Villanova Basketball working through growing pains in brutal loss to Ohio State

Happy (?) Thursday Nova Nation! Sometimes life hands you a blessing in disguise. For example, at the tip-off of last night’s mugging by Ohio State I was not sitting comfortably in front of the TV. Instead, I was sitting in a doctor’s office with my three year old daughter explaining that her nose was not the best place for keeping a bead safe. Don’t worry, the bead is out, she’s learned a valuable (albeit painful) lesson, and now she has a big art project planned for her “nose bead”. Man, youngin’s can bounce back from anything in a hurry.

As for me, after tucking her into bed I watched the game on my DVR. As you may expect, the fast forward button got a lot of use. There’s no sugar coating it, that was not a pretty game. Not only was Ohio State exactly as good on defense as we thought they were, but Villanova failed to convert on the many of the open shots they got when the offense was working. As for the other end of the court, Ohio State had one of those nights where it doesn’t matter how well you guard them. Actually, most of Villanova’s highlights from this game came on the defensive end, although in the heat of the moment it was surely hard to appreciate them.

There’s no need to re-hash the many shortcomings (long term or otherwise) that last night’s game exposed. We knew that this was a young team that had a strong possibility to stumble out of the gate, especially in this game. Heck, 9 out of 10 members of our staff predicted a loss in Columbus. There’s certainly not a lot to feel positive about today, but I also have no problem setting aside a lot of the negatives. There’s still a long season, young teams learn fast (especially with the ample minutes they’re getting), and we still haven’t gotten Bryan Antoine off the bench.

If my adventures with my daughter last night taught me anything, it’s that sometimes it’s better to chalk it up to growing pains and move on rather than harp on it. Besides, youngin’s can bounce back from anything in a hurry. Oh, hello Ohio University.

In other “news”, Villanova mourns the loss of longtime fan and donnor in alumnus William Finneran, a number of athletes sign their letters of intent to play at Villanova, and Josh Hart sits down with Jalen Brunson in the latest episode of his podcast. Enjoy!

Villanova Men’s Basketball

Villanova Mourns the Loss of William B. Finneran | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova alumnus William B. Finneran played an integral role for Villanova Basketball.

XU reenacts ’Nova’s championship shot to stay unbeaten | Fox19
“That’s a play we actually stole from Villanova,” said Steele after Xavier’s overtime win.

The best college hoops programs of the 2010s | Yardbarker
As the 2010s come to a close, it is fun to look back at the past decade to see how far we've come and who became the face of the past 10 years. Who did it best? Villanova comes in at #5.

Ohio State defeats Villanova

No. 16 Ohio State 76, No. 10 Villanova 51: Stats, highlights and reaction from Wildcats’ loss | Philadelphia Inquirer
The Buckeyes made 14 of their first 20 shots to take a 36-10 lead.

Ohio State Ambushes No. 10 Villanova in Decisive Rout | Sports Illustrated
Buckeyes grab double-figure margin early and never relent in upset win

Hot Start Helps No. 18 Ohio State Rout No. 10 Villanova | The New York Times
Not even Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann saw this coming.

For 3: Ohio State adjusts, VCU shows off a new college basketball star | ESPN
The short-handed Buckeyes rolled past Villanova, and Marcus Santos-Silva led the Rams past LSU. Can Seton Hall's team approach handle Michigan State on Thursday?

No. 10 Villanova falls flat in blowout loss to No. 18 Ohio State | NBC Sports Philadelphia
No. 10 Villanova fell behind early Wednesday night and never showed much life in a 76-51 loss to No. 18 Ohio State.

Fast Start Carries No. 16 Ohio State Past Wildcats 76-51 | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova dropped a 76-51 decision at Ohio State Wednesday in the Gavitt Games.

NBA Wildcats

LightHarted Podcast with Josh Hart: CHAMPIONS with Jalen Brunson |Stitcher
Welcome to the LightHarted Podcast with Rising NBA Star Josh Hart (New Orleans Pelicans) and Rising Business Mogul Matt Hillman (Cut + Sew). To start these two best friends are here to discuss: The live show in New Orleans, Food in New Orleans, Heart to Hart & more. Then it’s an honor and a privilege to have Dallas Mavericks and Villanova Wildcats 2x Champion Point Guard Jalen Brunson on for a Lightharted Podcast.

Arcidiacono's faith in White pays off in viral clip | Deaily Herald
Ryan Arcidiacono's faith in Coby White was rewarded. As White launched his fifth 3-pointer of the fourth quarter, Arcidiacono raised his arms in celebration and turned his back before the ball even hit the basket.

Ryan Arcidiacono enjoys Coby White's historic 3-point barrage | NBC Sports Chicago
A video of Ryan Arcidiacono celebrating Coby White's 23-point fourth quarter has gone viral. Arcidiacono, who assisted on three of White's seven fourth-quarter 3-pointers, said he just tries to bring energy to the Bulls.

Warriors coach very impressed with Eric Paschall in one specific area | NBCS Bay Area
The rookie spent five years in college, and greatly benefitted from playing for Villanova coach Jay Wright.

Why Eric Paschall was uniquely equipped to become the face of the Warriors’ rebuild | SFChronicle.com
With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevon Looney and Draymond Green sidelined for much, if not all, of the season, Eric Paschall — the No. 41 pick in June’s NBA draft — has shouldered as many media responsibilities as any All-Star.

Eric Paschall says Draymond Green has helped him ‘a lot’ this season | Rookie Wire
The Warriors' breakout rookie often talks to Draymond Green on ways to improve his game and learn the ins and outs of the NBA.

Villanova Women’s Basketball

Wildcats Travel to American Thursday Night | Villanova University Athletics
The Wildcats will travel to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 14, to take on the American University Eagles. Villanova enters play with an 0-2 record, while American

Becahi girls basketball’s Medina signs with Villanova after recovering from knee injury | lehighvalleylive.com
Taliyah Medina missed last season with a torn ACL.

Villanova Football

Villanova to host Long Island University Friday night | KYW
It's a short week for the Villanova Wildcats as they get ready to play a non-conference game on Friday night, welcoming Long Island University to the Main Line.

With Lessons Learned, Villanova's Drew Wiley Is Ready For A Playoff Run | FloFootball
Five years of hard work came to a head for Drew Wiley and his Villanova teammates in Week 11 against Richmond.

Recruiting roundup: Martin Luther King’s Tyrell Mims gets an offer from Villanova, and St. Joseph’s Keshon Griffin has options | Philadelphia Inquirer
The senior cornerback has seen interest from Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, Syracuse, and Ohio State.

Villanova Athletics

Bethlehem Catholic basketball star Taliyah Medina signs with Villanova | The Morning Call
Bethlehem Catholic star basketball player Taliyah Medina has signed a letter of intent to attend Villanova University.

Berlin Brothersvalley's Booth gets full ride to Villanova for volleyball | Sports | tribdem.com
BERLIN – Talented Berlin Brothersvalley multi-sport athlete Kiera Booth had some decisions to make regarding her future.

Volleyball Adds Three Future Wildcats on National Signing Day | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa. – Villanova volleyball had three incoming players sign National Letters of Intent today to join the Wildcats roster as the class of 2024. The class

Villanova high jumper also a high-jumping Villanova volleyball player | Philadelphia Inquirer
“She might be a world-class athlete,’’ her Villanova volleyball coach says. “She is someone who, every team we play, they have to account for.”

College Basketball

Who is getting it done on the recruiting trail, and who has has work to do | The Athletic
With the early signing period beginning, we look at what's going on across the recruiting landscape.

College basketball: Memphis freshman heads back to court in fight to stay eligible | Roanoke Times
James Wiseman has one more game before heading back to court with his attorneys as they take on the NCAA in a high-stakes battle to keep the 7-foot-1 freshman playing

The rankings that really matter when betting college basketball | New York Post
Be sure you take advantage of research opportunities offered by marquee college basketball matchups. Programs have smartened up about gaining early-season TV exposure, creating midweek classroom clinics for recreational bettors.

Memphis moving toward resolution with NCAA regarding James Wiseman's eligibility | CBSSports.com
The 5-star freshman has been playing despite being labeled 'likely ineligible' by the NCAA