State of the Program

[sandw04]

I've done some reading into the DePaul thing and most DePaul fans tend to blame your AD for the program's failures. Is that accurate? she really doesn't appear to have done well for the BBall.

Jean Lenti-Ponsetto is a former star athlete at DePaul and a leader in Women's Sports. She brings a love of DePaul and genuine concern for its student-athletes. Her family is well situated in HS athletics in Chicago, her brother is HC of DePaul's very successful Softball team, and her husband is a former DePaul basketball star from its glory days.

I am an older alum and I personally like her. I think she has done a fair job overseeing the total athletic program and in bringing in donations to the department. At the same time, she is the AD and has done little, despite an honest effort, to erase the tarnish on the men's basketball program. I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Nova:

The team is v. young and has seemed to grow up fast. We're losing one player next year: Mouph, our center. He's a very good, not great player. But he has certainly been a rock for us this year with rebounding and bulk in the middle. Our top 3 scorers are returning who are 2 Soph's and a Frosh. We also had a solid recruiting class and get Dylan Enis, a transfer from Rice who was the Frosh player of the year in Conf USA last year. We would have only 1 Sr. on the team next year so I expect that Nova will be towards the top of the league for at least the next two years.

This team has bought into the defensive side of the ball. They are unselfish and balanced and I would expect more of the same next year. Offensively we bring, as usual, a bevy of guards to the table. The threesome of Bell, Hilliard and Archidiacono can all hit the three and Bell and DH are long guards that can defend. At forward Jay Pinkston (former MCD's AA) is a matchup nightmare. Big, strong kid who is very quick for a PF. Can beat you posting up and off the dribble. Our biggest challenge will be in the middle. If Ochefu (Frosh, highly touted recruit last year) can stay on the floor he can provide shot blocking, rebounding and an occasional dunk or hook shot to keep opposing teams honest. If Jay can find another kid to come off the bench in the middle I'd feel even better. I see this team as a Top 25 team next year without question.

[The Partisan]

State of the program? Villanova is gonna kick all your arses next year. There is your state of the program!

Seriously though, agree with the above about villanova.

Team: It should be good next year...top 25. We lose Yarou (starter) and Sutton (deep bench player). Yarou's graduation will hurt as current freshman Ochefu is unproven. He shows great promise, but he will be Villanova's only true big man unless Jay gets a late addtion to next years freshman class. Pinkston is not a true big man, but scores many of his points in the paint. We will be fine at guard. The 5 spot is the big concern due to inexperience and lack of depth (i.e potential foul problem issues)

Program: Villanova is in good shape. We have a relatively new practice facility, a good coach, solid fan base. The major wish list item for the program would be a better on campus facility. The Pavilion is a crappy white elephant. Seats 6500. We could use a 8000-9000 seat place. Major stumbling block, for those not familiar with Villanova, is its location in a very wealthy suburban area. Think of the wealthiest area in your metropolitain area and imagine the reaction of the neighbors if a larger arena was to be placed in that neighborhood. I think Villanova would find the moeny to rebuild, but they would have to kiss some neighborhood ass to get it done. Villanova plays 3-5 games a year at the Wells Fargo Center (76ers/Flyers arena) in Philadelphia.