March 13, 2031
Big East Tournament Quarterfinal
(1) #2 Villanova 71, (16) DePaul 49
The Blue Demons' Cinderella story was fun while it lasted, but the clock strikes midnight in the Quarterfinal round.
We hold
Gerald Dean, their 6'7", 254-pound shooting guard (!!) scoreless, two nights after he scored 24 against South Florida. It's a sad ending for Gerald, a fine player who finishes his career with over 1500 points.
Asher Wise leads us with 23 points, but it's
Justice Stafford (17p/5r/5a/3s, 4-for-6 from three) who claims the "first star" honors. Unfortunately, Justice's neck is painfully stiff after the game, so he's day-to-day for now.
Ernest Adcock will earn his first collegiate start in tomorrow's semifinal.
Lowell Welter misses a double-double by one point (9p/10r) and
Reed Weisberg contributes 13 points.
Record: 29-3.
March 14, 2031
Big East Tournament Semifinal
(1) #2 Villanova 56, (4) #12 Pittsburgh 44
Some victories are beautiful to watch. Others aren't. This one isn't, but it's a victory nonetheless.
Thirty-five points from
Asher Wise (20) and
Reed Weisberg (15) are almost enough to beat the Panthers by themselves. The same two players carry much of the rebounding load: 8 for Asher, 7 for Reed.
Ernest Adcock fails to score, but he hands out 3 assists.
Record: 30-3.
March 15, 2031
Big East Tournament Championship
(2) #10 Louisville 97, (1) #2 Villanova 87
Congratulations to the Cardinals, who play an outstanding game of basketball and deservedly win the Big East tournament.
Charles Godwin, a popular player who passed up the opportunity to turn pro in order to enjoy moments like this, leads the Cardinals with 24 points.
Israel Cho, a sophomore who probably won't stay for four years, adds 20.
Four of our five starters, plus sixth man
Blake Norton, score in double figures, led by
Lowell Welter with 18.
Asher Wise (16), Norton (14),
Kris DeMello (14), and
Reed Weisberg (13) follow. Norton and
Ernest Adcock have 4 assists each; Wise grabs 8 rebounds; DeMello blocks 3 shots.
Record: 30-4.