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Happy Thursday Nova Nation! Isn’t it always the case that when you’re prepared for a day to be nice and quiet, everything happens all at once! Seriously, a TON of big news dropped yesterday, and most of it was dwarfed by the transfer announcement from Jahvon Quinerly. So instead of focusing on that one topic (besides, everyone else already has), I’m going to do a quick swing through everything you may have missed yesterday.
Let’s start with Quinerly. I wish him the best of luck, and I will always wish things had worked out differently. That said, his departure leaves Nova’s roster lacking point guard experience while still having plenty of depth. Wright does mention in one of the articles that they’re open to seeing who’d be available, but that if there isn’t a great fit they’d “stay pat”. I think that’s incredibly smart on the coach’s part. In an ideal world, they find someone that can fill a Tony Chenault type role. But if that isn’t available the current roster will be more than capable of shouldering those duties, albeit with some early stumbles.
Another big story was the finalizing of the Big East vs Big 12 Challenge matchups. We knew that Villanova would be hosting Kansas, but now we also know every other game and some of the dates. The first thing that jumped out to me is that they went a little easy in this first season. Kansas at Nova will be the headliner, and Seton Hall at Iowa State could be very interesting, but otherwise they matched up strong teams with weaker ones. Final Four bound Texas Tech will play at De Paul. An improving, young Georgetown team will travel to OK State. This is a great event, and it looks like it will span all of December, but I was hoping for a bigger splash in year one.
In other Big East news, the 3X3U tournament team was announced. For those of you that don’t remember, this is the AMAZING 3x3 tournament that literally hands a bag of cash to the winners of every game. For that reason, teams can only be comprised of four players who have completed their collegiate eligibility. Every conference is represented, but again I was disappointed with the Big East’s team. It’s more because of who isn’t on it than who is. The conference will send Clark (StJ), Fowler (BUT), Jorgenson (BUT), and Jackson (PROV). Booth and Paschall look like they’ll be preparing for the NBA Draft, Govan is participating in the Reeses All-Star game, and Strus and Cain are still playing in the CBI Finals.
And finally, the coaching carousel is starting to pick up momentum around the Big East. While a few names like Ed Cooley and Wojo have been tossed around as options, Kevin Willard is reportedly the target to fill the Virginia Tech job. It would certainly be a step up in salary for him, and VT is coming off of a Sweet 16 appearance. It would be the second straight coach the former Big East school poached from its prior conference, as Willard would be replacing Buzz Williams. You’d hope the Big East could be a destination for coaches as the best “Basketball First” conference in the country. However, without the deep pockets that state schools and football provide, Jay Wright may be the only coach that can’t be lured away.
Those are the big stories, but it’s just the tip of yesterday’s news iceberg! In other “news”, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is playing at Nationals, Mikal Bridges won the NBA’s Hustle Award, and Tom Ingelsby’s son created an HBO show centered right outside Villanova. Enjoy!
Jahvon Quinerly is Transferring
Villanova point guard Jahvon Quinerly will transfer | The Inquirer
The freshman point guard played in just 25 of the Wildcats' 36 games this season, and did not see action at all in the team's five post-season games.
Jahvon Quinerly transfer: Villanova freshman G to enter portal | SI.com
Quinerly appeared in 25 games for Villanova during the 2018-19 season.
Pitt Panthers Basketball In The Running To Land Villanova Transfer Jahvon Quinerly | CBS Pittsburgh
According to reports, Pitt Men's Basketball could land a major transfer this offseason.
Jahvon Quinerly just wasn’t a fit for Jay Wright and Villanova | The Inquirer
The freshman said Villanova "was my 2nd choice for a reason" after the Wildcats lost to Penn. We know why.
Jahvon Quinerly to transfer out of Villanova | CollegeBasketballTalk
Quinerly was never a good fit for the Wildcats.
Former Arizona commit Jahvon Quinerly to transfer from Villanova | Arizona Desert Swarm
Villanova was his second choice for a reason.
Jahvon Quinerly: Five Things To Know About Villanova Transfer | The Big Lead
Jahvon Quinerly will transfer from Villanova. Here's what you need to know about the five-star point guard.
Class of 2019
GEICO Nationals to decide high school basketball's national champion | MaxPreps
MaxPreps News - La Lumiere, IMG Academy would sew up No. 1 ranking with event title.
NBA Wildcats
Mikal Bridges Wins 2019 Dan Majerle Hustle Award | Phoenix Suns
Suns Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle presented Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges with the 2019 Dan Majerle Hustle Award tonight prior the Suns’ matchup with the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena. A photo of tonight’s pregame recognition is attached.
Villanova Basketball Adjacent
Kate Winslet to play ‘small-town Pennsylvania detective’ in HBO series | Milbank Monitor
The series was created by Brad Ingelsby, son of former Villanova basketball great Tom Ingelsby.
Other Villanova Sports
Villanova women win Soccer Six tournament | Brotherly Game
The hosts tied Penn on points but won the head-to-head tiebreaker to claim the trophy for the first time
Big East
Report: Matchups set for first Big 12-Big East Challenge | 247 Sports
The matchups are reportedly finalized.
College Sports: Report: Full slate for inaugural Big East-Big 12 Challenge set, including Texas Tech at DePaul | SportsDay
The complete lineup for the inaugural Big East-Big 12 Challenge, set to be played next season, is reportedly set. Per CBS Sports men's college...
Marvin Clark II Selected to Participate in 2019 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship | St. John's University Athletics
St. John's graduating senior Marvin Clark II has been selected to participate in the 2019 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship, scheduled for April 5-7 at Minneapolis'
Coaching Carousel
Buzz Williams to be the next head coach at Texas A&M | CollegeBasketballTalk
The SEC got better today.
Kevin Willard flirts with Virginia Tech in potential Seton Hall exit | New York Post
After four straight NCAA Tournament bids and 20-win seasons, Kevin Willard is starting to gain traction nationwide, and it could cost Seton Hall.
Penn State tabs Marquette’s Carolyn Kieger as next women’s basketball coach | pennlive.com
Kieger, a Marquette alum, took the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Tournament the last three seasons.
You can now bet on Rick Pitino and John Calipari becoming the next coach of the Lakers | A Sea Of Blue
There may be some money to be made here.
March Madness and College Basketball
March Madness: Ranking the NCAA Tournament’s greatest moments | Sporting News
You're asking for trouble when the Kris Jenkins shot is outside your Top 10. But they absolutely got the Top 2 spots 100% right.
How a 14-cent parlay won $1,300 - A March Madness love story | ESPN
One bettor beat the odds and turned the final 14 cents left on his app account into over $1,300 in a March Madness parlay, but his girlfriend just might end up being the big winner.