November 1, 2027
We have four senior scholarship players this year: guards Devin Guzman and Charles Vancleave, forward Bruno Le Fleurquin, and big man Jose Blanco.

Guzman, BLF, and Blanco have all been starters. There are players behind each of them in the pipeline who should be ready to step in once they leave, but in some cases, they're upperclassmen. Right now, we have only four big men on scholarships, so I decided it wouldn't be a bad thing to bring in multiple post players--especially if at least one of them is athletic enough to slide out to the wing.

As we prepare for training camp, we have three players signed for next season.

Coach Sims has traditionally recruited well in New Jersey. Stars like Joe Lien, Daniel Warnock, and Carter Todd all came to Lafayette from the Garden State. He's kept the Jersey connection strong at Villanova, signing signed five-star prospect Avery Sullivan in his first VU recruiting class. This year's class will include two more Jersey boys.


Blake Norton dreamed of playing for Villanova from the day he first picked up a basketball. He's developed into a solid three-star player, and while some might think a program like Villanova shouldn't pursue the #213 player in the country, I think Blake does enough of the right things to be a very solid addition to our program.

He's not a dazzling scorer in high school, so he probably won't be one in college, either. He's a traditional point guard who concentrates on directing his team's offense, taking care of and distributing the ball. Look at his assist/turnover ratio! I'd prefer Blake to be a lockdown defender-in-the-making, but he won't hurt us when the other team has the ball. Interestingly enough, he's better at defending in the post, despite being only 6'0".

From the town of Somerville, in central New Jersey, we welcome forward Tony Ezell to the Wildcat basketball family. He's the top-ranked power forward in the East, and one of the ten best prospects at his position in the nation.


Tony is the kind of player I mentioned earlier; he plays the four as a high schooler, but his lean frame might make him better suited to play on the wing for us. He hasn't been a high-volume shooter, but his ability to create shots is already high-major quality. He's also a willing rebounder and defender.

I especially like the fact Tony chose us over Georgetown and Lafayette. :)

The borough of Cochranton is located in northwestern Pennsylvania. It's home to about 1100 people. Cochranton Junior-Senior High School, home of the Cardinals, has an enrollment of under 400 students, grades 7-12. One of them is Lowell Welter, who happens to be one of the best high school basketball players in the country.


Lowell scores with a variety of post moves, but he also displays good form on his jumper and could develop into a very good outside shooter. He is "country strong," a ferocious rebounder who believes every missed shot is his to claim.

He grew up rooting for Pitt, and the Panthers recruited him heavily, too. But there's now a Villanova pennant hanging in Kay's Cardinal Country Restaurant, above the booth where Lowell likes to demolish huge helpings of corned beef hash.

November 7, 2027

Here's the roster for the 2027 national finalist Villanova Wildcats:


How did training camp go?

Coach Graham Sims' first season at Villanova didn't end until the final buzzer of the national championship game. The Wildcats watched Big East rival Georgetown lift another trophy, and it's made them eager to write a different ending to this season's story.

This year's team features four players who started at least 25 games last season. Forward Bruno De Fleurquin delighted 'Nova fans when he announced he'd be returning to school for his fifth year. Not content with last year's successes, the popular French-Canadian star set a powerful example for his teammates with his relentless work in camp. BLF has made significant gains in the most important aspects of his game, and should be one of the Big East's most dynamic stars.

Fellow senior Jose Blanco started 26 games last season, filling in whenever one of Coach Sims' frontcourt players couldn't answer the bell. He was the team's second leading scorer and rebounder (behind BLF in both categories). He might not be relied upon as heavily to put points on the board this year, but opponents will have to guard him honestly.

Another fifth-year senior, Devin Guzman, returns to the point guard spot. This transfer from Stanford, who led last year's team in total minutes played, emerges from camp as an even more creative passer and reliable ballhandler. He's also worked on his shot, which betrayed him for much of last season.

The fourth returning starter is junior guard Jacob Allen. After a season in which he improved his field goal percentage by 50 points from the year before, he's refined his trademark skill even more. Allen is far from a specialist shooter, though; he will also do his part on defense.

Going into camp, Coach Sims hadn't committed to giving highly touted freshman center Avery Sullivan a place in the starting five. Sullivan, however, made such strides in preseason that he locked down his spot. The five-star recruit seems well on his way to achieving his potential as a dominant inside force. He's already being talked about as a future lottery pick.

Redshirt junior Duncan Sims came from Lafayette with his dad, and after sitting out a year, will serve as the Wildcats' sixth man. He's a versatile guard who, like Allen, is best known as a shooter but can also run the point and defend tough opponents.

Corey Hicks will also get some run as a reserve wing. He'll spend another year as a valued reserve, and Coach Sims fully believes his patience and hard work will pay off in a starring role in his last two years as a Wildcat. Corey is a particularly promising three-point shooter.

Through no real fault of their own, Charles Vancleave and Richard Pray will find playing time tougher to come by. Vancleave, a senior, could find his way to the court as a defensive stopper. Junior Pray is, simply, a less accomplished version of the same sort of player as Allen, Sims, and Hicks.

Frontcourt depth could be this team's Achilles heel. If Caleb Blaney can begin to deliver on the potential that made him a highly regarded recruit in the Class of '25, he'll go a long way to solve this problem. Caleb is more of a finesse big who doesn't rebound like a big man.

First year guard Kelley Van Houten and sophomore post Joshua Parkin round out the cast of scholarship players.



Poll voters are high on the Wildcats, and after looking at their roster, it's easy to see why. There's a Blue player at every position in the starting lineup and Green guys filling out the rotation. Coach Sims has the personnel to run his trademark man-to-man defense, with some matchup zone mixed in.

If this team can stay healthy, it might be cutting down the nets next April.

November 14, 2027
Philadelphia Invitational, First Round
(2) #3 Villanova 75, (7) Arkansas 62
The opening game in the Philly Invitational doesn't go according to plan, but we pull out a win over a pesky Arkansas team.

Bruno Le Fleurquin, Jacob Allen, and Duncan Sims combine for a total of 9 points. Fortunately, Jose Blanco cuts loose for 24, with 8 rebounds, and Caleb Blaney asserts himself with 11 off the bench.

Avery Sullivan enjoys a quiet, efficient first game, making 4 of 7 shots, scoring 8 points, and grabbing 6 boards. Devin Guzman (8p/7a) provides a steady hand.
Record: 1-0.


November 16, 2027
Philadelphia Invitational Semifinal
(2) #6 Villanova 87, (3) Missouri 60
We fall three places in the polls, dropping behind several teams that have already won three or four games, and it seems to inspire the boys to punish the Tigers for this slight.

Jose Blanco (23p/11r) plays like a grown man again tonight, and this time BLF (15p/13r) is just as assertive. Jacob Allen (11 points) and Duncan Sims (11p/3a, 6-6 from the line) also play better.

We commit too many turnovers and miss quite a few shots, but when the game ends, the scoreboard still looks very good.
Record: 2-0.


November 18, 2027
Philadelphia Invitational Championship Game
(2) #6 Villanova 81, (4) Ohio State 73
A delighted crowd at the Wells Fargo Center watches the Wildcats defeat Ohio State to lift the Philly Invitational trophy.

The Buckeyes, who upset North Carolina to earn a spot in the final, have problems unlocking the Villanova defense. They shoot 33.8% from the field and miss 13 of their 21 three-point tries. Meanwhile, Villanova gets 20 points and 9 rebounds from Bruno Le Fleurquin, 6 points and 10 boards from Avery Sullivan, and 14 points off the bench from Duncan Sims. Caleb Blaney (9p/2s) again plays well.
Record: 3-0.


November 21, 2027
@#6 Villanova 98, #17 Lafayette 75
Hoops fans in eastern Pennsylvania have come to treasure Villanova-Lafayette matchups. To their credit, Villanova fans are more charitable to the Leopards than they are to many opponents, for which Graham Sims is very appreciative.

The warm feelings don't prevent the 'Cats from asserting their will, however. Jose Blanco (23p/9r) and Bruno Le Fleurquin (18p/10r) win most of their battles against Lafayette big men Porter Prado (16p/10r) and Bret Bryant (14p/6r/6 turnovers). Corey Hicks has his first big game, with 15 points, and Charles Vancleave adds 10 more. Duncan Sims (7p/4a) also plays well on his return to his home town.
Record: 4-0.


November 24, 2027
@#1 Villanova 96, #6 Kansas 78
Villanova fans greet Kansas coach Douglas Gillum, Villanova '84, with a heartfelt standing ovation. Older fans remember Gillum as a player. Many of them know him as a respected, Hall of Fame-worthy coach, and they're proud of his connection to their university. Coach Gillum just turned 65. How many more times will he visit his alma mater as an active coach? Is this the last one?

At the same time, they are even more proud of the Wildcats' #1 ranking. Graham Sims has coached a national champion, but he's never coached a top-ranked team. There's something about entering a game as the nominal best team in the country.

Then we go out and play like that team. It's 58-41 at halftime, and the crowd cheers wildly as the players leave the court for the locker room. Kansas plays better in the second half--we win that half 38-37--but they can't cut the lead any more than that.

It is as complete a performance as any of Graham's teams have ever delivered, and it happens on a very big stage.

Record: 5-0.

December 1, 2027
The town of Apolda is located in the Thuringia region of Germany. It's the birthplace of Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a local tax collector who was the first to breed the protective, intelligent breed of dog that bears his name.

Apolda is also the birthplace of Clemens Schwaiger, a large young man who puts the power in "power forward." As of today, Clemens is also the fourth and final member of our recruiting class.


Clemens is a classic big man who does most of his work close to the basket on both ends. He is most definitely a work in progress, but we believe he can--and will--develop into a well-rounded player who can shoot midrange jumpers, handle the ball and pass it, while still dominating the low block.

With Schwaiger, Tony Ezell, and Lowell Welter, we're balancing out our roster with three young big men. They'll join Avery Sullivan to create a deep, versatile frontcourt in the seasons to come.

December 2, 2027
#1 Villanova 94, @Drexel 72
We travel 11 miles down the Main Line to Drexel, where a capacity crowd watches the Dragons play a bit better than the score line might indicate. They make half their shots, and are actually better from three-point range than we are (9-18, while we're 7-18). We force 22 turnovers, however, and commit only 8 ourselves.

All five of our starters hit double figures, plus sixth man Duncan Sims. Bruno Le Fleurquin is high man with 21, while the others all finish with between 11 and 14. Devin Guzman hands out 8 assists, Sims contributes 5 more, along with 5 rebounds.
Record: 6-0.


December 4, 2027
@Stanford 96, #1 Villanova 93
Two days later, we travel 2,894 miles to Palo Alto to play Stanford, who joined us in the Final Four last March. Perhaps because we've just traveled across the continent, we fall behind 54-38 at halftime. A spirited second-half comeback falls just a bit short.

The Cardinal's sophomore point guard, Carl Young, amasses 16 assists, which is probably the most any player has recorded against us. Jacob Allen leads us with 21 points; BLF adds 17; Corey Hicks and Avery Sullivan contribute 10 each. Duncan Sims scores 7 with 5 assists.

We'll probably lose our #1 ranking when next week's polls come out. It was fun while it lasted.
Record: 6-1.


December 12, 2027
@#6 Villanova 98, Brown 48
Graham welcomes his former assistant, Chris Kiger, back to Finneran Pavilion, but the niceties don't last much longer than an initial handshake and hug.

The Bears have no answers for the power duo of Jose Blanco and Bruno Le Fleurquin. The senior forwards combine for 59 points (31 for Jose, 28 for Bruno), shooting 26-for-35. Blanco also grabs 13 rebounds, blocks two shots, and makes two steals.

Brown drops to 2-7, and Coach Kiger's seat is, unfortunately, growing very warm. His record in Providence is now 28-42.
Record: 7-1.


December 16, 2027
@#5 Villanova 92, Siena 82
Thomas Liang, however, has his Saints team playing very well this year, and they bring an 8-1 record to town a few days later. A member of Graham's original staff at Lafayette, Coach Liang prepares his team well, but they simply don't have quite enough talent to upset us.

Bruno Le Fleurquin (18p/15r) and Jose Blanco (17p/12r) continue to play well, but Jacob Allen (22p/2b/2s) is even better tonight.

We're averaging 90.4 points per game, the most in the nation. Our team shooting percentage of .530 also ranks first, and our .454 mark from three-point range is third.
Record: 8-1.


December 21, 2027
@#4 Villanova 87, Bucknell 56
At the beginning of the season, Jose Blanco was projected as a second-round pick in the upcoming professional draft. I wonder if the experts are rethinking his potential now?

Jose records his fourth double-double in 10 games (19p/12r). Only two Big East players have more; they each have five. Jacob Allen (18 points), Duncan Sims (13) and Avery Sullivan (11) provide scoring assistance, and BLF just misses a double-double of his own (9p/11r).
Sims and Sullivan each contribute 6 rebounds, and Devin Guzman adds 7 assists.
Record: 9-1.


December 27, 2027
@#5 Villanova 77, Eastern Kentucky 65
I like scheduling Graham's former assistants' teams, and new EKU coach Zane Lockhart is the latest protégé to come back for a visit. The 3-8 Colonels put up a game fight, trailing by only four points at halftime.

Coach Lockhart's team also frustrate us with annoyingly good defense. We shoot only 43.4%, and we make only 8 of our 25 three-point attempts. Jose Blanco, Jacob Allen, Bruno Le Fleurquin, and Devin Guzman all finish with between 13 and 10 points. BLF adds 11 rebounds.
Record: 10-1.


December 31, 2027
@#5 Villanova 90, Virginia 70
We bid farewell to 2027 with a comfortable victory over the Cavaliers at Finneran Pavilion.

Our scorers score (Jose Blanco 21, BLF 18, Jacob Allen 14). Our rebounders rebound (Blanco 12, BLF 8). Our passers pass (Devin Guzman 5, Blanco 5, Duncan Sims 3). It's a nice way to close out the calendar year.
Record: 11-1.


January 4, 2028

Graham Sims hasn't been at Villanova for long, but Georgetown has already established itself as his primary antagonist. They're certainly a traditional rival; many 'Nova fans consider the Hoyas their biggest rival of all, and almost all would put them on the short list. And they're so good right now. Graham has lost seven games at Villanova, and three of those losses were inflicted by Georgetown. Save the date: we'll play them, at their place, on February 16.

We've nosed in front of Pitt to become the second most prestigious program in the conference, behind those Hoyas. And speaking of Pitt, what's going on there? They've lost at Tennessee State and Presbyterian, and Illinois State beat them by 27 points at home.

And speaking of prestige, which programs rank highest in this category, after nearly two decades' worth of history in this universe? Let's peek at the editor and find out:


While we're in the editor, let's see where Coach Sims stands among the coaches who have reached the highest levels of their profession:


Many of these names are somewhat familiar, aren't they?

Not surprisingly, Douglas Gillum stands alone at the top, our universe's only Level 14 coach. I wonder if some of the outstanding coaches who were older when my game was created and have already retired reached Level 14. I'm thinking Floyd Bartley might have, and perhaps Stephen Rubalcaba.

Below Coach Gillum is a group that contains some of the former Bright Young Things who have rivaled Graham for the title of "best young coach," such as Joseph Owens, Blaine Boyd, and Tracy Norton.

Who's the most talented assistant coach in our universe? It's Larry Smith, who is now Zack Lott's right-hand man at Stanford. Coach Smith, age 54, was the head coach at Duke for years, and won 359 games there. He's a sidekick with more game than most superheroes.

Graham's recruiting coordinator, Edward Volkman, is one of five assistants who have reached Level 10. Coach Volkman (age 33) is also the second most talented coach in his thirties, behind Lance Lamb, the 37-year-old Level 11 head man at Pacific.

January 5, 2028
@4 Villanova 91, Pittsburgh 51
Blaine Boyd's Panthers come to the Pavilion and receive a beating that's similar to the ones Graham's Lafayette teams occasionally laid on the weaker members of the Patriot League. It hasn't been a great year for Coach Boyd or his team.

We shoot 60 percent from the floor, and a giddy 68.2 percent (15-22) from distance. Jacob Allen (28 points, 7-9! from three) and sixth man Duncan Sims (18 points, 3-5 from three) are the leading sharpshooters. Devin Guzman achieves a career high with 10 assists, and Avery Sullivan (11p/7r) plays quite well in his first Big East game.
Record: 12-1 (1-0).


January 8, 2028
West Virginia 64, @#4 Villanova 60
May I redistribute the 154 points we scored this week in a different way, please? As well as we shoot on Wednesday, we shoot badly today: 32.8% and 27.3%, overall and from three point distance, respectively. We also turn the ball over 18 times, which I really don't like. Six of our players end the game with at least four personal fouls, which limits how aggressively we can defend the Mountaineers. When you play this way against a good team like WVU, you're going to lose, and we do.

Jose Blanco scores 15 of our points, with 7 rebounds. Devin Guzman scores 13 with 4 assists before fouling out.
Record: 12-2 (1-1).


January 12, 2028
#6 Villanova 73, @Louisville 63
A trip out west to Kentucky puts us back on the winning track, as we open up an 18-point lead in the first 20 minutes and cruise to victory.

Bruno Le Fleurquin (12p/7r), who had been struggling so far in conference play, picks it up a bit today. Jose Blanco (15p/8r) and reserves Corey Hicks (10p/5r/3a) and Duncan Sims (10p/4a) provide quality assistance.

Shout out to Charles Vancleave, who hands out 4 assists in 13 minutes of court time.
Record: 13-2 (2-1).


January 15, 2028
#6 Villanova 60, @Pittsburgh 49
A quirk of the Big East schedule has us traveling west to Pittsburgh today, which means half of our conference games have featured the Panthers. They're 6-10 this season, which makes this quirk not so bad. We hold Pitt to a total of 100 points in two matchups this season.

With the exception of big man Scot McCarty (14 points), whom we recruited when Graham was at Lafayette, we lock the Panthers down defensively. Meanwhile, Panther nemesis Jacob Allen scores 16 for us. Devin Guzman adds 11 with 7 assists, and Corey Hicks produces 10 with 5 rebounds in a reserve role. BLF scores only 4 points--he hasn't done much offensively in a while--but he dominates the boards with 13.

We are in a group of six teams who are 3-1 in Big East play so far, right behind--you guessed it--Georgetown.
Record: 14-2 (3-1).


January 19, 2028
#5 Villanova 85, @Connecticut 82
Connecticut is to the Big East as Virginia is to the ACC: a team whose performance in my universe doesn't approach its real life achievements. The Huskies' prestige is 63, which places them in the lower reaches of the conference. They're 4-11 this season, which won't help that mark.

UConn is, however, still capable of playing good basketball, especially at home. It's all we can do to squeak out a three-point victory.

Will we look back and identify this game as the coming-out party of Avery Sullivan? The freshman center scores a career-high 17 points, his 9 rebounds are one short of another career best, and he blocks 2 shots. Jacob Allen (18p/4a), Jose Blanco (15p/6r), and Bruno Le Fleurquin (10p/9r) make up a solid supporting cast.

The outcome spares Duncan Sims' blushes. With 10 seconds left, the 6'3" guard attempts to put an exclamation point on the victory with a dunk. He misses it, much to the delight of the UConn fans.

"That looked like me out there," his dad Graham says. "I remember dunking exactly once."

"Duncan's actually pretty good," Corey Hicks adds. "He can't jump like I can, but he's had some good dunks here and there.

"We might call him No More Duncan now, though."
Record: 15-2 (4-1).


January 22, 2028
@5 Villanova 73, @#16 Notre Dame 63
While we were beating Connecticut earlier this week, the Fighting Irish were knocking off Georgetown, 61-60, at the Joyce Center. As a result, five teams enter today's play atop the Big East table, all with 4-1 records.

Two of them are us and Notre Dame, which makes this big win even bigger.

Jose Blanco sets the tone for us: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. Bruno Le Fleurquin (14p/8r), Duncan Sims (12p) and Jacob Allen (11p) play well, too.

Now there are three teams sharing the top spot: Georgetown, West Virginia, and Villanova. We've lost to WVU, and they've lost to the Hoyas, so we're technically in third place.
Record: 16-2 (5-1).


January 26, 2028
@#4 Villanova 72, Cincinnati 58
Jacob Allen drains 6 threes, en route to a 28-point performance, as we take care of business against the struggling Bearcats.

Allen is ably supported by Jose Blanco (19p/9r), Corey Hicks (10p/7r), and Devin Guzman (5a/0to).
Record: 17-2 (6-1).


January 29, 2028
#4 Villanova 73, @Syracuse 57
We've tightened up our team defense considerably in Big East play. Tonight, we hold the Orange to 31 percent shooting, including 18 percent from behind the arc, and pull away to a tidy victory.

23 more points from the red-hot Jacob Allen spark our offense. Our only other double-figure scorer is Devin Guzman, with 12. Big men Avery Sullivan and Jose Blanco score only 10 points between them, but they each snare 10 rebounds.

The unsung hero is walk-on center Bernie Pfister, a 6'11" freshman from Cowanesque Valley High School in Westfield, PA. Big Bernie plays 5 minutes and rejects 2 shots.

Notre Dame goes to West Virginia and hands the Mountaineers an 86-82 defeat. This leaves us and Georgetown alone atop of the Big East standings.
Record: 18-2 (7-1).

February 2, 2028
@#4 Villanova 96, Seton Hall 67
Another struggling Big East team comes to the Pavilion and finds Graham Sims' team more than they can handle, at least tonight.

Jacob Allen continues to score at a high volume; tonight he drops a career-high 34 points on the Pirates. Included are 7 three-pointers in 12 attempts. Jose Blanco (16p/13r) completes a solid double-double, and Bruno Le Fleurquin (13p/8r) falls just short of one. Duncan Sims scores 10 points with a Villanova career high 6 assists off the bench.
Record: 19-2 (8-1).


It really is so much fun to be part of a competitive conference.

It might be a good time to check out the polls, too:

The beat goes on at Lafayette, where Douglas Richbourg's Leopards remain the standard by which all mid-major programs are judged. This year's stars are junior center Porter Prado (19.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG), senior forward Bret Bryant (14.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.8 APG), and sophomore guard Tod Quiroz (13.5 PPG). Bryant makes his way onto a lot of mock drafts as a second round pick.


February 5, 2028
#4 Lafayette 65, @#18 West Virginia 52
We win a tough road game in a fashion that fans of fundamental basketball would approve.

We execute our offense methodically, taking 57 shots and making 26 (45.7 percent). We're selective but accurate from behind the arc (8-for-14). We don't let a good team force us to turn the ball over (12 turnovers), while we force them into mistakes (22 turnovers forced). We hold the Mountaineers to 37 percent shooting. Center Don Jones, who destroyed us the last time we played against him, only takes 4 shots all night and finishes with 3 points.

Bruno Le Fleurquin scores 16 for us, and he complements his scoring with 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Devin Guzman hands out 8 assists, and Jacob Allen adds 13 points.

The victory over West Virginia gives Graham Sims a string of 16 consecutive 20-win seasons. His first Lafayette team went 18-14, and his streak began the next season. There are several coaches whose teams have won at least 20 games every year in our universe, but not many.
Record: 20-2 (9-1).


February 9, 2028
@#4 Villanova 89, DePaul 64
Back at the Pavilion, the Wildcats take a 54-34 lead into the locker room at halftime and build their advantage a bit more after the break.

Five players reach double figures: Jose Blanco (24p), Devin Guzman (17p/5r), Jacob Allen (14p) BLF (13p/16r/2s), and Duncan Sims (12p). Avery Sullivan grabs 9 rebounds and blocks 2 shots.

After the game, Graham gets some bad news from Lafayette. Bret Bryant went down in the Leopards' game against Bucknell and had to be helped off the floor. He's torn his ACL, and his storied Lafayette career is now over.
Record: 21-2 (10-1).


February 12, 2028
@#4 Villanova 90, Syracuse 66
We celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday with an honest 24-point victory over the visiting Orange.

Jose Blanco scores 11 of his 21 points at the free throw line and adds 5 rebounds. Lincoln was our 16th president, and Duncan Sims honors him with 16 points. Jacob Allen (14p), Bruno Le Fleurquin (11p/6r), and reserve Corey Hicks (8p/6r in 23 minutes) also acquit themselves well.
Record: 22-2 (11-1).


February 16, 2028
@#2 Georgetown 80, #4 Villanova 74
We visit the Capital One Arena with a chance to knock the Hoyas from the top spot in the Big East.

With a national TV audience watching, we fall behind, 50-39, at the half. Graham Sims and Wallace Hastings trade strategic adjustments, and the 'Cats claw their way back into the game. A three from Bruno Le Fleurquin cuts Georgetown's lead to 78-74 with 22 seconds left, but that's as close as we can come.

We know we can't bang the ball inside against the Hoyas' Twin Towers, 7'3" Dwayne Ecker and 7'0" Jimmy Cahoon. We shoot 16-for-30 from behind the three-point line, and 10-for-27 inside it. Given that focus, it's not surprising that our reserve sharpshooters are our high scorers; Duncan Sims and Corey Hicks finish with 15 points each. Hicks goes 5-for-6 from distance, Sims 4-for-5.

The Hoyas force us into 20 turnovers, and that's probably the deciding factor. We're now 0-4 against them since Graham arrived at Villanova.
Record: 22-3 (11-2).


February 19, 2028
#4 Villanova 94, @Marquette 59
We bounce back strong with a satisfying victory in Milwaukee, with solid contributions from everyone in Graham Sims' rotation.

Jacob Allen leads us with 24 points and 6 assists, matching Devin Guzman's total. Jose Blanco nets 20 points and grabs 7 rebounds. BLF (15p/11r) posts a double-double. Avery Sullivan (11p/7r/4b/3a) demonstrates his wide variety of basketball skills. Corey Hicks comes off the bench to score 13. Duncan Sims' shot isn't falling, but he contributes 3 assists, a steal, and his second blocked shot of the season.

We hold the Golden Eagles to 33.9% from the field and harry them into 20 turnovers. It's fun when things come together like this.
Record: 23-3 (12-2).


February 23, 2028
#5 Villanova 88, @St. John's 74
We slip a place in the polls after our loss at Georgetown, and fall behind by three points at St. John's before getting back on course and seizing a victory.

Bruno Le Fleurquin (19p/11r) records his seventh double-double of the season. Jacob Allen adds 15 points, and three reserves (Duncan Sims 9, Charles Vancleave 9, Corey Hicks 7) combine for 25 points.
Record: 24-3 (13-2).


February 26, 2028
@#5 Villanova 80, Providence 68
Behind 23 points from BLF and a balanced double-double from Jose Blanco (14p/14r), we dispatch the Friars at the Wells Fargo Center.

A dominant Avery Sullivan scores 7 points, snares 6 rebounds, and blocks 6 shots. We're getting contributions from a wide range of players as we head into March, and that's a good thing.
Record: 25-3 (14-2).


March 1, 2028
@#4 Villanova 86, Rutgers 82
We pull out a hard-fought victory against a tough Rutgers team, while Georgetown loses a wild one at Connecticut, 99-96...in their first game after moving back to the #1 spot in the polls.

Bruno Le Fleurquin fires in 23 points. Jacob Allen adds 13 and 7 assists. Sixth man Duncan Sims scores 11. Avery Sullivan rejects 3 more shots.

We'll need some help from Rutgers, who host the Hoyas in their final conference game, but there's a chance we can end the season as Big East champions.
Record: 26-3 (15-2).


March 4, 2028
@#4 Villanova 68, South Florida 53
Bruno Le Fleurquin saves the best for last, scoring a career-high 28 points in his final home game as we celebrate our seniors with a victory over South Florida. He adds 10 rebounds for good measure.

BLF's classmates play with honor too. Jose Blanco scores 14 points and snags 7 rebounds. Devin Guzman scores 8 points, with 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Charles Vancleave would like a redo, however; foul trouble limits his effectiveness in his 15-minute stint.

We shoot terribly (2-for-18!!) from three-point distance, but our inside play carries us across the line.

Behind 30 points from Louis DiCarlo on his Senior Day, Georgetown routed Rutgers, 93-69, so the Hoyas win the Big East regular season title and will take the #1 seed into the conference tournament.
Record: 27-3 (16-2).

March 9, 2028
Big East Tournament Quarterfinal
(2) #3 Villanova 105, (7) Connecticut 73
We have a double bye in the Big East tourney, so we don't take the court until the third day. When we do, we score more points than any Villanova team Graham Sims has ever coached. A 62-point second half turns a close game into a rout.

Three Wildcats score over 20 points: Jose Blanco (26p/7r), Jacob Allen (22p/4r/4a), and Bruno Le Fleurquin (21p/8r). Devin Guzman supplies the scorers with 7 assists. In nine minutes of action, Richard Pray explodes for 11 points.
Record: 28-3.


March 10, 2028
Big East Tournament Semifinal
(2) #3 Villanova 61, (6) Pittsburgh 47
The semifinal is a very different game, a gritty, defensive contest with a Pitt team that upset West Virginia the night before. Neither team makes 40 percent of its shots.

Jacob Allen (18 points) and BLF (15p/10r) are our only double-figure scorers. Avery Sullivan stuffs the scoresheet with 9 points, 7 rebounds, a block, and a steal.

Georgetown defeats Louisville in the other semifinal, so it's us against the Hoyas in the final...again.
Record: 29-3.


March 11, 2028
Big East Tournament Championship

It takes five tries, but Graham Sims and the Wildcats finally get the better of the Georgetown Hoyas, and they get to lift the Big East tournament championship trophy.

Georgetown leads by five at the half. The Hoyas' big men, Dwayne Ecker and Jimmy Cahoon, limit Jose Blanco and BLF, and the 'Cats are slow to adjust.

The teams emerge from their locker rooms and lock in; the Wildcats' solid man-to-man defense holds the Hoyas scoreless until the first media timeout, and after the pause, Le Fleurquin knocks down a 12-footer from the left baseline to tie the score at 46.

Over the next seven minutes, Villanova opens up a five-point lead, our biggest of the game. Georgetown bounces back, as you'd expect the #1 team, with a coach like Wallace Hastings, to do. With three minutes remaining, we lead 69-68.

Jose Blanco makes one of two free throws with four seconds left to put us ahead, 74-70. Lance Moore's last-second three can only bring the Hoyas to within a point.

The Player of the Game is Duncan Sims, whose long-range shooting keeps us in the game in the first half and helps us hold the lead in the second. He hits three clutch three-pointers and made all five of his free throws on the way to a game-high 16 points in 19 minutes.

Jacob Allen adds 13 points. Jose Blanco finishes with 12, and Devin Guzman contributes 10 with 7 assists.

The victory gives Coach Sims his sixth consecutive 30-win season: four with Lafayette, and the last two here at Villanova. It also ought to clinch a #1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
Record: 30-3.

March 12, 2028
Our victory over the Hoyas impresses the pollsters.

The last time we were ranked #1, we promptly lost our first game. Let's hope that doesn't happen again!

We're seeded first in the East Regional. If we win, we could face Siena, coached by Graham's former assistant Thomas Liang. Lafayette is also in the East, seeded #7.


March 17, 2028
NCAA East Region, First Round
(1) #1 Villanova 73, (16) South Alabama 46
There's no drama in our opening game, as we dispatch the Jaguars, as expected.

Jacob Allen leads the way with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Bruno Le Fleurquin scores 13, Corey Hicks gets 10 off the bench, and Jose Blanco (10p/10r) barely completes a double-double.

Siena can't get past Mississippi State, so our reunion with Coach Liang unfortunately won't happen.
Record: 31-3.


March 19, 2028
NCAA East Region, Second Round
(1) #1 Villanova 77, (7) #21 Mississippi State 57
We punish the Bulldogs for eliminating Coach Liang's team from the tournament.

The stars include Jacob Allen (20p), Jose Blanco (14p/7r), sixth man Duncan Sims (13p), BLF (10p) and Avery Sullivan (5p/9r/4b).

Lafayette will join us in the Sweet Sixteen. They won an overtime thriller against Towson, 99-95, and rout Bryant by 20 today. They face West Virginia next, while we'll meet Boise State.
Record: 32-3.


March 24, 2028
NCAA East Region Semifinal...the Sweet Sixteen
(1) #1 Villanova 94, (5) Boise State 60
We have little trouble with a good (25-10) Boise State team, forcing turnovers, playing stout defense, and scoring in a variety of ways.

We're led by Jacob Allen, whose 29 points include 6 threes and a perfect 7-7 from the line. Jose Blanco (23p/10r), Corey Hicks (12p/5r), Devin Guzman (10p/5a) and Avery Sullivan (11r) are also shine.

Lafayette trounces West Virginia, 78-42. You'll remember we lost to the Mountaineers at home back in January. One of the teams you know well will therefore make the Final Four, at the expense of the other one.
Record: 33-3.

March 26, 2028
NCAA East Region Final...the Elite Eight


Graham Sims' current team eliminates his former team and earns its second consecutive trip to the Final Four.

It's a much closer game than the regular season matchup between these two teams, which ended with a 98-75 Villanova victory. The Wildcats overcome a bizarrely bad day of three-point marksmanship, as they miss all 10 of their long shot attempts.

Bruno Le Fleurquin, who's had a rough tournament so far, bounces back with a strong game, and the reliable Jose Blanco does Jose Blanco things.

Caleb Hamilton, a juco transfer who arrived at Lafayette as Graham Sims was leaving, completes his collegiate career today. And it's a poignant moment for his classmate Bret Bryant, who watches the game from the bench, a heavy brace on his surgically repaired knee. I can't help but wonder if the presence of Bryant, now a 7'0" small forward with a wide array of skills, would have changed the outcome of today's game. Bret's best friend is Duncan Sims, who embraces him warmly after the final buzzer sounded.

The Final Four is now set, and it's full of great storylines. We'll face Douglas Gillum's Kansas team, while Georgetown takes on Texas on the other side of the bracket.
Record: 34-3.

April 1, 2028
NCAA National Semifinal...the Final Four


We advance to the national championship game for the second straight year with a victory over the powerful Jayhawks.

Our three senior starters play like men who don't want their collegiate careers to end. Devin Guzman conducts our offense like a maestro, generating more turnovers than he commits and setting up 7 baskets. Bruno Le Fleurquin uses his size and strength against his smaller opponents, scoring 9 baskets, all inside the paint. And Jose Blanco adds to his reputation as one of the best big-game players I've ever seen.

When Coaches Douglas Gillum and Graham Sims embrace at the conclusion of the game, Coach Gillum leans close and says something, very quietly, to his younger counterpart. Only these two men know what Coach Gillum's message is.

Texas beats Georgetown, 85-69, so we won't have yet another Villanova-Georgetown battle in the championship game. Forgive me for not being sorry about that.
Record: 35-3.

April 2, 2028

Let's take a look at our opponent, on the eve of the national championship game.


Longhorns coach Thaddeus Dorton has been on the job in Austin since our universe began. His 2011/12 team won the national championship and lost in the final in 2016/17. A string of disappointing seasons in which the Longhorns never made it out of the first weekend of the tournament followed, and their prestige dropped from 100 to 89. Last year's team made it to the Elite Eight, raising their prestige back to 91.

The Longhorns play tenacious defense, ranking among the nation's top teams in many defensive categories. Point guard Charlie Nicholson and power forward Roscoe Olivo are especially good defenders.

A balanced offense is led by another senior, Leonicio Montero (14.9 PPG). Nicholson (12.8 PPG, 4.2 APG) and sixth man Robert Glidden (10.5 PPG) can also find the basket, and teams have to defend James Clary (10.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG), Greg Bono (9.4 PPG) and Olivo (9.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG) honestly, too.

The Longhorns are a poised, veteran team. Ten of their scholarship players are juniors or seniors; six are in their final season. But, at the same time, they have some weaknesses that Graham Sims and his team hope to exploit. The Longhorns take a lot of three point shots, and only Bono and Glidden are especially good at making them. Forcing Texas to try to win the game that way could work well for the Wildcats.

April 3, 2028
NCAA Championship Game

The Villanova Wildcats are the 2027/28 NCAA Division I men's basketball champions!

It's the first national championship for the Wildcats, and the second for their coach, Graham Sims.

An exciting first half sees the lead change hands several times. 'Nova takes a 43-38 lead into the break, as Duncan Sims sinks a three and hits two free throws in the final 66 seconds of the half.

The 'Cats hold their lead until the 5:25 mark of the second half, when Robert Glidden ties the score by hitting both ends of a one-and-one. Neither team can open up a lead of more than two points during the remainder of regulation time. With ten seconds left and Texas leading, 74-72, Longhorn defenders lose track of Bruno Le Fleurquin. Sims spots him, gets him the ball, and BLF scores on a nifty baseline drive. Leonicio Montero tries a game-winning three and misses. On to overtime we go.

Again, the teams pass the lead back and forth for much of the extra period. Jonah Tuck gives the Longhorns a 79-76 advantage when he rebounds Greg Bono's missed free throw and slams it home.

On our next possession, Avery Sullivan demonstrates his top-tier athletic ability. He misses a short jumper from the left side, bursts past two Longhorns, grabs the ball, and dunks with authority to cut the lead back to one. Then, Jacob Allen swipes a pass and takes it all the way for another dunk. With 1:04 on the clock, we have the lead, and we don't relinquish it again.

Jose Blanco scores the final basket of our season a moment later, when Allen gives the ball to him on a 2-on-1 break. Jose finishes with a team-high 19 points, and combined with his other achievements, it's enough to earn him Player of the Game honors.
Record: 36-3.

Awesome, Congrats!

Thanks, Chas! I was fortunate that the Villanova roster I inherited was set up to allow me to coach the team the way I wanted. In fact, that was a big reason why I made the move when I did. I could tell the core players would work well in the kind of system I used at Lafayette.

I'm not sorry Texas took care of Georgetown for me in the other semifinal. I don't think our team matched up well with the Hoyas. They were so good defensively--it was hard to find a way to attack them, because they could defend both the post and the perimeter so well.

William Bogard, a junior guard who gave us fits, is entering the draft. I was hoping their center, Dwayne Ecker, would turn pro too, but he's returning for his senior season. Oh, well; it's fun to have a worthy arch-rival to contend with.

Thanks for following along and commenting. I hope you'll enjoy the story as it continues!

April 4, 2028

Let's look first at the national awards.

The Big East was the home of outstanding first-year players this year. And I think the positional designations hurt Georgetown's freshman big man Jimmy Cahoon here. Jimmy was listed as a center, but started every game for them at PF. His numbers (10.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.8 BPG) were very good. No offense to Chris Evan, but I'd probably have voted for Cahoon over him.

And I'm so proud of Bret Bryant, first team All-American. I hope his knee injury won't curtail his professional career too much. Seven-footers who can do the things Bret can do are very rare.


Winning Big East honors is a notable accomplishment, so warmest congratulations are due to Jose and Avery for jobs well done.

Graham has now been voted Coach of the Year in his conference eight times: seven in the Patriot League, and now in the Big East, too.

April 8, 2028


First in the polls; first in RPI; national champions. What a wonderful season!

This year's Wildcats had one of the most productive offenses in the nation. Michigan State could also make a claim for the top spot. We were good defensively, too, and that combination was enough to win us a national championship.




I love how balanced this year's team was. I could adjust our game plan for different challenging opponents, because we had so many weapons. Jose Blanco and BLF could run rampant over teams that didn't feature a strong post presence. Jacob Allen, Corey Hicks, and Duncan Sims feasted on teams that lacked perimeter defenders. Devin Guzman made sure the right people got the ball in position to score. Everyone did his part on the boards, and everyone played D.

I hadn't planned on writing Senior Farewells yet, but I also didn't plan on winning a national championship. These men deserve one last chance to take their bows.

2027/28 Senior Farewell

CHARLES VANCLEAVE

It couldn't have been easy to be Charles Vancleave.


Recruited out of Canada as a three-star player by James Glazier, Charles started 14 games as a freshman and earned a spot on the Big East All-Freshman Team. Playing for a new coach, Mark Pulliam, as a sophomore, Charles didn't start, but played more minutes. Unfortunately, Charles wasn't as productive his second year. The arrival of Devin Guzman and the emergence of Jacob Allen forced Charles into a much less prominent role.

To his credit, Charles complained very little, and I found a way to get him into most games for a few minutes. He did his job well, allowing our starting guards to catch their breath while playing exceptionally good defense.

Charles is an intelligent, congenial man who has always represented Villanova well. He plans to stay here and complete a master's degree in education.

Thanks for the memories, Charles.

Senior Tribute 2027/28

DEVIN GUZMAN

After playing a total of 17 minutes in two seasons at Stanford, Devin Guzman decided to leave the familiarity of his native California, travel across the country, and join the Villanova basketball program. Devin arrived at the same time Coach Sims did, and I'm very glad it happened.


A quick look at Devin's progression reveals his commitment to being the best player he could be. He developed into an ideal point guard--featuring a solid handle, creative passing, and hard-nosed defense. Devin also worked on his jump shot until it became a weapon, too, making almost 42 percent of his three-point attempts as a senior.

Despite only playing two seasons in Villanova colors, Devin ranks fifth in career assists as a Wildcat in this universe.

Devin would like to play pro basketball, and he's open to the possibility of playing overseas. Perhaps another journey lies ahead for him.

Thanks for the memories, Devin.

2027/28 Senior Tribute

BRUNO LE FLEURQUIN

At the end of his junior season, the player who's perhaps better known as BLF was considered a likely first round selection in the pro draft. However, after playing in the national championship game--and losing--Bruno Le Fleurquin decided to return to the Main Line for one more dance.

Now he and his teammates will have a national championship ring, and Bruno's performance was a big reason why.


Bruno arrived on campus as one of the most highly touted recruits in Villanova history, a five-star talent who was considered one of the top ten players in his class. The Quebecois forward spent two seasons as a valuable reserve before Graham Sims elevated him to the starting lineup.

BLF's size and strength made him difficult for smaller wings to cover. When the other team had the ball, he could lock down dangerous perimeter players, and we often matched him against our opponent's best wing.

He leaves as our fourth all-time leading scorer, and our second all-time leading rebounder. He fully expects to hear his name called on Draft Night. We wish him well as he represents us in "the league."

Thanks for the memories, Bruno.

2027/28 Senior Tribute

JOSÉ BLANCO

In 17 years as a head coach, Graham Sims has never coached a player who showed up for big games as impressively as José Blanco. (In about the same number of real-time years as a sports simulation player, I've never coached a player who showed up for big games as impressively as José Blanco.) It's therefore fitting that José ends his career with a championship ring, after playing like a champion in the biggest games of his life.


José was a respected prospect as a high school senior, but not a "can't miss" future star. Perhaps that's why my predecessors at Villanova didn't use him much. I admit I first envisioned him as my seventh man, the first big off the bench. He got his chance to start when Bradley Christmas, and then BLF, got hurt. José took his chance and never looked back.

Through hard work, José became a top-tier physical force, the strongest man in our program and one of its leaders in our fitness testing. He also polished his inside moves until he could get his shots against the toughest post defenders in the Big East. He is our sixth all-time leading scorer, and our fourth all-time rebounder.

Recent mock drafts list José as a likely second-round pick, and he'd like to continue playing basketball at the professional level. But even if he doesn't, he'll always have this season, and his reputation as the man who balled out when his team needed him most.

Thanks for the memories, José.

April 8, 2028

Draft Night brings enjoyable news to Villanova Nation. Bruno Le Fleurquin is a lottery pick, going 7th overall. And José Blanco, whom the "experts" were listing as a mid-second-round choice, hears his name called in the first round instead, at #21!

Graham Sims is also delighted to discover that two players he recruited and coached at Lafayette are also professional draft picks. Despite his injury, Bret Bryant impresses pro scouts enough to be the #25 pick. Center Porter Prado, who's entering the draft as an underclassman, is taken at #54. Bret, of course, was a first-team All-American and the Patriot League Player of the Year. Porter joined him on the all-conference first team.

Let's look at the national recruiting class rankings this time.

This year's class doesn't include a five-star player (I would have guessed the #19 player in a class would earn a fifth star, but apparently not).

The top player in the class is Orval Juan, a 6'8" post player from Ohio who has signed with Pitt. Guard Eugene Storm was rated more highly, but he failed to qualify academically. I'll look to see if he enters the game as a junior college recruit in two years.

Georgetown's class is highlighted by wing Steven Waites, the #6 player in the class. And look at Lafayette, with a solid class headed by guard Ellsworth O'Reilly, ranked #67 overall.

Six of the 21 most highly-regarded classes were recruited by Big East schools. Unless we're all wrong about these players, the Big East will continue to be one of the nation's most competitive conferences for several years to come.

May 1, 2028

Our national championship resulted in a boost to our prestige. It now stands at a perfect 100. Our Facilities score is an excellent 92, which ranks fifth in our league.

Successful programs often see their assistant coaches move on to better positions. This year, it's our scouting director, Chris Hogue, who accepts the head coaching job at IPFW.

Our board has approved a budget of $800,000 for the season, and we use $180,000 of it to hire one of the most promising young coaches around. Daniel Bryant is only 25 years old, but in the three years since he graduated from Wisconsin, Coach Bryant has developed a remarkable ability to evaluate basketball talent. For that more-than-comfortable salary, our program will get a 100-level scout.

Graham Sims levels up this year. He's now a Level 13 coach, and after I max out his Recruiting and Defense scores, I distribute the rest of his points evenly between the remaining two categories.


Sometime early in the 2028/29 season, Coach Sims should celebrate the 500th victory of his coaching career. Barring a catastrophe, he'll reach that milestone before he turns 50.

May 1, 2028

When Douglas Gillum whispered to Graham Sims after his Jayhawks lost to Sims' Wildcats in last month's Final Four, he told Graham something only a few people--his wife, his children, his AD, and his players--knew. That game was Coach Gillum's farewell, as he announces his retirement a few days later. He retires with a career record of 491-104. His victory total and career winning percentage (.825) both rank second in our universe's history.

Coach Gillum is not the only legend to retire this spring. Mervin Heron of North Carolina also hangs up his whistle. Coach Heron completes his career with a 481-109 record and a .821 winning percentage, posting the third most wins and the fourth highest winning percentage.

Kansas turns to another veteran, the well-traveled Joshua Williams. Coach Williams, 63, spent eight seasons at Florida; before that, he had the head jobs at Wyoming and Miami (Ohio). Coach Williams boasts a career record of 386-184. Forgive Gator fans for feeling betrayed right now; Coach Williams is a Florida alumnus.

The new man at North Carolina will be Benton Brimmer, who moves to Chapel Hill from the University of Tennessee. Coach Brimmer, 54, has a career record of 417-169, and he took two Vols teams to the Final Four.

Second place on the leader board for career victories among active coaches now belongs to Kenneth Burroughs of Southern California. Coach Burroughs has a career mark of 475-128 and, like Graham, he's won two national championships.


May 1, 2028
Two rising sophomores have decided to transfer from our program. One is a walk-on, David Betts, who didn't get in a game last season. The other is guard Kelley Van Houten, whom I was excited about signing in the fall of 2026. Kelley V would have played more this season, but he grew impatient and chose to leave. He'll try his luck at Nebraska this season.

I offered a scholarship to Jack Pilkington, an Aussie guard whom I saw when we played West Virginia last season. He decided to transfer to Texas, where there will be a well-defined role for him on a roster depleted by graduation.

Pilkington was the only player I liked who was interested in coming to Villanova. We'll have a slew of scholarships to offer to recruits this season.

November 1, 2028

We began our recruiting season with five scholarships to offer, so we could basically field a full team with players from the Class of '29. As the defending national champions, we attracted attention from several of the top players in the country...including one who lives six miles from campus.

Three players have committed to us already. Let's meet them, shall we?

The first comes to us from across an international border. Coach Glazier had significant success recruiting in Canada, where he found Charles Vancleave and Bruno Le Fleurquin. We think we've found a Canadian star, too: power forward Kris DeMello.


There's nothing fancy about Kris. He doesn't venture far from the basket on either end of the floor. He has a repertoire of no-frills post moves on offense, and we believe he could develop a decent mid-range game. He is an active rebounder and defender, and he is good at blocking shots.

Kris might have to be patient and pay his dues as a younger player before he's ready for Big East basketball. That plan worked well for players like José Blanco, who is now playing basketball for a living.

On the same day DeMello gives us his commitment, we hear good news from a very promising guard from Virginia.

Justice Stafford is from suburban Richmond. Despite being generously listed at 5'9" and 162 pounds, he's a consensus five-star recruit and one of the best players at his position in the Class of '29.


Justice's well-rounded skill set will enable him to fill varied roles in our lineup. With some diligent work, his jumper could develop into a fearsome weapon. He dribbles and passes well enough to serve as a facilitator. An intelligent player, Justice plays very sound fundamental defense.

Our roster is thin at PG, so there's a chance Justice might start for us from Day One, perhaps teamed with current first-year Blake Norton.

A perfect storm comes together this summer. A year after Villanova wins the national championship, the best high school player in the United States is a senior at a school fifteen minutes from campus.


Asher Wise's father played college basketball at Haverford, and his mother played soccer at Mount Holyoke. Early on, it became obvious their only son was destined for greater things athletically.

There are few things Asher can't do on a basketball court. He enjoys playing defense, so we won't have to forsake our team's identity to accommodate his talent. He can handle the ball and passes it unselfishly. However, Asher's premier skill is his ability to shoot. His stroke is smooth and deadly, with range well beyond the three-point line. By the time his collegiate career ends, he might be the best shooter in the nation.

We will almost certainly have Asher with us for only three years. But if he lives up to his potential, they'll be a lovely three years.

November 5, 2028

The defending NCAA champions' roster looks like this as we begin the 2028/29 season:


A year ago, Graham Sims knew precisely what each of his most important players could do, because he'd seen them play their roles before. This season, Coach Sims and his staff have many more unanswered questions.

Jacob Allen is as close to a sure thing as anyone in a Villanova uniform this season. He should be; he's started 108 games in his collegiate career. Allen is the very definition of a shooting guard, with a smooth jumper that is accurate from long range. He was the team's leading scorer last year (15.3 PPG). Jacob is also the team's best perimeter defender.

The team's other returning starter is sophomore center Avery Sullivan. Sully largely lived up to the hype he received as a high schooler, starting every game and making the national All-Freshman Team. Last year's team relied heavily on José Blanco and Bruno Le Fleurquin for inside scoring. Both those men were first round picks in the last pro draft, so Sullivan will be relied upon to play a more important role this season. We're looking forward to discovering if the improvement Sully made in camp will translate to results on the court.

Redshirt senior Duncan Sims will get his first opportunity to start this year. He's made his reputation as a shooter, primarily from behind the arc, where he's a career .435 marksman. Sims spent camp refining his shot, but he also dedicated himself to the core skills a point guard in his father's system needs: ballhandling and defense. Some draft gurus are pointing to Duncan as a sleeper choice in the next professional draft.

The remainder of the starting five is a work in progress. Senior Richard Pray has earned the right to have the first shot at the small forward position. He's as much of an unknown quantity as a senior can be; he's never averaged 10 minutes per game for a season. In his limited appearances, Pray has been a solid player, making nearly half his shots and providing some sound defense.

If Pray falters, junior Corey Hicks will move into the starting five. Hicks averaged 25 minutes per game last year, basically serving as a sixth starter. Like Sims, Hicks has made his mark as a dangerous shooter off the bench; also like Sims, he pays more attention to guarding his opponent than most players of this type.

Which of three freshmen will be the starting power forward? Tony Ezell is the most advanced offense player. Clemens Schwaiger is the most resolute defender. Lowell Welter is the most balanced player. All three worked hard in camp, and all three will receive playing time, The winner will be the one who shows the highest degree of readiness for Big East action.

Freshman guard Blake Norton and big men Caleb Blaney and Joshua Parkin will comprise the rest of the reserve corps. Norton is an apprentice facilitator. Blaney is an unusual athlete, a 6'9" player who will not rebound. Parkin hasn't developed very well, so the talented young big men Coach Sims has recruited have passed him by.

Here's the roster, including each players' potential:


A year ago, the Wildcats could field fully-developed Blue players throughout the starting lineup, and brought Green guys off the bench. This year's squad is undoubtedly talented, but it's younger and far less seasoned.

I slipped up and let the computer AI create our non-conference schedule and it gave us a very easy one. "Oh, great," I thought...until I remembered how many questions we still need to answer about this year's team. It might be better to experiment against Fairfield and Wofford than Kansas and Vanderbilt.

November 5, 2028
Coaches' Invitational, First Round
(1) #2 Villanova 103, (16) Loyola Marymount 51
Corey Hicks comes off the bench to score 23 points, highlighting an easy victory in the first round of the Coaches' Invitational.

Hicks also provides 6 assists and 5 steals in 23 minutes of action. Jacob Allen knocks down 6 threes, scores 21 points, and makes 3 steals. Avery Sullivan just misses a double-double (12p/9r). Duncan Sims runs into foul trouble and doesn't shoot well (3 points), but he dishes out 7 assists and grabs 5 rebounds.

The "unknown quantities" play well, too. Richard Pray scores 11. Lowell Welter (12p/9r/2b), Tony Ezell (12p), Clemens Schwaiger (4p/4r/2b), and Blake Norton (5p/5a in 14 minutes) enjoy successful collegiate debuts.
Record: 1-0.


November 6, 2028
Coaches' Invitational, Quarter Final
(1) #2 Villanova 80, (9) Tulane 63
Jacob Allen continues to play like a star, with 21 points and 3 steals as we advance to the semifinals.

Duncan Sims is the only other Wildcat in double figures (14p/5a/5r), although his shooting touch is still AWOL (2-for-11 from distance). Avery Sullivan scores 6 points and claims 11 rebounds.
Record: 2-0.


November 12, 2028
Coaches' Invitational Semifinal
(1) #2 Villanova 100, (12) Xavier 76
We hit the century mark for the second time in three games, eliminating the upset-minded Musketeers and moving on to the tournament championship game.

Avery Sullivan plays the best game of his career to date: 23 points, 10 rebounds. Jacob Allen adds 18 points more. Duncan Sims scores 11 and records a career-high 9 assists. Richard Pray scores 10 points with 8 rebounds.

We commit only 9 turnovers, a major improvement over our first two games.
Record: 3-0.


November 13, 2028
Coaches' Invitational Championship
(1) #2 Villanova 73, (2) #4 Southern California 69
We pass our first tough test of the season, knocking off Kenneth Burroughs' Trojans to win the Coaches' Invitational.

Coaches Sims and Burroughs enter the game with a combined total of 979 career victories. Graham comes out ahead this time, and it's the 500th victory of his coaching career. Graham's career record now stands at 500-104.

Even better, he gets to share the moment with his son Duncan, whose play was a major reason for the victory.
Record: 4-0.

November 20, 2028
@#2 Villanova 72, Buffalo 56
Veteran fans say they've never heard a crowd at the Finneran Pavilion make so much noise. Even the hardest-hearted among them smile, and more than a few wipe away tears, as they watch the 2028 NCAA championship banner rise to the rafters.

When the game begins, Duncan Sims takes over. His 25-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist, 2-steal performance helps the 'Cats pull away from a feisty Buffalo team. Jacob Allen adds 13 points, and Avery Sullivan contributes 10. The seven players with the most playing time all grab at least 4 rebounds.
Record: 5-0.


November 22, 2028
@#2 Villanova 98, Hartford 78
Five Wildcats score in double figures as we defeat the Hawks.

Richard Pray leads the way with a career-high 18 points. Joining him are Duncan Sims (14p/4a/3r/2s), Jacob Allen (13p/5s), and Corey Hicks (12p/5r/3s). We commit 18 turnovers, which is too many, but we force the Hawks into 27 of their own.
Record: 6-0.


November 26, 2028
#2 Villanova 72, @Wofford 56
Our trip to South Carolina goes well, and we return with a 16-point victory that features balance.

Avery Sullivan (14p/8r/3s) is our leading scorer. Tony Ezell (12p/6r) plays well in his first career start. Duncan Sims (10p/5a), Corey Hicks (10p) and Richard Pray (10p/7r/4a) join them in double figures, and it's Pray who is named PoG for his all-around contributions.
Record: 7-0.


November 29, 2028
@#2 Villanova 80, Fairfield 72
Jacob Allen emerges from a mini-slump to lead us to victory over the Stags at the Pavilion.

Allen scores a game-high 22 points with 3 steals. Avery Sullivan (12p/7r/3b), Duncan Sims (11p/4r), and Corey Hicks (10p/5r/4a) provide solid support.

We've scored almost at will so far this season, but our defense has been less impressive than our usual standard. Hopefully this won't spell trouble once the Big East schedule gets underway.
Record: 8-0.

December 1, 2028

There's more good news from the recruiting front. Coaches Sims and Volkman have worked more of their magic, and we've secured a commitment from five-star guard Peter Segal.


At first glance, it might be difficult to see how Peter could be one of the top guards in the country. He isn't a big scorer; he's not a dazzling ballhandler and passer; he doesn't leap out of the gym. But he does all these things fairly well, and he plays better defense than any guard I've ever recruited. He never seriously considered playing anywhere else, but he took his time with his commitment, just to be extra sure.

Peter is quick and athletic enough to lock down the most talented perimeter players. And even though he's 6'3" and slender, his solid fundamental skill enables him to defend much larger post players, too.

We shouldn't need Segal to score much, not with players like Asher Wise in his class and other scorers, like Tony Ezell and Avery Sullivan, in the classes just ahead of his. If Peter, the latest in a string of New Jersey prep stars to play for Graham Sims, can neutralize our opponent's top player, he'll more than suitable for purpose.

We have one more scholarship available, and we're still hoping to add another post player

December 4, 2028
#2 Villanova 86, @Maine 58
It's cold in Maine in December, and our shooters never seemed to warm up completely tonight. Jacob Allen was a notable exception, and his 17 points (including 3-for-5 from long range) led all scorers.

Lowell Welter scored 15, doing all his damage within five feet of the basket. Duncan Sims scored 11, but he needed 12 shots to do it. Avery Sullivan added 10 more.
Record: 9-0.


December 9, 2028
@#2 Villanova 96, Drexel 62
Six 'Nova players scored at least 10 points in another pleasing, balanced victory.

Avery Sullivan (17p/5r), Duncan Sims (14p/6r/5a), Richard Pray (12p/4a), Jacob Allen (12p), Corey Hicks (11p/4r/4a) and Lowell Welter (10p/6r) all make positive impacts. When everybody is doing something, nobody has to do everything.
Record: 10-0.


December 15, 2028
#2 Villanova 93, @Illinois State 47
Duncan Sims missed a free throw tonight, but that's just about the only thing he did wrong. The senior tied a Villanova record with 9 three-point baskets (in only 10 attempts) and scored a career-high 31 points. Sims contributed 3 assists and 4 rebounds.

Jacob Allen was nearly as dominant, scoring 27 points of his own and hitting 8 of 10 treys. Taken together, the Villanova backcourt shot 20 threes at an .850 pace.

Lowell Welter (12r) and Avery Sullivan (10r) reached double figures in rebounds. Blake Norton packed 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists into 22 minutes of action.
Record: 11-0.


December 17, 2028
@#2 Villanova 73, George Mason 71
A scrappy George Mason team that starts no player taller than 6'6" came into the Pavilion and nearly upset the #1 team in the nation. The Patriots' Heri Suarez misfires on a late three-pointer that would have given his team the victory.

The Wildcats' high scorer is Tony Ezell, who finishes with a career-high 16 points. Jacob Allen adds 14; Richard Pray contributes 10; Avery Sullivan barely misses a double-double with 9 points and 11 rebounds.
Record: 12-0.


December 20, 2028
#1 Villanova 98, @St. Francis (NY) 48
The newly crowned #1 team in the nation closes out calendar year 2028 with a romp over the Terriers in Brooklyn.

Jacob Allen balls out, scoring a career-best 35 points. He attempts 16 threes, making 9 of them to tie the record his teammate Duncan Sims recently also tied. Sims makes 3 of 5 from distance, en route to 13. Richard Pray also nets 13, Tony Ezell 11, and Avery Sullivan 10.

Allen also leads us in rebounds with 7, and Sims has the most assists with 5.
Record: 13-0.


December 31, 2028

The voters swap us with Georgetown atop the polls again this week. The Hoyas finish the voting with 1779 points to our 1743. Stanford is third, with 1647.

There are FOUR Big East teams in the top 10. Two more are ranked in the top 20. The conference season is going to be a series of epic battles.

We'll have to fight them without Richard Pray. Despite an Intelligence rating of 70, Richard receives word that due to his poor academic performance, he will be ineligible to play for the remainder of the season. Since Richard is a senior, this suspension ends his Villanova career.

Richard had established himself as a solid member of our starting five, averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Corey Hicks will move into the starting lineup, which now features three guards.

January 3, 2029
@#2 Villanova 87, #7 West Virginia 72
Calendar year 2029 begins with a big Big East win against a Top Ten opponent.

Duncan Sims again demonstrates how far he's come in his journey to becoming a true lead guard. He scores 22 points, sinking 4 of his 10 three-point attempts. He grabs 6 rebounds, makes 3 steals, hands out 6 assists, and commits only 2 turnovers. Corey Hicks scores 15 in his first career start; it's his 90th appearance for us. Jacob Allen adds 15 more, and Caleb Blaney contributes a career-high 13.

We catch up with Herschel Middlebrooks, whom we recruited at Lafayette. He's transferred to WVU, where he's a reserve point guard. Hersch leads his team with 15 points off the bench.
Record: 14-0 (1-0).


January 6, 2029
#2 Villanova 65, @Cincinnati 63
A Duncan Sims three-pointer with 29 seconds left turns out to be the game-winning basket, as we barely escape defeat on the road.

Duncan finishes with 13 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds, a point short of team leaders Tony Ezell and Corey Hicks. It's not a pretty game for us by any means; Sims commits 5 turnovers and we make only 5 of our 23 three-point tries.

Still, a win is a win.
Record: 15-0 (2-0).


January 10, 2029
@#2 Villanova 89, Providence 82
The Friars have struggled a bit this season, but they come into the Pavilion with an attitude. After falling behind by 11 at halftime, they battle back and nearly spoil our evening.

Jacob Allen (18p/6r/4a) and Duncan Sims (18p/3s) are joint high scorers. Blake Norton scores 13 in only 12 minutes, and Avery Sullivan (9p/5r/4b) and Tony Ezell (7p/7r) control the inside.
Record: 16-0 (3-0).


January 13, 2029
#2 Villanova 90, @Syracuse 65
The Orange haven't had a great season, either, but they are still a tough opponent, especially at home. That's why this victory feels especially satisfying. We shoot 59 percent overall, and 47 percent from distance.

Tony Ezell has made the most of his opportunity as a starter; today, he scores 21 points, collects 10 rebounds, and blocks two shots. Avery Sullivan adds a forceful double-double: 14 points, 15 rebounds. Caleb Blaney is carving out a role as an explosive scoring option off the bench, and today he nets 14 points in 18 minutes.

There's been a different star every night, and I like that vibe.

Meanwhile, Georgetown loses at Seton Hall, so we take over first place in the Big East.
Record: 17-0 (4-0).


January 17, 2029
@#1 Villanova 95, DePaul 71
Several minutes into the second half, Tony Ezell draws a charge and goes down hard. When he comes up, he's holding his wrist and grimacing. The freshman forward doesn't return to the game, and we later learn he'll be out for approximately two weeks.

That news dampens an otherwise positive mood, as we celebrate our new #1 ranking with another decisive victory at the Pavilion.

Jacob Allen leads all scorers with 22 points. Caleb Blaney steps up again with 14 more, and Avery Sullivan matches him, while also contributing 8 boards and 2 blocks. The biggest honors go to Duncan Sims, who gives us his first career double-double: 14 points and 13 assists, with 6 rebounds and 2 steals, too.

Duncan's assist total ties him for second all time. Severiano Tipaldo, our program's all-time assist leader, handed out 14 helpers twice and 13 on two other occasions.
Record: 18-0 (5-0).


January 20, 2029
#1 Villanova 83, @#12 Pittsburgh 64
Jacob Allen isn't considered a pro prospect, and I can't figure out why.

He torches the Panthers for 28 points, adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Avery Sullivan (18p/7r), Duncan Sims (18p/8a/6r, 4-8 from three), and Corey Hicks (5 steals) all play well, and Lowell Welter pulls in 7 rebounds in his return to the starting five.

USC's Kenneth Burroughs records career victory #492 tonight, moving him ahead of Douglas Gillum into second place on the leader board.
Record: 19-0 (6-0).


January 24, 2029
@#1 Villanova 62, St. John's 61
A very good St. John's team comes to the Wells Fargo Center, and forces us to hit a game-winning three with 22 seconds left.

The hero is Jacob Allen, whose dagger gives him 17 points for the night. Duncan Sims (15p/5a/4r/2s) and Corey Hicks (10p/3r/3a) join him in double figures.

There's more bad news from the trainers' room, however. Avery Sullivan rolled his ankle, and he's expected to miss our next two games. Unfortunately, the first of those two contests is a trip to #2 Georgetown.
Record: 20-0 (7-0).


January 27, 2029

These rival programs, the two best teams in college basketball deliver the kind of close game you'd expect from them. Both teams are limited by injuries to outstanding young post players, which forces their teammates to stand and deliver.

For a moment, it looks like Duncan Sims would be on the hook for a mistake the Hoyas would never let him live down. After Lowell Welter sinks a free throw to put us ahead, 69-68, with 1:13 remaining, we make a key defensive stop. On the ensuing possession, Sims throws a terrible pass that sails out of bounds, giving the home team a full 30 seconds to set up a game-winning basket.

First, freshman Lance Moore fires up a three and misses. His 7'3" teammate, Dwayne Ecker, grabs the rebound and the Hoyas reset. The Villanova defense bears down and forces the Hoyas to take a shot they don't want: a twelve-footer by Ecker from the right baseline. It misses, and that's the ballgame.

Two sophomore stars play very small roles today. Georgetown's Jimmy Cahoon misses the game with a sore knee. Our Avery Sullivan insists on suiting up and plays four minutes.
Record: 22-0 (9-0).


January 31, 2029
#1 Villanova 69, @#22 Louisville 63
After a frightful first half in which we score only 22 points, we rally to defeat the Cardinals in Louisville tonight.

Jacob Allen makes only 4 of his 13 three-point attempts, but that qualifies as "good shooting" for us tonight. Our other high-volume shooter, Duncan Sims, misses all 7 of his threes. Allen finishes with 26 points, and although Sims scores only 5, he finds other ways to contribute (5a/5r).

We ease Avery Sullivan and Tony Ezell back into the starting lineup, because both are listed at 90% efficiency or higher.
Record: 23-0 (10-0).

February 1, 2029


This year's standings contain some data points that reveal just how tough a conference the Big East really is. Three ranked teams who rolled through November and December have losing records in conference play.

We're in control of our own fate when it comes to the conference championship. We end our regular season with a trip to UConn, but we're otherwise finished playing against the top contenders.


February 3, 2029
#1 Villanova 75, @#16 West Virginia 57
Balance, balance, balance.

All five starters score at least 9 points. All three frontcourt players grab 8 rebounds, and a guard pitches in with 5 more. Corey Hicks (15p/8r/2s) is named Player of the Game, and he deserves it. His 15 points are our team's high total, one more than Avery Sullivan contributes. Sully blocks 3 shots for good measure.
Record: 23-0 (10-0).


February 4, 2029
We're a unanimous choice for the #1 ranking in the latest media poll.

It's fun to see Lafayette is still producing good teams. The Leopards' record since Graham Sims left is 79-19, and they're 30-6 in the Patriot League. They look like they'll romp to another conference championship this season, too.


February 7, 2029
@#1 Villanova 87, Cincinnati 60
Behind 30 points from Jacob Allen, we storm to a 27-point victory over the Bearcats. Allen lifts his career total to 1828 points, passing Titus Pound '25 (1812) and moving into second place on the all-time list. He's on pace to take the lead away from James Martin '22 sometime this month; Martin finished his career with 1887 points.

Allen adds 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Tony Ezell (11p/4r), Avery Sullivan (10p/4b), and Duncan Sims (10p/5a) join him in double figures. Corey Hicks makes 5 steals.
Record: 24-0 (11-0).


February 10, 2029
@#1 Villanova 66, Rutgers 60
Rutgers does a very good job of keeping our high-flying offense in check, and nearly pull off an upset at the Wells Fargo Center.

Jacob Allen (15p/4a) finds just enough room to score. Avery Sullivan (12p/5r/2b) and Tony Ezell (12p) are quietly efficient; Sully does much of his damage from the line, where he goes 8-for-9. In fact, it's free throw shooting that wins this game for us. We make 29 foul shots, to the Scarlet Knights' 5.

The rest of the Big East keep beating each other up, and that allows us to open up a three-game lead in the conference race.
Record: 25-0 (12-0).


February 14, 2029
@#1 Villanova 82, Marquette 87
Cupid is a bit of a trickster. Did he try to work his mischief at the Pavilion this Valentine's Night?

Some Villanova students' post-game dates might have been spoiled if the Wildcats had squandered much more of the 16-point halftime lead they established. Corey Hicks (25p/9r/4a) undoubtedly picks up a few more crushes, and Avery Sullivan (13p/11r) and Duncan Sims set some hearts aflutter, too.
Record: 26-0 (13-0).


November 17, 2029
@#1 Villanova 86, Notre Dame 65
Nine three-pointers (in 16 attempts)and 32 points from Jacob Allen give the 'Cats another conference win. Jacob passes James Martin to become our all-time leading scorer.

Duncan Sims (14p/4a/3r) and Corey Hicks (12p/5r/3a) also score in double figures. Tony Ezell (9r) and Avery Sullivan (7r/2b) do big man things well.
Record: 27-0 (14-0).


November 20, 2029
#1 Villanova 73, @South Florida 63
We clamp down defensively on the Bulls, forcing them to launch 35 threes. They hit only 10 of them, which is a big reason for our victory.

Avery Sullivan (13p/12r) posts another double-double, and adds 4 blocks for good measure. Tony Ezell leads us with 15 points, and Jacob Allen and Duncan Sims score 14 each. Duncan's final basket gives him 1001 points for his career, with the first 298 coming in a Lafayette uniform.

With three games remaining, we clinch at least a share of the Big East regular season championship.
Record: 28-0 (15-0).


February 24, 2029
@Providence 69, #1 Villanova 66
The Friars defend their home court tenaciously tonight, and snap our winning streak at 42 games. Our last defeat happened over a year ago, on February 16, 2028, when we lost at Georgetown.

We had a chance to send the game to overtime, but the Friars made sure the man who took the last shot was unlikely to hurt them. Avery Sullivan, who has taken three shots from behind the arc in his career without success, missed, and that was it.

Duncan Sims (16p/5r/4a) leads the 'Cats in scoring. Jacob Allen adds 15, and Caleb Blaney 11 more off the bench. Sullivan blocks 4 shots.

We shoot 36.5% for the night, and only 61.5% from the line. It's hard to win games in the Big East when you shoot like that.
Record: 28-1 (15-1).


February 28, 2029
@#1 Villanova 71, Seton Hall 63
We send our three seniors out in style, coming from behind to win their final game at Finneran Pavilion.

Again, we don't shoot well, and the Pirates lead us, 38-36, at the half. Fortunately, we play solid defense all night long, and our shots start falling in the second half.

Senior Duncan Sims splashes 4 of his 8 threes, scoring a game-high 19 points; he adds 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Senior Jacob Allen, closing in on 2000 career points, finishes with 12 points and 5 boards. Senior Caleb Blaney runs into foul trouble and finishes with 6 points and 3 rebounds. Avery Sullivan contributes 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
Record: 29-1 (16-1).


March 3, 2029
#1 Villanova 83, @Connecticut 73
The Huskies are tough at home, and they give us a run for our money in our final Big East regular season game.

If I ran the world, Jacob Allen would be a professional prospect. I don't care that he's 5'10". Tonight, he sinks 5 of 7 three-point tries, scores 23 points, and adds 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Some professional team, somewhere in the world, will take a chance on Jacob Allen, and one day they'll be glad they did.

Duncan Sims (16p/5a/3r), Tony Ezell (11p/7r), and Avery Sullivan (10p/7r/3b) do their usual good jobs in support of Allen's star turn. I had a hunch about leaving Caleb Blaney in the starting lineup, and I like the results: 9 points, 6 boards.
Record: 30-1 (17-1).

March 8, 2029
Big East Tournament Quarterfinal
(1) #1 Villanova 91, (9) Connecticut 73
After our double bye, we face the Huskies again at Madison Square Garden. There, away from the Huskies' vocal fans, we have an easier time of things.

Our senior guards combine for 44 points: 23 from Jacob Allen and 21 from Duncan Sims. They make 7 of their 15 threes and combine for 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Caleb Blaney adds 17 points, Avery Sullivan 13.

Ten-seed Pitt shocks Georgetown, 66-55, so the Hoyas will head home and await the NCAA tournament selection committee's verdict.
Record: 31-1.


March 9, 2029
Big East Tournament Semifinal
(1) #1 Villanova 63, (4) #10 West Virginia 57
We come back from a 7-point halftime deficit to defeat the Mountaineers and advance to the championship game.

Both teams contest every possession, and we find it hard to get good shots. Jacob Allen (18) and Duncan Sims (11) are our only double-figure scorers. Duncan is named Player of the Game; he adds 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and a steal.

St. John's wins the other semifinal, 62-52, so we'll face the Red Storm in the championship game.
Record: 32-1.


March 10, 2029
Big East Tournament Championship
(1) #1 Villanova 57, (6) St. John's 54

The Johnnies slow the pace down and play tight defense, especially against three-point shooters, so I'm not surprised when the game takes this shape.

Avery Sullivan works hard for his PoG honors, battling St. John's tough senior center, Denis Freed, all evening long.

Their long tournament run makes the Red Storm a lock for the NCAA tournament. As many as nine teams from the Big East might make the Big Dance.

Colgate (22-11) wins the Patriot League tournament, so they'll be dancing, too. Lafayette (24-8) was upset by Lehigh in the semifinals, but their record will be good enough to earn an at-large bid.
Record: 33-1.

March 11, 2029
We're awarded the #1 seed in the East Region, which is what I thought would happen. Our first opponent will be the winner of the Mercer-Toledo play-in game.

We could possibly meet Lafayette in the second round, if we win and the 9-seed Leopards beat Ohio State.

The other top seeds are Georgetown (South), Tennessee (Midwest), and Stanford (West).


March 15, 2029
NCAA East Region, First Round
(1) #1 Villanova 72, (16) Mercer 61
Mercer sticks around long enough to make things interesting. Our 11-point winning margin is five points fewer than our average, and that reflects well on the Bears' effort. In fact, they outshoot us, 42% to 40%.

We win the game by dominating the post. Avery Sullivan (19p/11r/2b) is more than Mercer's bigs can handle, and they struggle to contain Tony Ezell (14p/11r) too. Jacob Allen (12p/5r/3a) and Duncan Sims (10p/5a, 0-6 from three) scuffle a bit.

Lafayette easily disposes of Ohio State, 59-42, so we'll face the Leopards again.
Record: 34-1.


March 17, 2029
(1) #1 Villanova 69, (9) #24 Lafayette 60
We play well for 20 minutes, leading the Leopards 45-29 at the break. Then, we're terrible for 20 minutes and nearly let a good team pull off an upset.

Jacob Allen is the only Wildcat who should be pleased with his performance. His classmate, Duncan Sims, is mired in a shooting slump, but he's finding other ways to contribute. Still, if we don't play better, our season will end very soon.
Record: 35-1.


March 22, 2029
NCAA East Region Semifinal...the Sweet Sixteen
(1) #1 Villanova 82, (5) #16 North Carolina 69
Did the Tar Heels expend too much of their energy in the 85-84 victory over Vanderbilt that propelled them into this game? Perhaps that's the case, as Graham Sims and the Wildcats beat the 'Heels with room to spare.

A shooting master class from Jacob Allen (29 points, 7-11 from long range) is the biggest key to our victory. Avery Sullivan (13p/10r/3b), Duncan Sims (13p/4r) and Tony Ezell (12p) also play well.

We tie the Villanova record for victories in a season, set just last year. Next up: Wisconsin.
Record: 36-1.


March 24, 2029
NCAA East Region Final...the Elite Eight
(7) #11 Wisconsin 73, (1) #1 Villanova 65
The other side of the East bracket has been riddled by upsets. First, 15-seed
Canisius sent 2-seed Boston College packing. Then, after eliminating the Golden Griffins, the Badgers took care of 3-seed Duquesne. Wisconsin then claims their second straight victory over a Pennsylvania team in the regional final.

The Badgers simply shoot the lights out, on a night when our shots won't fall. Eight different players score at least 10 points, but the four Wisconsin players all score more than our four do.

All three of our seniors can leave with their heads high. Caleb Blaney, who returned to his reserve role for the NCAA tournament, makes 2 of his 3 treys and scores 10 points. Duncan Sims scores 11 and hands out 8 assists in his final collegiate game. Jacob Allen, guarded closely all game long, finishes with 12 points. Jacob ties Avery Sullivan for team scoring honors.
Record: 36-2.

April 1, 2029
One of our incoming recruits, Asher Wise, plays for the East in the annual High School All-American Game. Wise leads the East in scoring with 15 points, grabs 7 rebounds, and hands out 3 assists. The West wins the game, 84-68.


April 2, 2029
Tennessee defeats Texas Christian, 78-70, in the NCAA championship game. TCU reached the Final by defeating Connecticut, a 6-seed who hit their stride late in the season.


April 2, 2029


The Big East awards ceremony is a fun night for the Sims family. Duncan earns a spot on the All-League Second Team, and Graham is named Big East Coach of the Year for the second straight year.

A pair of our talented first years, Tony Ezell and Blake Norton, are voted onto the Big East All-Freshman Team.

Georgetown's Twin Towers, Dwayne Ecker and Jimmy Cahoon, follow up their All-Big East recognition with spots on the All-American third team. Kenneth Teets from UConn makes first team All-American.

April 2, 2029


It was a wonderful year. We spent much of it ranked #1 in the nation, and I felt like we were the best team in college basketball this year. Full credit to Wisconsin for beating us and ending our season--they were the better team that night--but congratulations to the players for a season well played.

Last year's team won it all, and the one before it lost the final. Still, I'm not convinced this year's team wasn't better.




Next: the Senior Farewells.

2028/29 Senior Farewell

RICHARD PRAY

Last December, I thought I'd have fun writing Richard's Farewell. I planned on telling the story of how, after voicing his displeasure about his playing time and seriously considering leaving our program, Richard decided to stay, worked hard, and was rewarded with a big role on this year's team.

Unfortunately, when Richard's first semester grades came out, his story's ending changed.


A consensus Top 100 player coming out of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Richard also boasted strong academic credentials, and he did well in school for three years. He also made progress on the court, and earned a starting job his senior season. Richard validated our decision, averaging nearly ten points a game in pre-conference play.

Then came the news of the academic suspension that would end his season and, along with it, his Villanova career.

Richard's roommates say he didn't go out all that much. Instead, he spent hours at his gaming console, and more hours simply scrolling through his phone and texting. We hope he'll return to campus and complete his Political Science degree; he can do so with one more semester's worth of work.

Thanks for the memories, Richard.

2028/29 Senior Farewell

CALEB BLANEY

Honesty compels me to admit I might not have recruited Caleb coming out of high school. Six-foot-nine post players who don't rebound or block shots don't tend to impress me. Or, perhaps I would have converted him to a shooting guard, if our team didn't have plenty of them already. It took some time, but I eventually found a role for our unicorn from the Jersey hills.


Caleb arrived as a solid four-star player, but it turned out that he was already just about as good as he would ever be. Recruited by one coach and mentored by another as a freshman, Caleb couldn't break into a frontcourt that featured Bruno Le Fleurquin, Bradley Christmas, and José Blanco. Nor did I find a spot for him until all three of those players had graduated.

Basically, Caleb shot his way into a prominent role, first as a source of instant offense, and then as an occasional starter. He's a Spanish Studies major, and he'd like to try his luck playing professional basketball in Spain or South America before pursuing a career as a Spanish teacher and high school coach. I'm pulling for him.

Thanks for the memories, Caleb.

2028/29 Senior Farewell

DUNCAN SIMS

Playing college basketball for your father can be a complex experience. It certainly was for Duncan Sims, whom his dad recruited twice, for different programs.


The Ivies recruited Duncan heavily, and he considered playing at Temple before he accepted our offer from Lafayette. As a freshman, Duncan and Graham became NCAA champions together. His career was progressing well; he earned significant playing time the next season, backing up Kenton Lashley and Kamari Stone and confirming his reputation as a dangerous shooter.

Then, Graham accepted the job at Villanova, and Duncan accepted an offer to follow him there. He redshirted and continued to develop his skills.

Duncan would certainly have started at Lafayette as a junior, but would he even see the floor at Villanova? We were pleased to discover that Duncan's game would translate to the tougher environment of the Big East. Understudying another pair of talented guards, Devin Guzman and Jacob Allen, Duncan thrived as the team's sixth man. He was the MVP of 'Nova's victory in the Big East tournament final, and contributed meaningfully to our drive to the national championship.

As a senior, Duncan became a starter for the first time. His shooting percentages fell a bit--an unsurprising result, given the tougher matchups he faced as a well-known quantity. However, Duncan demonstrated the ability to run his team's offense and help us win in a number of different ways. He was the only Wildcat to earn full All-Big East recognition this season. He completes his career with a three-point shooting percentage above 40% and a free throw percentage over 90%. Those are a shooter's marks.

Now a powerful, 6'4" point guard with a textbook jump shot, Duncan has turned himself into a professional prospect. He's likely to hear his name called on Draft Night. If he doesn't, he'll contemplate playing overseas before he finds a use for his degrees in History and Theology and Religious Studies. He will leave Villanova with two NCAA championship rings and a Phi Beta Kappa key.

Thanks for the memories, Duncan.

2028/29 Senior Farewell

JACOB ALLEN

Jacob Allen was the centerpiece of a recruiting class that featured three four-star talents. He was expected to be a cornerstone player, but he turned out to be even better than that.


A small-town boy from south of Buffalo, Jacob's quickness, shooting ability, and willingness to defend the other team's best player marked him as one of the nation's top high school guards. He was a starter from Day One, and he delivered exactly what we expected of him, and then some.

While he finishes his Villanova career ranked in the top ten for career assists and steals, Jacob will be forever remembered as a scorer. His 597 points last year is the third-highest single season total in our annals, and this year's total of 685 takes over the top spot from Heliodoro Jimenez. Jacob is the first Villanova player to score over 2000 career points, and he ranks fifth all-time on the Big East career list. He's the first Big East player to attempt 1000 three-point shots, and the first to make 400 of them. He ranks 16th all time in three-pointers made.

Pro scouts look at his listed height (he's not really that tall) and don't see a professional player. Jacob wants to prove them wrong, and I won't bet against him. He's completing his degree in Finance, and when he needs them, his Villanova connections will serve him well in business, too.

Thanks for the memories, Jacob.

May 1, 2029
Draft night is a joyous occasion at the Sims home. It's always exciting when Graham hears the name of one of his players. It's a dream come true when that name is his son's.

Duncan Sims is chosen with the #21 pick in the first round. Georgetown's Dwayne Ecker is perhaps the next most familiar name among the first round picks; he's taken at #19.

Here are the national recruiting rankings for the Class of '29:

I will freely admit we got lucky with this year's class. Asher Wise (#1), Justice Stafford (#10), and Peter Segal (#14) give us three of the nation's elite players, and Kris DeMello (#74) is no slouch, either.

And look at Lafayette! Tracey Burger is the #2 player in the class, and he's on his way to College Hill. I took a long look at Burger, but I preferred Asher Wise. Burger's 9 Academics rating scared me away, too. The Leopards' other recruit, PF Joshua Dent, is the #19 player in his class. He's also an academic risk, with a 24 rating.


Big East teams tend to recruit well, and this year is no exception. We did pursue Notre Dame's prize catch, Derek Stines, and we offered Damarion Logan the chance to choose us instead of staying close to home and playing for Georgetown.

Our Prestige score remains at 100, but our Facilities rating drops to 90 from 92. I've never seen that happen in FBCB. It's not a large drop, but still.

Our budget for the season looks like it will remain at $800,000. Vanderbilt's is $820,000, but that's the only program I know of with more money to work with than we have. The "blue bloods" like UNC and Kansas, and the elite programs of our universe, like Georgetown and Southern California, have the same budgets as Villanova. Lafayette's is up to $587,000 now.

There will be a new team in the Patriot League this season, one that could give Lafayette a run for its money. Duquesne, coming off a 30-5 season, has moved up from the Atlantic 10, trading places with hapless Army.

May 1, 2029
When you have talented assistant coaches on your staff, you must prepare to watch them leave you for head coaching positions of their own.

I know Graham's Recruiting Coordinator, Edward Volkman, has the right stuff. Today, he accepts the head coaching position at the Citadel. Coach Volkman just helped us land the top recruiting class in the nation, and he's got an NCAA championship ring on his finger. It's time.

To replace him, we hire Weston Wells. Coach Wells is 33, and he's a graduate of Columbia by way of Canandaigua, New York. We're offering him his first college coaching position.

Coach Wells' Recruiting score of 100 equals that of Coach Volkman, so we won't give up any talent there. He'll accept a three-year contract with a salary of $198,333/year.

November 1, 2029

FBCB allows me to have 13 scholarship players at a time. Right now, my Villanova roster has 11 scholarship guys, along with three walk-ons. I don't mind having a smaller roster, because I have only 200 minutes to go around. Long rosters mean too many players who can't get onto the court as much as they'd like, and they become unhappy and transfer.

Wing Corey Hicks and big Joshua Parkin are the two scholarship seniors on this year's team. We can offer up to four players this year, and we've already secured commitments from three.

The first to sign is Noah Gardner, a 6'5" wing from nearby Jenkintown, PA.

Noah is a "three-and-D" wing, one of the East's top players at his position. There are players in his class who are more ready to play college basketball right now than Noah is, but we're signing him for the player we think he can be. We can be patient with him, because we have players like Tony Ezell and Asher Wise a class or two ahead of him.

Noah considered Vanderbilt, but he's wanted to be a Wildcat for years. He's the kind of student-athlete we want on our campus.

The next player to give us a "yes" is another 6'5" wing, Reed Weisberg from Colonia, NJ.

The term "shooting guard" was invented with players like Reed in mind. His gaudy scoring numbers are partially the result of his team letting him shoot 20 times a game, but we think his underlying skill is real. He has one of the most natural-looking jumpers we've ever seen, with a smooth release and plenty of range.

It's easy to envision Weisberg as a source of instant offense in a sixth man role, at the very least. Again, like Gardner, we can afford to let him develop, if he's patient enough to wait for his chance.

The third commit is the most highly ranked of the group: All-American point guard Ernest Adcock, from Pasadena, MD.

If Ernest wanted to, he could play high-major college football; he was regarded as a top recruit as a dual-threat quarterback and a defensive back until he stopped playing football in tenth grade. On the basketball court, Ernest uses his quickness and vision to excel as a true lead guard, equally able to score and facilitate.

His most notable skill, however, is his ability to shut down opposing guards. Ernest can lock them down with solid fundamental defense, or rob them blind with his court sense and quick hands.

If Ernest isn't quite ready to play in the Big East from Day One, we'll probably be just fine. Blake Norton, Justice Stafford, and Peter Segal should all be available next season. It's hard to imagine Ernest not getting some run as a first year player, however.

It's realistic to think that some of these players will fall short of their potential. Others might turn out to be better than we think. Championship teams have enough depth to account for the "misses," and that's what we're hoping to build here on the Main Line.

P.S. I'm delighted to snag Weisberg and Adcock away from Georgetown, too. ;)

November 11, 2029

Here are your 2029/30 Villanova Wildcats!

Let's see how well they did in training camp.

It's often said that a basketball team takes on the personality of its most influential senior. If that's the case, this year's Villanova team will be patient, hard-working, and very easy to like.

That's a perfect description of shooting guard Corey Hicks, who begins the season as an unquestioned member of the starting five for the first time this year. Like Duncan Sims did last season, Corey will face the challenge of having opponents pay more attention to him in their game plans, but after spending time in camp refining his already-dangerous jump shot, he looks like he'll be up for it.

The team's biggest star will probably be junior center Avery Sullivan. He's lived up to the hype that accompanied him as one of the top high school players in the nation. Avery demonstrated his ability to dominate games last season. This year, we'll need him to do it even more regularly. This is almost certainly his last season on the Main Line, and he is ready to make it a special one.

Joining Sully on the low block will be sophomore Lowell Welter. He averaged 19 minutes per game and started seven times, and he flashed a bit of outside game along with the big man things he did. We think Lowell is ready for an enhanced load.

Classmate Blake Norton will have the first opportunity to start at point guard. He understudied in the role last season, when he led the team in assists per 30 minutes. We won't need Blake to shoot much. If he takes care of the ball, distributes it, and does his part defensively, we'll be delighted with him.

The fifth starter will step immediately into the spotlight, a local hero who could have played his college ball anywhere and chose to stay home. You don't recruit the top high school player in the country to sit on the bench, but Asher Wise earned his spot. He approached camp with humility and worked hard. Coach Sims considers Asher his second option offensively, behind Sullivan, but don't be surprised if the freshman's talent makes him a focal point before long.

Tony Ezell started 29 games as a freshman last season, and this year he'll play a starter's minutes as our sixth man. He might trade spots with Welter once we see how things play out. Either way, he'll make an impact with his inside scoring and post presence.

First year Justice Stafford will be the first guard off the bench. He's also a five-star recruit, and his first-class ballhandling and passing abilities have impressed us so far. He's got more upside as a scorer than Blake Norton, and the two point guards will both play a lot.

Young big men Kris DeMello and Clemens Schwaiger will compete with senior Joshua Parkin for playing time, and freshman Peter Segal gives us even more depth in the backcourt.

How will this team handle the rigors of a Big East campaign? Sullivan and Hicks are known quantities, but their freshman and sophomore teammates will all be facing new challenges. The youngsters are unquestionably talented, and it's possible that some of them will play like champions right away. But last year at this time, we could turn to men like Jacob Allen and Duncan Sims, who had played over a hundred games of college basketball. We begin the season ranked #2, right behind Georgetown. If we're there at the end of the season, it will be because the young Wildcats grew up fast.

November 18, 2029
@#2 Villanova 85, Virginia 63
The poor Cavaliers continue to struggle in my universe. Their 55 Prestige might have them on the verge of relegation from the ACC to a mid-major conference; they're 10 points lower than any other ACC program, and they'd rank in the middle of the Patriot League.

The Hoos' assortment of Green and Yellow players can't hang with us tonight. But one of them, senior forward Doug Smith, absolutely blows up, scoring 44 points. Doug is from York, PA, and I recruited him when I was at Lafayette. Fortunately for us, his teammates give him very little help.

Avery Sullivan (23p/9r/5b) is Player of the Game. Corey Hicks scores 15, Lowell Welter adds 10 with 10 boards, and sixth man Tony Ezell pitches in 10 more. Blake Norton has 9 assists. And the Pavilion crowd goes home satisfied with their first look at Asher Wise, who contributes 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals in his debut.
Record: 1-0.


November 22, 2029
Maui Shootout, First Round
(2) #2 Villanova 82, (7) American 49
Our former Patriot League opponent faces us in the first round, and after making it a close game for 26 minutes, they yield in the face of Wildcats runs of 14-2 and 11-0.

Tony Ezell stars in a reserve role, with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Avery Sullivan scores 12 and rebounds 14. Corey Hicks (19p/4r) and Blake Norton (10p/7r) play well, and so does freshman guard Justice Stafford, who scores 6 points and hands out 4 assists in 16 minutes.
Record: 2-0.


November 23, 2029
Maui Shootout, Semifinal
(2) #2 Villanova 88, (6) Air Force 62
The Air Force upset Ohio State in the first round, but we send them back stateside with a decisive victory.

Avery Sullivan posts another double-double (21p/10r) and blocks 2 shots. Corey Hicks pitches in 15 points and 7 boards, and Kris DeMello makes the most of 9 minutes on the court by scoring 12 points, including two three-balls.
Record: 3-0.


November 24, 2029
Maui Shootout Championship
(2) #2 Villanova 72, (4) California 57
Villanova haters will point out that other teams did most of the heavy lifting in this tournament; the Golden Bears upset top-seeded Tennessee in the other semifinal. Still, you can only beat the teams you play, and we'll be returning from sunny Hawai'i with a trophy for our collection.

Corey Hicks is the star; he scores 18 tonight and grabs 7 rebounds. Avery Sullivan scores 11, and sixth man Tony Ezell finishes with 10 points and 6 boards. Asher Wise struggles a bit tonight; he makes only 2 of 7 shots and scores only 4 points. He does help out with 6 rebounds. Blake Norton hands out 5 assists.
Record: 4-0.


November 27, 2029
#2 Villanova 92, @Vanderbilt 79
What a crazy game! The Commodores play at a frenetic pace. Tonight, they toss up 88 shots, including 34 from behind the arc. For a while, it works well; they lead us 37-27 at halftime.

After the intermission, our shots begin to fall, and Vanderbilt players can't stop fouling us. We finish 24-for-32 at the line. The Commodores keep firing away, and now they can't find the basket. Thanks to a 65-point half, we return to the Main Line with a big road win.

We pull down 54 rebounds, two shy of our school record. Avery Sullivan (15p/10r) and Corey Hicks (13p/10r) achieve double-doubles, and if Tony Ezell (25p/9r) and Lowell Welter (11p/9r) had grabbed one more carom each, they'd have doubled up, too. Asher Wise scores 15 with 7 rebounds.

Ezell is thriving in his role, so for now, I'll roll with the starting five I've been using.
Record: 5-0.


November 30, 2029
#2 Villanova 79, @Rider 76
Behind a career-high 19 points from sophomore Blake Norton, we escape the trap set by a tenacious Rider team.

Avery Sullivan (13p/15r/6b) makes it even more clear that he'll be ready to turn pro this spring. Tony Ezell continues to come off the bench and score at will. Lowell Welter (6p/10r/3b) plays with heart and makes things happen. Norton hands out 6 assists when he's not scoring himself.
Record: 6-0.

December 1, 2029

We complete the restocking of our scholarship player cabinet with the signing of our fourth incoming freshman, four-star guard Michael Petit, from the Delaware Valley community of Medford, NJ.


Michael is listed as a shooting guard, but his true position is "basketball player." I don't recall ever seeing a recruit with a skill set as balanced as Michael's. He has the potential to be pretty good at everything a player can do.

He's an efficient offensive player, scoring at all three levels and putting up nearly 20 points a game without taking a gazillion shots. He plays unselfishly, passing the ball to his teammates, playing defense, and rebounding. He's athletic enough to run a leg on one of the best 4x400m relay teams in New Jersey.

We envision Michael as a player who will do anything we need him to do, filling any role we need him to fill. He's also likely to stay with us four years, too.

December 2, 2029
@#2 Villanova 69, Detroit 53
We play good defense and take good care of the basketball, committing only 7 turnovers, and that's enough for a win on a night when we don't shoot terribly well.

Avery Sullivan leads a group of four 'Cats in double figures (15p/10r/3b). Joining him are Corey Hicks (14p/3a/3r/2s), Lowell Welter (10p/5r), and Asher Wise (11p/4r). Blake Norton makes 3 steals, and Justice Stafford fills up the scoresheet in 18 minutes of reserve duty (9p/4r/3a).
Record: 7-0.


December 7, 2029
#2 Villanova 75, @Fordham 54
Tony Ezell leads us to another victory, but he sprains his knee in the process. We'll have to find a way to win without him and his 13.5 PPG off the bench for about two weeks.

Our bench contributed 32 points tonight, with Justice Stafford leading our scorers with 15. The first year guard also has 4 assists. Asher Wise scores 14, Avery Sullivan 12 with 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, and Corey Hicks 11 with 7 rebounds.

Peter Segal looks to gain some playing time while Tony heals up.
Record: 8-0.


December 13, 2029
#1 Villanova 74, @Lehigh 61
Graham Sims is used to coaching against Lehigh from his days in the Patriot League. This year's edition of the Mountain Hawks bring an 0-6 record into the game, and leave with one more loss, at the hands of the nation's new #1 team. )We polled four more points from the voters than Georgetown (6-0) this week.)

Lehigh starts a walk-on center, and Avery Sullivan rolls him for 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Blake Norton adds 15 points, and Justice Stafford contributes 12 more.

The injury bug bites us again, and this time he takes a more vicious chomp. The victim is Lowell Welter, whose painfully dislocated knee will put him out of action for a month. Freshman Kris DeMello will start our next game.
Record: 9-0.


December 15, 2029
@#1 Villanova 81, Delaware 73
The Blue Hens' senior guard, Lyle Wysocki, wins an individual scoring battle over our Avery Sullivan, 28-27. However, our supporting cast has a better night than theirs does, and that's enough to secure the win.

Corey Hicks (17p/4r/4a) plays another good, all-around game. Blake Norton scores 10 points. Justice Stafford doesn't score, but he notches a team-high 5 assists.
Record: 10-0.


December 19, 2029
@#1 Villanova 75, Drexel 70
All five Villanova starters score at least 9 points as we edge a tough Drexel team in our last game of the calendar year.

Senior Corey Hicks leads the way with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Asher Wise matches Corey's 15 points, and adds 7 rebounds. Avery Sullivan (12p/8r/4b), Kris DeMello (13p/8r/2s), and Blake Norton (9p/6a) make lots of positive plays. Also worthy of mention: Clemens Schwaiger's 6 rebounds in 11 minutes.
Record: 11-0.


January 5, 2030
@#2 Villanova 70, #20 Lafayette 63
The last three players Graham Sims recruited to Lafayette make the trip down to the Wells Fargo Center, where they and their teammates put up a fight before falling short.


Coach Sims' three recruits--David Bowen, Mike Wong, and Tod Quiroz--are the three Leopards who score in double digits. Quiroz scores the 1000th point of his career.

Asher Wise rises to the challenge with a very solid game, while Avery Sullivan and Corey Hicks are as good as usual.
Record: 12-0.


Holy hoops! What a conference!

The team that emerges from this battle as Big East champion will be a worthy victor. If it's us, we'll have to survive a schedule that includes games against all six of the other ranked teams in the league. We'll play Georgetown home-and-home, and visit four of the other top teams.

Hang on, everyone. It's going to be quite a ride.

January 9, 2030
@#2 Villanova 94, DePaul 83 (OT)
Avery Sullivan posts career highs in points (28) and rebounds (15), and we need overtime to defeat the Blue Demons at the Pavilion.

Avery also has 2 assists, and one of them is absolutely crucial He spots Tony Ezell cutting for the basket with six seconds left in regulation, and Ezell lays it in to tie the score at 79. The final score doesn't reflect how close a game it really is.

Asher Wise turns in a complete performance, with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Classmate Peter Segal adds 12 off the bench, and Blake Norton 10. Justice Stafford contributes 7 assists.
Record: 13-0 (1-0).


January 13, 2030
The reputation of the Big East has been created by matchups like this one. Traditional rivals, ranked #1 and #2, playing before a capacity crowd and a large national audience...and creating a storyline that keeps viewers glued to their devices as Blake Norton drains a three with 14 seconds remaining that makes the Wells Fargo Center explode. Then, the Wildcats dig down deep and play such relentless defense that the Hoyas can't get off a game-tying shot.

After falling behind, 42-30, at halftime, we begin to heat up from long distance. Corey Hicks, in particular, starts counting by three. Lowell Welter returns from injury and immediately begins to get to work, leading both teams with 13 rebounds.

Avery Sullivan and Jimmy Cahoon have been linked since they were in middle school. They grew up in adjacent states--New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively--and were teammates for two years on the grassroots circuit. Jimmy became the #1 recruit in the country, while Avery was ranked #3. Graham Sims recruited both boys, and ended up choosing Avery because of his slightly greater talent for playing defense.

Cahoon has, perhaps, been the better collegiate player overall, but the difference between them is slight. Tonight, Avery gets the better of his friendly rival. He blocks 6 shots, a new career high that he'll proudly say was achieved against as tough an opponent as there is.
Record: 14-0 (2-0).

January 16, 2030
#1 Villanova 77, @South Florida 65
The Bulls keep it close through the first half; we lead 41-38 at the break before pulling away in the second period. Despite a decent points total, we aren't sharp offensively, and we manage to win anyway.

Avery Sullivan scores 21 for us, and Corey Hicks adds 20. Sullivan grabs 12 rebounds, and Lowell Welter compensates for his 2-for-12 shooting by claiming 15 boards.
Record: 15-0, 3-0.


January 19, 2030
#1 Villanova 100, @DePaul 65
We bounce back with an assertive performance in Chicago, which features Corey Hicks scoring the 1000th point of his Villanova career.

Five Wildcats score in double figures (Hicks 20, Avery Sullivan 19, Asher Wise 18, Lowell Welter 13, Tony Ezell 12). Sully adds 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Blake Norton contributes with 9 points and 6 helpers.

West Virginia keeps winning, too, and we share the Big East lead with the Mountaineers.
Record: 16-0 (4-0).


January 23, 2030
#1 Villanova 83, @Connecticut 76
The Huskies are a solid team, and they're always hard to beat at home. Tonight, we open up a nice lead and let them claw their way back into the game before we close it out.

It's another big night for Corey Hicks. The senior guard goes 8-for-9 from three point range and scores 35 points, tying Jacob Allen for the highest single game total of the Graham Sims era.

However, as significant as Corey's achievement is, he has to yield the brightest spotlight to Avery Sullivan. Avery finishes with 26 rebounds. His mark is a new Villanova and Big East record, and ties Navy's Stephen Collins for #2 all-time on the national leader board. The national record is 29, held by Derek Dee of Long Beach State.

Sullivan also scores 13 points, and Lowell Welter finishes with 11 rebounds.
Record: 17-0 (5-0).


January 26, 2030
#1 Villanova 83, @Providence 75
Another victory, on the road against a conference opponent, by an almost identical score. Along the way, Avery Sullivan scores the 1000th point of his Wildcat career.

Sullivan posts his second dominant performance in a row: 27 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks. His points total is one shy of his career best. Asher Wise adds 15 points, and Lowell Welter joins Sullivan with a double-double (11p/10r). Blake Norton takes only one shot and misses it, but he hands out 7 assists.
Record: 18-0 (6-0).


January 30, 2030
@#1 Villanova 75, Marquette 49
We return to the Finneran Pavilion and make short work of our visitors from Milwaukee. Our defensive effort is excellent; the Golden Eagles shoot 31% overall, and make only 2 of 15 three-point tries.

Once again, Avery Sullivan is the star, with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and a block. Lowell Welter (13p/8r) plays well, too, and we hold the Marquette bigs to 10 points and 8 rebounds combined.

West Virginia slips up, losing 80-72 at DePaul. We're now in sole possession of the Big East lead.
Record: 19-0 (8-0).

Had Providence really dropped off? They were #12 in your pre-conference post... and no ranking by end of Jan?