How can Villanova Basketball fans “be better” this offseason?

Happy Monday Nova Nation! We’ve entered the final days of July, and the new college basketball season is now just 99 days away. That’s longer than many of us would like, but at least we’re out of the triple digits.

We talk a lot about what players on the team or the coaching staff are doing to improve leading up to a new year. Have they been extending the range of their jump shot? Did they develop a post-up game? Will the staff set the burn offense on fire?

Of course the players and staff are making improvements in the offseason, but since it’s a slow news day I’m going to turn the spotlight around on us Nova Nation. What are we doing to be better fans this offseason?

It’s not something I’ve ever actually thought about before. My Villanova fandom has been cultivated over the years just by either rooting on the team during the season or researching about the team for this site. But I’ve never sat down with the explicit intention of becoming a better fan of my favorite team in all of sports.

And that’s my challenge to all of us Nova Nation, let’s become better fans this offseason. We have a little over three months to do it and there are a number of ways to go. Personally, I’ve never been as good at talking the x’s and o’s of the game as others. So in the next few months I’m going to take some time to research more basketball strategy to better inform my writing and what I’m watching in games. Today’s article on Jay Wright’s Defense should be a good starting point. But you don’t need to be nearly as technical in your efforts this season.

Maybe it’s as simple as making plans to go to a game if you haven’t been in a while. Maybe you go to your first road game. Or even your first tournament. It’s not all about spending money either, maybe you do some reading on the history of Nova or the Big 5. Maybe you start listening to a Villanova podcast, or read up on some of the players and teams from before your time.

There’s a lot of summer left before November, so let’s follow suit with the players and coaches we can’t wait to see take the court again. Let’s all find at least one way to make ourselves into better Villanova fans this offseason. And if you’re thinking this is a pointless exercise or that you have nothing else to learn, I have one word for you: #Attitude.

In other “news”, the Big East team is off to Lima, CAA Football media day with coach Ferrante, and tons of NBA storylines. Enjoy!

Villanova Basketball

BIG EAST/Team USA Departs For Lima For Pan American Games | Creighton University Athletics
After a week of practice in Providence, the team of BIG EAST Conference men's basketball standouts leaves for Lima, Peru, on Saturday to represent the United States at the Pan American Games. Men's basketball competition begins on Wednesday, July 31, when the U.S. team meets Virgin Islands at 10:30 a.m. Central.

NBA Wildcats

USA Basketball announces roster moves ahead of Las Vegas camp | Las Vegas Review-Journal
Several of the NBA’s star players withdrew from USA Basketball’s upcoming camp at UNLV, including Houston Rockets guard James Harden and Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis.

Former Mount Saint Joseph, Villanova star Phil Booth Jr. signs with NBA’s Wizards | Baltimore Sun
Former Mount Saint Joseph and Villanova star Phil Booth Jr. is expected to sign an Exhibit 10 contract Friday with the Washington Wizards.

Kyle Lowry Drops Knowledge on Carson Wentz [WATCH] | Heavy.com
Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry attended Philadelphia Eagles training camp practice Saturday and had some words of wisdom for quarterback Carson Wentz.

Basketball-Reference gives Kyle Lowry higher probability of making Hall of Fame than Kawhi Leonard | NBA.com Canada | The official site of the NBA
Lowry's Hall of Fame probability is the 13th most among active players, giving him a higher chance than the likes of Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard among others.

Suns building blocks: The potential breakout season for Mikal Bridges | Arizona Sports
Mikal Bridges was positively impacting games as a rookie for the Phoenix Suns all while showing signs of a breakout season coming soon.

Villanova product Booth signs with Wizards | delcotimes.com
Phil Booth grew up going to Washington Wizards games with his dad, Phil Sr. Now the Baltimore native and former Villanova guard will get the chance to play for the

Golden State Warriors: Eric Paschall should be given a chance at SF | Golden Gate Sports
The Golden State Warriors could have a hole at small forward early in the season. Rookie Eric Paschall should be given a chance to play the position.

Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo must overcome shooting woes | Behind the Buck Pass
Donte DiVincenzo may have greater opportunity with the Milwaukee Bucks next season, but he first must overcome his shooting struggles.

NBA Players Who Should've Changed Teams in Free Agency | Bleacher Report
We are at that rare point in the NBA calendar when every team feels good about its roster. Whether they are rebuilding, gunning for a title or anything in between, all 30 clubs have reasons to be optimistic for the remainder of the offseason...

Toronto Raptors: An ode to NBA Champion Kyle Lowry | Sir Charles in Charge
The Toronto Raptors are NBA champions - and no one deserves the glory or vindication more than Kyle Lowry. So many junctures should've spelled the end.

NBA By The Uniform Numbers: The best players in the 50s | Sir Charles in Charge
Continuing our NBA By The Numbers series, we explore the best players that wear numbers in the 50s. Did we miss any notables?

New Orleans Pelicans Top Rotation And Minutes Battles | Forbes
The New Orleans Pelicans have possibly the deepest, most talented roster in franchise history.

Villanova Football

Live With Villanova On CAA Media Day | Flo Football
Mark Ferrante and his Villanova Wildcats took their turn on the set at CAA Media Day in Baltimore, Md.

Villanova Adjacent

Built to Last | Villanova Magazine
How does Villanova’s project management team keep up with all of the new developments on campus? We spent a day with senior project manager Marilou Smith ‘84 COE to find out. Special thanks to Claude Savagely for finding this one!

Otters’ Wright cements place in bullpen | 14 News
Wright is the son of Villanova head basketball coach Jay Wright, a two-time national champion, but Taylor prefers baseball and has loved his time so far with the Otters.