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Happy Monday Nova Nation! For the first time in my lifetime, there was no bracket released on Selection Sunday. Yes, we all knew there would be no tournament. But there was still a glimmer of hope that there would at least still be a bracket to honor the accomplishments of many teams this season. Sadly, the decision was made that there would be no bracket either.
The NCAA just sent an e-mail to all coaches stating that the brackets will not be released.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 15, 2020
Dan Gavitt: "To be clear, this is my decision. The basketball committees support and concur.”
And so the 2020 season is now over. There will be no more college basketball for quite some time either. As we start to hear projections for how long the global pandemic could last stretch out towards summer months, it’s fair to ask if Villanova will indeed go on their usual foreign trip that their allowed once every four years. It’s probably safe to assume that things will be back to normal by the time the 2021 season is ramping up in September and October, but at this point who knows. So instead of worrying about the future, let’s at least just enjoy what was accomplished in 2020.
A very young team that faced obstacles both as a team and individual came together. They gutted out wins, they kept their mantra of attitude through losses, and they kept improving. When everything was on the line and they knew they had to win their final two games just to have a chance at a Big East Championship, they did just that. This was a team of Champions from the start, and they proved that at the finish.
Jay Wright did a great job of both expressing his disappointment in the season’s abrupt end while still admiring the accomplishments of this team.
In light of the tough times , we want to thank and congratulate our guys on a tremendous season . We feel for our guys having this journey cut short , but we must trust healthcare officials and take care of one another during this difficult time...
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) March 15, 2020
We’re all in this together - let’s do the right thing . pic.twitter.com/KXrDAYzyYV
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) March 15, 2020
It’s a great reminder by coach that while we may love this team, there are bigger issues at play. Villanova’s season is over, and at some point we’ll all move on from it. But at the end of the day, no Nova Basketball season is over until one man has weighed in. Sean Donovan, the floor is yours...
In other “news”, Daniel Ochefu shares his experiences over the past few weeks abroad and with the Villanova team, everyone makes up their own tournaments, and Jalen Brunson underwent a successful shoulder surgery. Enjoy!
Villanova Men’s Basketball
AUDIO: The Full 40 - DANIEL OCHEFU INTERVIEW | SoundCloud
His timely experiences and perspectives with Coronavirus and Villanova Basketball over the last month.
Way-Too-Early Top 21 teams for '21 | 247 Sports
Villanova comes in at #13, behind #7 Creighton
2020 NBA Mock Draft: Predicting Landing Spots for LaMelo Ball, Top Prospects | Bleacher Report
With the NBA temporarily stopped and the college basketball season over because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 draft will likely command a few more headlines than normal in March...
NBA Wildcats
Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo's attacking key to late season surge | Behind the Buck Pass
Donte DiVincenzo has made his mark on the Milwaukee Bucks this season and his improving attacking ability has been a key trend as the year has gone on.
Mavericks G Jalen Brunson has right shoulder surgery | ESPN
Jalen Brunson is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.
Made Up Madness
Simulation Sunday: Dayton wins first title as SportsLine simulates entire 2020 NCAA Tournament | CBSSports.com
SportsLine simulated every game in a projected 2020 NCAA Tournament, and what a tournament it would have been
The complete what-if account of the 2020 NCAA Tournament: Bracket, results, highlights and more | Heat Check
How would the 2020 NCAA Tournament play out? Here's a potential conclusion.
Our Mythical and Historical Sites March Madness | SI
2020 Mythical and Historical Sites March Madness. Pokes Report went through the country and selected 64 teams for a simulated 2020 NCAA tournament.
The 2020 March Madness that could have been: East region | Detroit Free Press
March Madness? Starting Thursday, with help from Oakland's Greg Kampe, the Free Press will simulate this year’s NCAA tournament from start to finish.
Joe Lunardi put a NCAA bracket together so Mike Jensen picked the games | The Inquirer
The Dayton Flyers will love this? No, it just means pain for Flyers about what could have been.
Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo's attacking key to late season surge | Behind the Buck Pass
Donte DiVincenzo has made his mark on the Milwaukee Bucks this season and his improving attacking ability has been a key trend as the year has gone on.
Mavericks G Jalen Brunson has right shoulder surgery | ESPN
Jalen Brunson is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.
Villanova Football
Villanova's Ferrante can't help but worry about departing players | Sports | delcotimes.com
With the campus set to close Sunday and spring football cancelled, Villanova football coach Mark Ferrante spent his Friday scrambling to help his players make their way safely home in
Andy Talley's call to the Hall is a ball | Sports | delcotimes.com
Andy Talley was sitting at home in Bryn Mawr on Wednesday when a package unexpectedly came to the door.
Villanova University
Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Villanova University Students Required To Leave Campus By Sunday Amid Coronavirus Outbreak | CBS Philly
However, the university is not requiring a full move-out.
Coronavirus
NCAA Selection Sunday turned Social Distancing Sunday | NBC Sports Philadelphia
Today is supposed to be a day about dreams coming true. Unfortunately to no one’s fault, dreams have been cut short and no one will get their moment to shine. By Michael Gatti
Best of Scott Van Pelt ‘Senior Night’ Twitter posts | ESPN
Many athletes across the country played their last games without realizing it after the coronavirus outbreak cut their seasons short. This story gives some of them a shout-out.
College Basketball
Former Louisville coach Rick Pitino returns to college basketball, hired to be next coach at Iona | CBSSports.com
After more than two years out of college basketball, Pitino returns to coach the Gaels
Bravo, Max Goren: Meet the kid who gave us a ‘One Shining Moment’ to savor | The Athletic
Borrowing from the NCAA Tournament theme song, the 18-year-old college freshman put together a video of the 2019-20 season.
A sports week like never before | The Inquirer
There was no guide book to advise sports organizations how to respond to coronavirus epidemic.
Great March Madness Moments | Tacoma News Tribune
There will be no NCAA Tournament in 2020 but Andrew Hammond wanted to provide a slice of March Madness to college basketball fans out there.
College Basketball's 2020 Transfer List | Stadium
Familiar faces in new places.