks’ list of eight interviewees could expand, but there will be no interview with Villanova stud coach Jay Wright.

Hoops panel says ban cheats, end 1-and-done | AP News
The Commission on College Basketball sharply directed the NCAA to take control of the sport.