Nova Up to #3
Posted by BMT on January 25th, 2010
The Cats aren’t exactly where they were at the end of the 1985 NCAA tournament but they’re doing pretty damn well. This week’s AP and Coach’s Polls both have Villanova at #3 in the nation. You’d think that this would create a quite a stir locally but it really hasn’t. In Philadelphia’s never-ending search for an “other” to hate, Nova occupies that spot in college hoops because they’re elitist or Catholic or located outside the city. Or something. Must be Donovan’s fault.
Anyway, the people’s team, Temple, is doing just fine at #15. This is the highest the Owls have been ranked since that Nova banner was printed. As for St. Joe’s, LaSalle, and Penn? They’re a combined 18-32. Don’t get greedy.
January 25th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
BMT,
A little history since you are an outsider. 1) The genesis of the anti-Nova sentiment started with the blue collar city kids like my father (Father Judge/LaSalle U) and uncle (West Catholic/St. Joe’s U) going to city schools who thought Nova people were snobby rich kids . . . and that is saying a lot with ivy UPENN in the area. 2) But probably more significantly, after 1985, Rollie Massimino and Nova tried to break up the beloved Philly sports institution that is the Big 5. This is the equivalent of replacing William Penn’s statue with Ivan Drago or hanging Larry Bird’s retired number from the rafters of the Wachovia Center. It was an unforgivable offense to many fans (including me). I may root for Nova in the tourney over UNC, but I will root for every other Big 5 school and Drexel any day in a head to head matchup. Otherwise, I don’t care about Nova and I don’t think I am alone here . . .
January 25th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Greg, they SUCCEEDED in breaking up the Big 5. The round-robin ended because of Nova. Its back now, but not the same.
And I would root for evil invading alien overlord hoops team if they played Nova.
January 25th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
So pretty much what I said.
January 25th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Andy, there is an evil invading alien overlord hoops team—the MONSTARS. Space Jam—greatest sports movie ever.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Today’s Quiz: Match the Monstars!
http://www2.warnerbros.com/spacejam/movie/cmp/junior/match.html
January 27th, 2010 at 10:40 am
BMT,
We are in agreement that we hope the Fighting Irish smash Nova tonight . . .