What's wrong with Nova?

[jeffreyweee]

I understand they're 2-0 and will be better than last year, but looking at their recruits they don't have much of anything to show for future success either. Do they need a new coach or what's the problem there? I miss the top 15-25 teams and yearning hatred for them I used to have.

[Windyplayer]

I understand they're 2-0 and will be better than last year, but looking at their recruits they don't have much of anything to show for future success either. Do they need a new coach or what's the problem there? I miss the top 15-25 teams and yearning hatred for them I used to have.

Rough stretch. Every program goes through them, and I mean every program--see IU, Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, etc. The truly great teams are not in them for very long. I think that's what makes Duke and Coach K all the more impressive. They are by far the most consistently successful team in college hoops--pains me to say, but true.

[brewcity77]

Quite a few marquee recruits didn't deliver for them. Cheek and Pinkston were disappointing McD's players, while Wayns was more a stat-whore than the kind to make anyone else better, not good for a PG. Other highly regarded recruits haven't been what they hoped for: Armwood left, Yarou is invisible as often as he is great, James Bell is average at best; Jay Wright got away from recruiting players that fit his system and was more focused on recruiting star ratings.

Ryan Arch is an incredible player and I really think they'll turn it around. If Wright gets back to finding guys that fit the system I think they'll be fine.

[westcoastwarrior]

So I guess this lesson can apply to Buzz...stick with your system and don't get caught-up going after the "star" recruits.  I know Buzz has mentioned he is not apposed to the one-and-done players...he just feels the program is just not their yet.   

[muarmy81]

They haven't focused enough effort to elevate their football program.

[The Equalizer]

Jay Wright got away from recruiting players that fit his system and was more focused on recruiting star ratings.

Jay Wright has always recruited to the star system.

When they went to the final four a few years back, they did so with McDonalds AAs Scottie Reynolds and Corey Stokes and 5-star Corey Fisher. 

Before that, he won with players like Jason Fraser (RSCI #5), Randy Foye (#56) Kyle Lowry (#29), Allan Ray (#39).

Yarrou and Pinkston have failed to meet expectations.  After them, Villanova simply has less talent than years past.

So I guess this lesson can apply to Buzz...stick with your system and don't get caught-up going after the "star" recruits.  I know Buzz has mentioned he is not apposed to the one-and-done players...he just feels the program is just not their yet.   

Buzz has been caught up in going after the "star" recruits for several years now.  He went after Tobias Harris in 2010 and Quincy Miller in 2011--and you had to believe that both had the potential to be the one-and-done players (both eventually left after one year, Harris the 19th overall pick, Miller 8th pick in the 2nd round).

What he means by "the program is just not there yet" is landing those recruits--not pursuing them.

[honkytonk]

Cheek and Wayns would be seniors if they didnt declare for the draft last summer...and go undrafted. Yarou is their lone senior and he's a bit of a disappointment. Since that recruiting class, high school talent out of Philly has been a bit down and Wright historically has relied on keeping local talent from leaving. Only a couple of big names have come out of Philly since 09 and none ended up at Nova - Amile Jefferson chose Duke, Dion Waiters and Rakeem Christmas chose Syracuse and Rondae Jefferson chose Zona. Rysheed Jordan is still up for grabs but I believe he is a Temple lean. Not looking good.