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Interesting news out of St Joe's where Phil Martelli was fired today.

You almost wonder if this may change the Big 5 scheduling setup- possibly eliminating the round robin... Not saying it'd be definite, but if there was ever a time where it could happen, this would be it.

Martelli fired!!??? You're kidding right? He's an institution in Philly and St Joes'.

His 2004 team with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West was special. End of an era.

gtmoBlue wrote:Martelli fired!!??? You're kidding right? He's an institution in Philly and St Joes'.

yeah.... 33 years as St Joe's, 24 as head coach....

really struggled the last few years though. 41-55 last 3 years and only 20-34 in conference play. 1-8 vs Temple, Nova, and Penn last 3 years.

How much longer is Nova locked into these games? Honestly, I know for the most part they've dominated, but they should replace them with games that have better exposure. Nova already owns the Philly market. Maybe keep playing Temple, but being locked into H&Hs with St. Joe's, Penn and LaSalle each year is crazy.

adoraz wrote:How much longer is Nova locked into these games? Honestly, I know for the most part they've dominated, but they should replace them with games that have better exposure. Nova already owns the Philly market. Maybe keep playing Temple, but being locked into H&Hs with St. Joe's, Penn and LaSalle each year is crazy.

I look at it completely opposite. Nova really benefits by getting to earn credit for "road wins" without ever leaving town.

Jay's a Philly guy.... Loves the Big 5. don't see it changing while he is at Nova.

ArmyVet wrote:

adoraz wrote:How much longer is Nova locked into these games? Honestly, I know for the most part they've dominated, but they should replace them with games that have better exposure. Nova already owns the Philly market. Maybe keep playing Temple, but being locked into H&Hs with St. Joe's, Penn and LaSalle each year is crazy.

I look at it completely opposite. Nova really benefits by getting to earn credit for "road wins" without ever leaving town.

true and with how the committee looks at that- pretty big....

ArmyVet wrote:

adoraz wrote:How much longer is Nova locked into these games? Honestly, I know for the most part they've dominated, but they should replace them with games that have better exposure. Nova already owns the Philly market. Maybe keep playing Temple, but being locked into H&Hs with St. Joe's, Penn and LaSalle each year is crazy.

I look at it completely opposite. Nova really benefits by getting to earn credit for "road wins" without ever leaving town.

Yep. Also, it's not like you would replace the home games with big-time games. Villanova just has fewer traditional buy games than other programs. For example, Xavier generally has 5 buy games plus an exempt tournament add-on, while Nova has 3.

ArmyVet wrote:

adoraz wrote:How much longer is Nova locked into these games? Honestly, I know for the most part they've dominated, but they should replace them with games that have better exposure. Nova already owns the Philly market. Maybe keep playing Temple, but being locked into H&Hs with St. Joe's, Penn and LaSalle each year is crazy.

I look at it completely opposite. Nova really benefits by getting to earn credit for "road wins" without ever leaving town.

How are they not road games? When they fell @ Penn this year, were there many Nova fans in the crowd? I'd think if anything, these mid major local rivals would be extra excited to play Nova. Also consider that they mostly play in small (loud) gyms.

There's a reason none of the other power teams play @ local mid majors (or play @ any mid majors). Nova is the only team that does that.

But hey, if Nova likes the setup then I won't question them. I just assumed they wanted out.