MSG in a bottle

[tower912]

All day, I was thinking Bring on the Night.      Now I am nearly Driven to Tears.
1.   It wasn't what MU was doing, it was the Synchronicity of Nova's offense.     The run that broke the game open came against man, zone, press, open, contested.    Nova can beat you from 5 positions and will likely be a higher seed in the NCAA tourney than the Big East Conference tourney.
2.  In the first half, whenever MU played physical, the refs blew their whistles and said Don't Stand so Close to (V).  Nova is just bigger, stronger, and better at every position.
3.  Markus is now the King of Pain.   Running into a screen set by a defensive end.   
4.  Second half run... O My God.   Bombs Away.  Every Little Thing (V) does is Magic.   
5.  It was Murder by Numbers.   Clear out the paint and have your bigger, stronger, more physical guards drive against the smaller guards.
6.   One day, I want MU to be Walking in (V's) footsteps.   

MU was simply overmatched.    Competitive for a while, and then Nova happened.   As someone who appreciates good basketball, I can't even be that angry.    Nova tonight was magnificent.    I wish it hadn't happened to MU, but it did.    Now, it is in the hands of the committee.     FWIW, I don't think MU has played their last game at MSG this year.   

[cheese ball chaser]

NCAA or NIT, I'm with this team. The future is bright.

[Hards Alumni]

Someone better call the Police, this loss may Sting on Sunday.

[#UnleashSean]

I feel for Rowsey.

[Dish]

I don't know what it ended at, I know Nova shot 68% in the second half, but deep in the second half, they were at around 74% from 3 in the second half, it was ridiculous.

There was literally nothing MU could have done tonight, I don't think MU even played that poorly. Nova was just not losing tonight, period.

[tower912]

They found the proverbial 'another gear'.   

[MattyWarrior]

Whats wojos record at MSG in four  years?

[JustinLewisFanClubPres]

Great synergy in the thread title and OP.

Nova is a great team. We aren't them but I think we came out tough and fought as long as we could. I've been frustrated by Rowsey at times this year but hate to see him go out like that. He's a tough kid and a unique offensive talent. He absolutely belongs at this level. Glad he is one of ours. And frankly, I'm jealous of the money he'll make playing bball in the future.

Fingers crossed for Sunday. If not, still generally optimistic for the future.

[mileskishnish72]

  I don't think MU has played their last game at MSG this year.   

What's the NIT format? Don't we have to win some games to get back to MSG?

[Newsdreams]

I don't know what it ended at, I know Nova shot 68% in the second half, but deep in the second half, they were at around 74% from 3 in the second half, it was ridiculous.

There was literally nothing MU could have done tonight, I don't think MU even played that poorly. Nova was just not losing tonight, period.

They were at over 100 eFG% at one point I think they ended North of a 100, JB ?

[Shark]

This team has been a roller coaster but if this game set you off wtf is wrong with you? Nova is probably the best team in the country. We have one senior. We're gonna be a coin flip on Sunday but that's kinda what we all could have hoped for going into the year.

[Lighthouse 84]

I can't.  I can't. I can't stand losing...

[Dr. Blackheart]

MU banged up.  Boys gave it their all but boys vs. men.  Andrew hits 1000 points at two D1 schools.  Special.  Need some major athletes to move up

NIT here we come!

[Dish]

Len Elmore doesn't like MU's chances to make the tourney...I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

[warriorfred]

Len Elmore you say . . . No point in watching the selection show.

[mug644]

Despite the same record and better RPI than last year, this team was Murder(ed) by Numbers.

[skianth16]

The most positive takeaway for me the last two nights has been Sacar. We knew he was our best defender all year, but his offensive game has improved by leaps and bounds this year. He had a couple of 3's in the BET that looked almost as smooth as the Big 3. I'm excited to see him continue to improve.

[Its DJOver]

The most positive takeaway for me the last two nights has been Sacar. We knew he was our best defender all year, but his offensive game has improved by leaps and bounds this year. He had a couple of 3's in the BET that looked almost as smooth as the Big 3. I'm excited to see him continue to improve.

Sacar had a good two days but I'm still extremely high on Greg and Jamal, both have a little mikal bridges in them, and that can only be seen as a good thing

[Bad_Reporter]

Really proud of the team tonight. I really hope Rowsey gets to play in the NCAA tourney. I couldn't help but feel awful for him tonight.

I don't get how anyone can be mad.  It was beautiful basketball Nova was playing and they're simply an awesome, well coached, well run, team. I'll be rooting for them and the rest of the BEast.

[mug644]

The most positive takeaway for me the last two nights has been Sacar. We knew he was our best defender all year, but his offensive game has improved by leaps and bounds this year. He had a couple of 3's in the BET that looked almost as smooth as the Big 3. I'm excited to see him continue to improve.

I agree but he took two threes in a row during the second half drubbing that he really should not have taken (at least the second). He's most effective when he attacks the basket, and that's been a great part of his improvement.

[cheebs09]

Len Elmore doesn't like MU's chances to make the tourney...I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

I'm now confident in our chances. Did he think our lack of NYC guys hurt our chances?

[Its DJOver]

I'm now confident in our chances. Did he think our lack of NYC guys hurt our chances?

I'm still convinced that Elmore doesn't know what a travel is after that Pitt game however many years ago.  Sam Young, I tell ya what

[TSmith34, Inc.]

1. Watching the way Villanova played, it wasn't a tough loss to take at all.  They were incredible tonight.

2. I am really, really glad I avoided the game thread.  Glancing at it after the game...when Sand is the calm voice of reason something is seriously wrong.

3. I can't even find a player to dislike on Nova.  I guess I'll have to settle for hating Philadelphia.

4. Wouldn't at all mind seeing Nova win it all again.

5. Let's pray for an 11 seed play-in game, otherwise a strong run in the NIT

[dgies9156]

1) I had low expectations for this game, so I am not at all disappointed. I saw no way with the money on the line that Villanova would lose. They are a great team and a team for which the Big East should be proud.

2) The game showed how far we still have to go to be as good as we want to be. There were moments in the first half, yes, where we stayed close, but Villanova showed the difference between our talent, our team and our coaching and their's. We're getting better but we have a ways to go.

3) Help is on the way. The question is whether Wojo can take what we have and what's coming and mold what Jay Wright seems to do year in and year out.

4) I'd love to see us in the NCAA but candidly, I'm don't have a lot of enthusiasm for either the NCAA or the NIT. If NCAA, we'll get creamed by the second round -- or sooner depending on who we play. If NIT, what's the point?

[TallTitan34]

I thought the refs did a great job tonight.  Much better all around from yesterday.