Sports and Rants with Brett and Pants : Villanova

Saint Joseph’s University plays their biggest rival, the Villanova Wildcats this Saturday at 1:00 at the Pavilion. While the Hawks chances of winning are slim, we hope the team can hold their own. Villanova has several players that can easily put up 15 points a game, however instead they choose making a difference in other ways. Last year Pinkston and Arcidiacono were the leaders of the team. This year they are contributing in other ways. They aren’t forced to lead the team. If St. Joes’ plays stride for stride with Villanova, there will be a feeling of accomplishment among the team.

Villanova’s greatest strength is their depth. It is the reason why they are ranked 10^th in the country. Depth allows a basketball team to do more throughout the game. A team with depth is not limited with what they can do. SJU fans are seeing the Hawks develop into team with more depth. The previous game against Temple, Isaiah Miles led the team to a victory. St. Joes’ recruited Miles to do exactly what he did against Temple, pick up offensive rebounds and put them into the hoop. Miles had totaled 9 rebounds. James Demery was recruited as a wing guard to attack the basket with ease. He had clutch shooting that propelled the Hawks to victory against LIU Brooklyn. The team is developing better than expected. As the season progresses, we will see more players making bigger contributions to the team like Miles and Demery has.

It is great to see that DeAndre Bembry does not have to lead the team or play at top of his game. Number 43 on the Hawks was not guarded by the opposing team’s top defender last season like he is this season. Bembry is not going to be putting up 20 plus points consistently. DeAndre only has put up more than 20 points two out of the seven games this season. Other players are picking up the slack from Bembry’s struggle to perform. Even though Bembry is not putting up as many points as many

experts thought, DeAndre is making a difference in other ways. He is averaging the most assists per game on the team.

The Hawks can contend against Villanova. In order for Bembry and the rest squad to have a chance they have to perform at the top of their ability on Saturday to have a chance. No matter how it ends, they will grow together. We are seeing the team form an identity.

-Pants

Half Hour Hawks - Geoff Arnold - Discusses the Villanova Rivalry with us