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11-03-2023, 09:23 PM
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#351 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 7, 2025
You know about the Final Four already.  Code:
I think the positional designations cost us some All-League recognition. If you ask any Patriot League coach to name the ten best players in the conference, I'll guarantee you he'll put Micah Rodriguez on his list. I know I would. Code:
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11-03-2023, 10:00 PM
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#352 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 8, 2025
Code:
This year's Leopards did a lot of things well. We took care of the basketball. We rebounded well. We shot very well from three-point range. We played good defense. We're in the top 20 nationally in all the shooting margins, and our offensive and defensive efficiency are 14th and 15th, respectively. Statistically, we're not noticeably better than we've been for several years. This year, we simply were better at winning. Code:
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The word that comes to mind when I look at these stats is "balance." If Lashley or Rodriguez weren't scoring, McGriff or Hampton or Allen or Stone almost always were. Seven or eight players were willing rebounders, and almost everyone would pass the ball. Next, the Senior Tributes...and a Farewell. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-03-2023 at 10:03 PM. |
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11-03-2023, 10:05 PM
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#353 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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2024/25 Farewell
MICAH RODRIGUEZ I'm a bit surprised to be writing this one. At the beginning of the year, the "experts" predicted Micah would be unlikely to leave school early. I checked the Pro Prospects list several times during the season, and Micah's name never appeared there. Then, as soon as the confetti stopped falling from the ceiling of the Alamodome, Rodriguez announced he was entering the pro draft. Code:
I wonder how many college players have scored over 1300 points in their careers while starting only three games? Micah thrived in his sixth man role, which was perfectly suited for his offense-first mentality. Nominally a point guard, Micah could play anywhere on the perimeter. Unlike some high-volume shooters, he wasn't a ball hog; he took pride in his ability to make his teammates better. Micah still isn't listed among the top 50 prospects. He might not hear his name called on draft night, and if he's not, he'll look to sign for someone as a free agent, or play overseas. Whatever happens, he'll always be a Lafayette legend, because of those free throws in the Alamodome on an April night. Thanks for the memories, Micah. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-03-2023 at 10:39 PM. |
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11-03-2023, 11:28 PM
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#354 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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2024/25 Senior Tribute
JEFFREY HAMPTON Jeffrey was, admittedly, a third or fourth choice when we recruited him. We pursued Brendan Meehan avidly before he chose Lehigh. The former All-State player from Wisconsin developed more slowly than Meehan did, but by his senior year, he was every bit as productive a player as the one who got away. Code:
Never a great athlete, Jeffrey worked as hard as any player Graham Sims has ever coached. He developed into an effective secondary scorer and a particularly relentless rebounder for his size. Jeffrey will graduate next month with a degree in mathematics. He plans to return to Wisconsin, where he's already been hired to teach at his high school alma mater and coach JV basketball. Thanks for the memories, Jeffrey. |
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11-04-2023, 12:59 AM
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#355 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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2024/25 Senior Tribute
KURT RITCHIE Kurt had to wait until his junior year to earn a starting position, but that says more about the ability of Matt Robles than it does about Kurt's talent or readiness. Remember that Matt was a three-time All-Patriot League selection, its Player of the Year, and a professional draft pick. Code:
Has any Lafayette player more fully embraced the role of Blue Collar Man? Kurt never averaged five shots per game in any season. He made 206 shots in his career, and blocked 309. No Lafayette player has more career rebounds than Kurt's total of 988, and he's third all-time in the Patriot League. He shut down one opposing big man after another. Kurt was also one of the most gifted students we've had. He will graduate with his degree in history, and he has applied for a Rhodes scholarship. Thanks for the memories, Kurt. |
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11-04-2023, 01:10 PM
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#356 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2025
The first round of head coach hiring has begun, and as I open Coach Sims' inbox, I see the one job offer that I will seriously consider. Villanova has chosen to part ways with their head coach, James Glazier. And they've offered Graham the job. Is this the time to make a move? As of last month, Graham has accomplished everything he can at Lafayette. There's a national championship ring on his finger, and there will be a national championship banner hanging from the rafters of the Kirby Center next fall. He's taken the Lafayette basketball program from the lower ranks of college basketball to a position of national relevance. Graham is 46 as the new season begins. He's still young enough to enjoy a decades-long run at Villanova. While the Wildcats haven't enjoyed as much success as Graham's Lafayette teams have achieved lately, they remain one of the elite programs in college basketball. Villanova's Prestige is barely higher (91 to Lafayette's 88), but their budget is considerably larger ($721K to $565K) and their Facilities score is much better (96 to 56). This is the job I created Graham to eventually have. He's the coach of the reigning national champions. There are lots of reasons why it's time for him to take the job at his alma mater. There are also lots of reasons why he ought to stay. Coach Sims is a Lafayette icon. The board tells him his "performance is the stuff of legends." There's no Hot Seat for him at Lafayette. It's "Ice Cold." The thought of Graham spending another 25 years or so at Lafayette, possibly winning another national championship or two, is definitely appealing. By then, Lafayette might be the premier program in Pennsylvania by every measure. And Graham's son, Duncan, is playing for him. I'll almost certainly have to "cheat" and edit the database to bring Duncan to Villanova with his dad. I'm wondering what I should do. I can see either choice being lots of fun to play. Do any of you have any suggestions? Thanks, MG |
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11-04-2023, 03:20 PM
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#357 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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I asked two people who know me very well what I should do about Graham's job offer, and they gave me the same advice.
My wife and I have played D&D together (thanks, Critical Role), and she approached the situation from the perspective of character creation. She pointed out that Coach Sims seems to be a character who values loyalty. "I don't think he'd feel comfortable saying to Lafayette, 'Hey, winning the national championship was fun. Now I'm off to a bigger job. Good luck in the future.' " He might make the move a few years down the line, but not while his team is the defending national champion. My daughter also voted for staying at Lafayette. Her main argument centered on Coach Sims' relationship with his son. She pointed out that Duncan probably picked Lafayette so he could play for his Dad for four years, not for one. Graham wouldn't leave Duncan at Lafayette and, potentially, have to coach AGAINST him. I'm proud of the fact that the only editing I've done during this story includes adding high schools to the game and creating Duncan. Even Duncan's recruitment was legit; he could have ended up anywhere, I recruited him, and the algorithm picked Lafayette. Do I want to do the kind of editing it would take to turn one of Villanova's players into a clone of Duncan Sims? "Basketball coach starts out at small school and ends up coaching elite program is a fun storyline. I had that in mind when I started this dynasty. "Basketball coach builds small program and decides to stay the first time his dream job opens up" is also a fun story arc. I think that's the one I'm going to follow this time. Who knows? Villanova's job may open up again, at a time when it's easier for Graham to move on from Lafayette. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-14-2023 at 02:23 PM. |
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11-04-2023, 03:30 PM
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#358 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2025
Micah Rodriguez was chosen with the 39th pick in the professional draft. Perhaps his draft stock might have risen with another year of college ball, but making the shots that won your team a national championship would be a nearly impossible act to follow. Good luck in the pros, Micah. Code:
Wow, they're not impressed with our recruiting class, are they? Seventh in the Patriot League, with schools ahead of us that have half our Prestige score? I think Paul Clough (Orange/Green) and Peter Prado (Red/Green) are better than the experts do. Perhaps we're being downgraded for not awarding our third scholarship. The national championship raises our Prestige to 88. Teams with similar Prestige include Michigan State and Notre Dame (89), and Memphis (88). Villanova is at 91 now, and Duke is only 83. We're getting a Facilities upgrade next year, which will raise our score from 56. It looks like our budget will remain at $565,500 this season. |
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11-04-2023, 03:39 PM
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#359 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2025
Brown coach Gerald Doughty retired, and the Bears offered their head coaching position to Chris Kiger. We'll need to find a new Scouting Director this season. The new man is Chris Hogue, who's taking his first collegiate position. His Scouting score is 75, which seems like a good return for a $110,000/year salary. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-04-2023 at 10:30 PM. |
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11-04-2023, 10:30 PM
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#360 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2025
We enter the transfer rounds with two scholarships. In the opening round, we make offers to two players we like, but neither of them accepts. One of them, forward Robert Copeland, listed us as his second choice, but the school he preferred (Louisiana Tech) offered him, too. Nobody expresses any interest in our program in Round Two, so we pass. In Round Three, several players decide Lafayette might be worth looking at. We make an offer to Finn Mills, an Aussie power forward who's transferring from Tennessee Tech. Finn decides to join our program! Code:
A former two-star recruit, Finn profiles as a traditional big man, a good rebounder and a solid post defender. He's already made considerable progress, which indicates a strong work ethic. |
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11-05-2023, 12:26 AM
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#361 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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November 1, 2025
We began the recruiting season with three available scholarships. Guards Kenton Lashley and Kamari Stone and power forward Theodore Beckett are seniors. Remember how much trouble we had recruiting players last year? I wondered how much impact winning a national championship might have on our recruiting. Let's just say it seems to have had a very powerful impact. Shooting guard Tod Quiroz is among the first players to express Very High interest in playing for us. I make Tod an offer as soon as I can, recruit him actively, and today he announces his commitment to Lafayette! Tod was courted by Villanova and Duke, but he remains true to his first love. Code:
This Brooklyn native's high school statistics look like what happens when a gamer uses cheat codes on a console game. His jump shot is smooth as satin, with seemingly unlimited range. He's a very good passer, and, unlike many elite scorers, Tod takes pride in his defense. Tod becomes the highest ranked recruit we've ever signed; Thomas Lucy was #83 in the class of 2020. Lucy scored almost 1400 points for us, won postseason honors in each of his three seasons on College Hill, and was the #32 selection in the 2023 draft. If Tod turns out to be the same kind of player, we'll be delighted. Then, in the blink of an eye, Tod becomes the second highest-ranked player we've ever signed. Point guard Herschel Middlebrooks expressed Very High interest at first, but Coaches Sims and Lockhart convince him to become our very first four-star signee. Code:
Herschel is a pure point guard with a solid handle. He should be enough of an offensive threat to force teams to guard him honestly. But what makes him special is his defense. Herschel's quickness and court sense enable him to guard much larger players, and his lightning-fast hands gain him steal after steal. If we've scouted him accurately, Herschel is already as good a perimeter defender as Kenton Lashley. I found two forwards I liked a lot. I couldn't choose between them. Then, I remembered that if I cut a walk-on, I would free up an additional scholarship. So I bid goodbye to a largely useless and unhappy player and made offers to both young men...who both commit to us today. David Bowen is from the charming town of Urbana, Maryland. He's the top-ranked power forward in the East. Code:
David is also a very good defensive end, and he brings a football player's mentality to the job of rebounding. He has soft hands and decent footwork, and could develop into an effective inside scorer. He's also a very good passer for a big man. Our fourth and final recruit is Mike Wong, a three-star wing forward from Long Island. Code:
The recruiting experts like Mike a bit more than they do David Bowen. He hasn't been a high-volume shooter in high school, but he does almost everything else well. His height and wingspan allows him to be a disruptive defender who deflects more than his share of passes. It's rare for me to have our recruiting done and dusted before pre-season camp begins. Perhaps those NCAA championship rings Graham Sims and Zane Lockhart wear when they visit a player's home make a big impression. |
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11-05-2023, 01:32 AM
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#362 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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November 9, 2025
Here are the defending NCAA men's basketball champions: Code:
And here's how they did in preseason training: Code:
Coach Graham Sims believes he has one of the nation's best guard tandems in Kenton Lashley and Kamari Stone. Lashley, a fifth-year senior, is highly regarded as one of the best leaders in college basketball. Already one of the nation's best outside shooters, Lashley took thousands of shots during the off-season and worked just as tenaciously at his defense. K-Lash is also one of the NCAA's most dynamic dunkers. Stone enters his senior year with 73 career starts at point guard. He is a fine passer and a reliable ballhandler who rarely turns the ball over. Smart and lightning quick, Kamari is an extremely good defensive player. Junior Charles Allen is the "small forward" in Lafayette's three-guard lineup. Charles responded well to an increased role last season, and he appears poised to take another step forward in 2025/26. Look for him to provide a real threat from behind the three-point arc. Carl McGriff returns to the starting five, but in a new role as the four. Last season, he distinguished himself as a "sneaky" offensive threat who punished teams who focused too much on the Leopards' explosive perimeter scorers. Carl can also be trusted to guard the other team's most dangerous big man. Junior Carter Todd has paid his dues, and will start at center. He demonstrated the ability to score and rebound in a reserve role last year, and worked hard on his inside game during the preseason. Last year's team had the nation's best sixth man in Micah Rodriguez, who turned professional a year early. There's nobody to take Rodriguez's place this season, but Coach Sims will have a solid nine-man rotation. Sophomore Bret Bryant will be the primary backup at all three frontcourt positions. His best position is probably "basketball player," such is the variety of his talents. Duncan Sims will probably always have to contend with trolls who believe his place on the team is solely the result of his status as Graham Sims' son. As a freshman, Duncan shot well enough to shut the trolls up, playing four minutes a game. Will he respond to the challenge of being the first guard off the bench? If he can't, freshman Paul Clough will pass him in the rotation. Clough is a very similar player, without Sims' cash-money jumper. Clough's efforts to develop his stamina seem almost superhuman. Another freshman, big man Peter Prado, will also see quite a bit of the court. Senior Theodore Beckett and sophomore David Farrell provide more frontcourt depth. While it's never easy to defend a national championship, this year's Lafayette team should be able to give it a good shot. Lashley and Stone are Blue/Blue stars. Allen is a Green/Blue guy, while McGriff and Todd are solid Green/Green quality. That's a tough starting five. The bench is deep and talented. Bryant, Sims, and Clough are all Yellow players now; Sims' potential is Blue and Bryant's and Clough's are Green. Prado is an Orange/Green player. The Leopards open the season in the Top 25 for the first time; they're #23 in the first poll. Where will we be when the season ends? Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-05-2023 at 01:33 AM. |
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11-06-2023, 12:07 PM
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#363 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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November 16, 2025
@#23 Lafayette 82, George Washington 68 The largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game at the Kirby Center enjoys the raising of our 2025 NCAA championship banner and the awarding of the Leopards' national championship rings. Micah Rodriguez takes a night off from his professional club to receive his ring, and graduates Jeffrey Hampton and Kurt Ritchie are on hand, too. They watch a solid performance by this year's Leopards. Charles Allen dominates in his first collegiate start: 24 points (5-12 from three), 10 rebounds, 5 assists. Carter Todd, also making his first career start, gives us a double double-double: 18 points, 10 rebounds. Kamari Stone passes out 7 assists. Duncan Sims contributes 15 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes, and Bret Bryant adds 7 points and 8 rebounds in 24 minutes. It's a very satisfying performance to open the new season. Record: 1-0. November 18, 2025 @#22 Lafayette 88, Kansas State 75 The visitors make over half their shots, which is concerning, but we score even more productively than they do and claim another W. Charles Allen shines again, with 26 points and 9 boards. Kenton Lashley becomes the third Leopard to post a double-double: 21 points, 10 rebounds. Bret Bryant posts 13 points and 6 rebounds in reserve duty, and Duncan Sims records 4 steals. Record: 2-0. November 20, 2025 @#22 Lafayette 68, Wake Forest 64 Behind 22 points from Kenton Lashley, we edge a tough ACC opponent at the Kirby Center. Charles Allen scores 15 points, and Carter Todd adds 13 with 8 rebounds. Kamari Stone hands out 5 assists. Record: 3-0. November 22, 2025 @#22 Lafayette 76, William & Mary 73 The Tribe probably feel like they deserve a win, but a Kenton Lashley bucket with 20 seconds remaining snatches it from their hands. Lashley converted a fantastic pass from Kamari Stone, one of his 5 assists on the night. Lashley finishes with 22 points. Carter Todd (18 pts/8 reb) and Charles Allen (17 pts/8 reb) are productive, and Bret Bryant collects 12 rebounds in 19 minutes. Record: 4-0. November 25, 2025 @#1 Notre Dame 81, #10 Lafayette 78 Graham Sims probably never thought a visit from Lafayette would fill Notre Dame's Joyce Center to capacity and be televised nationally. Code:
The Leopards fire off 41 threes, which is more than one per minute. That's a LOT of long-range gunning. One of those threes, made by Kenton Lashley, brings the visitors within a point, 79-78, with under a minute to play. Lashley finishes with an assertive 35 points, but the top-ranked Fighting Irish keep the other Leopards under wraps. Still, there's no shame losing to the #1 team in the country by three points in their gym. You might remember Jamal Jeter's name. He's the five-star player who qualified late and whom we recruited briefly before he signed with Notre Dame. He's thriving in South Bend, and I'm glad to see it. Record: 4-1. November 29, 2025 #10 Lafayette 74, @Delaware 47 We have no problem with the Blue Hens in our second straight road game. With each passing game, I'm more delighted that Kenton Lashley decided to return to College Hill for his redshirt senior season. Tonight, he scores 24 points and grabs 7 rebounds. Charles Allen (15 pts) and Carter Todd (13 pts, 9 reb) continue to play well, and Carl McGriff (9 rebounds) makes his presence felt. Bret Bryant makes a strong case for more playing time, with 7 points and 7 rebounds in only 16 minutes of action. The victory is the 400th of Graham Sims' career. His record stands at 400-92, and he's one of three coaches to reach the 400 mark. Kenneth Burroughs of Southern California and Douglas Gillum of Kansas are the others. Record: 5-1. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-06-2023 at 01:08 PM. |
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11-06-2023, 01:07 PM
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#364 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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December 1, 2025
@#22 Lafayette 65, Hofstra 54 We've played better games than this one; we shoot poorly and have to come from behind to defeat a winless Hofstra team. Kenton Lashley (21 points, 6 rebounds) plays well. Kamari Stone (14 points, 3 assists) isn't bad, either. Duncan Sims goes 2-4 from the free throw line, which wouldn't be remarkable if they weren't the first two misses of his collegiate career. Duncan made 19 straight before finally misfiring. Bret Bryant starts in place of the slumping Carl McGriff, who has made only 25 percent of his shots. Bret scores 9 points and grabs 4 rebounds in his first career start. Record: 6-1. December 3, 2025 @#22 Lafayette 81, Seton Hall 53 We return to normal service tonight, romping over the visiting Pirates. Kenton Lashley posts another double-double (17p/11r). Carl McGriff seems to enjoy coming off the bench, scoring 15 points, and Kamari Stone adds 13 with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Record: 7-1. December 6, 2025 @#22 Lafayette 85, Lipscomb 50 A rampant Kenton Lashley hits 7 of 13 threes and scores 32 in another comfortable home win. Carter Todd's 12-point, 14-rebound, 2-block double double and Duncan Sims' 15 bench points are also worth noting. Record: 8-1. December 13, 2025 @#9 Villanova 75, #12 Lafayette 68 New Villanova coach Jack Bender has the Wildcats playing with a snarl this season. All five Villanova starters score in double figures, and they come from behind to earn a well-deserved win at a sold-out Wells Fargo Center. Charles Allen leads us with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Kenton Lashley has a rough day, shooting 4-15 from behind the arc, committing 4 turnovers, and scoring only 12 points. Record: 8-2. December 16, 2025 @#22 Lafayette 73, Fairfield 56 Kenton Lashley seems to take out a poor performance on his next opponent. He does so tonight, torching the visiting Stags for 28 points. Charles Allen (13 points) and Bret Bryant (12 points, 9 rebounds) provide quality assistance. Duncan Sims is in a bit of a shooting slump. He misses all three of his three-point attempts; he's now 10-35 from behind the arc this season. Record: 9-2. December 19, 2025 @#25 Lafayette 88, Hartford 74 We defeat another visitor from Connecticut, as five Leopards score at least 10 points. Charles Allen (17), Kenton Lashley (16), Carter Todd (13), Bret Bryant (11), and Duncan Sims (10) all hit double digits. Bryant adds 10 rebounds for good measure. Sims hits a pair of threes, so perhaps he'll shoot his way out of his slump. Record: 10-2. I won't keep updating this list regularly, because it will get tedious, but here are the winningest coaches in this universe: Code:
December 23, 2025 #18 Lafayette 68, @Louisville 56 The Leopards come from behind to win a game at a Big East opponent's place, which is always fun. We combine a strong defensive effort with 21 points from Kenton Lashley, which is right on his average for the season. Kamari Stone's foul trouble leads to 26 minutes of action for Duncan Sims, and he steps up with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and a team-high 4 assists with only 1 turnover. Record: 11-2. December 25, 2025 @#18 Lafayette 96, Saint Joseph's 62 We make 65 percent of our shots, including 13-of-24 from three-point land, in a Christmas party hop against our near neighbors. The Patriot League's leading scorer, K-Lash, drops 27, knocking down 6 of his 10 threes. Carter Todd plays Mr. Inside (21 points 7-for-9 from the field, 7-for-9 from the line, no threes) and Duncan Sims plays Mr. Outside (14 points, 4-for-5 from distance). New sixth man Carl McGriff adds 11 points. Record: 12-2. I said I wouldn't do this, but I'm doing it anyway... Code:
Unless Graham opens up a meaningful lead on the field, I won't do it again. Incidentally, Coach Burroughs is 55, and Coach Gillum is 63.Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-06-2023 at 01:08 PM. |
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11-12-2023, 08:40 PM
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#365 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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January 3, 2026
@#18 Lafayette 83, La Salle 75 Another matchup against a member of the old Big Five ends the right way for us. A pair of double-doubles, courtesy of Charles Allen (23p/11r) and Carter Todd (11p/11r) are the highlights, but there are other fine performances, too: 16p/4r/4a for Kenton Lashley; 15 points for Bret Bryant, who is thriving as a starter; 10 points for Duncan Sims. Record: 13-2. January 7, 2026 Code:
Senior center Elisha Brunelle leads another good Colgate team. Elisha is closing in on his 2000th career point, and he has a shot at 1000 career rebounds, too. Nobody in Patriot League history has ever achieved that double feat. Holy Cross is probably better than their record indicates. They've played a tough non-conference schedule. January 7, 2026 @#16 Lafayette 74, Virginia 66 Remember, in this universe the Cavaliers are nothing special. In fact, they're probably the worst team in the ACC. We don't shoot well, but we have enough to send the visitors home unhappy. Carter Todd and Bret Bryant both encounter foul trouble and neither makes much of an impact, but Kenton Lashley does (21p/14r). So does Kamari Stone (14p/6a/0to), and Charles Allen adds 14 points. Carl McGriff (10 points) is assertive off the bench. Record: 14-2. January 10, 2026 @#16 Lafayette 71, Army 56 We open our Patriot League season with a home win against the Black Knights, powered by double-doubles from Carter Todd (16p/11r) and Charles Allen (10p/11r). Bret Bryant (13p/8r) nearly joins them. But the Player of the Game is Kenton Lashley, who scores 23, grabs 6 boards, and hands out 4 assists. We hold their dangerous center, Irinei Federov, to 13 points, five below his average. Record: 15-2 (1-0). January 14, 2026 @#13 Lafayette 81, Lehigh 52 Winning big over a rival is always fun. Lots of Leopards join in the party tonight. Kenton Lashley (22p/5r/4a) shows up again. He's hitting almost 48 percent of his threes this year, so his 6-for-11 performance tonight isn't as unusual as it might seem. K-Lash averages just under 11 three-point attempts a game, so it's not like he's making them with nobody trying to guard him. It's Bret Bryant's turn for a double-double (13p/10r). Carter Todd scores 10 points, and so does Charles Allen (10p/7r). Carl McGriff, who seems to prefer coming off the bench this year, matches Allen's totals. Record: 16-2 (2-0). January 17, 2026 @#13 Lafayette 84, Colgate 65 A 25-point effort from Charles Allen, a point shy of his career best, sparks us to a victory over the Red Raiders. We unleash 41 threes and make 20 of them. Kenton Lashley scores 14, and Bret Bryant just misses a double-double (11p/9r). Carl McGriff (7p/5r/5a), Paul Clough (career-high 11 points, 3-for-7 from three) play well off the bench. Lafayette fans can be very classy. When Elisha Brunelle leaves the court at the end of the game, he receives a warm ovation from the Kirby Center crowd. Elisha scores 16 points and grabs 8 rebounds in his final visit to College Hill. Record: 17-2 (3-0). January 21, 2026 #12 Lafayette 90, @American 73 We move to #1 in the Mid-Major poll for the first time this season, and we confirm that ranking with a decisive performance in the nation's capital. Kenton Lashley leads all scorers with 30 points, and Paul Clough contributes 16 points off the bench. The one piece of bad news comes from the trainer's room. During the first half, Kamari Stone caught an accidental elbow to the face. His cheekbone is fractured, and he'll be out for about two weeks. Duncan Sims will move into the starting five, and Paul Clough will also receive more playing time while Kamari heals. Our first game without our conductor will be a tough test: away to a Holy Cross team who is also undefeated in the Patriot League. Record: 18-2 (4-0). January 24, 2026 #12 Lafayette 67, @Holy Cross 51 Charles Allen and Kenton Lashley take over, and won't let the Leopards lose. The junior forward nails 7 out of 14 treys, and the senior guard hits 5 of 10; Allen finishes with 27 points and Lashley 16. Duncan Sims is understandably cautious in his first start, finishing with 7 points, an assist, and 2 turnovers. Record: 19-2 (5-0). January 28, 2026 @#8 Lafayette 85, Bucknell 68 The Bison hang tough for a half, trailing by only three points at the intermission before the home team pulls away. Lots of Leopards enjoy productive games: Bret Bryant (career high 19 points; 4r/4a); Charles Allen (19p/6r/6a/2s); Kenton Lashley (17 points). Allen is named Player of the Game, but the honor could have gone to Duncan Sims. The sophomore guard scores 15 points, grabs 6 rebounds, and hands out 7 assists--all career highs--and doesn't commit a turnover. Freshman big man Porter Prado, who's appeared in every game so far, twists his knee and sprains it. He'll be sidelined for about 8 days. Record: 20-2 (6-0). January 31, 2026 @#8 Lafayette 95, Navy 63 Tonight we put together our most complete performance of the season. We make 55 percent of our shots and 47 percent of our threes, win the rebounding battle decisively, and turn the ball over only 10 times. The beat goes on for Charles Allen, who drops 36 on the Navy tonight. Charles tries 16 threes, makes 8 of them, and adds 13 rebounds for good measure. Carter Todd (14 points), Kenton Lashley (12), Carl McGriff (13), and Duncan Sims (10) all score in double digits. We're pulling away from the field in the Patriot League, with a three-game lead over Colgate, Bucknell, and Holy Cross. Record: 21-2 (7-0). Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-12-2023 at 08:45 PM. |
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11-13-2023, 12:36 PM
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#366 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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February 7, 2026
#7 Lafayette 86, @Army 64 A long break allowed Kamari Stone and Porter Prado to heal completely, and they're both back in uniform for our trip to West Point. We get 61 points from the trio of Charles Allen (23), Kenton Lashley (21), and Carter Todd (17), and an odd stat line from Bret Bryant (6 points, 15! rebounds, 8!! assists, 2 blocks, 5?? turnovers). We shoot very well, which makes up for our sloppy, 19-turnover play. Only Kamari Stone (6a/1t) appears immune. Record: 22-2 (8-0). February 11, 2026 #7 Lafayette 83, @Colgate 69 Kenton Lashley is good at basketball. He scores 29 points, with 5 rebounds and 3 assists, as we dispatch the Red Raiders in Hamilton. Kamari Stone (16p/7r/6a/2t) puts on a clinic for point guards, and when he's off the floor, Duncan Sims (6p/4r/3a) continues the demonstration. Throw in another 21 points from Charles Allen, and that's a winning formula. Record: 23-2 (9-0). February 14, 2026 #7 Lafayette 72, @Lehigh 71 It takes a little of Cupid's magic to maintain our 15-game winning streak. Lehigh's Zane Goodall hits a jumper to tie the score at 71 with 20 seconds left. As the clock ticks down, John McKinnie is called for a foul on our Charles Allen before Charles can take a potential game-winning shot. I like our chances here; there are 3 seconds on the clock, Charles has one-plus-the-bonus, and he's a 74% free throw shooter. Charles hits the first one and misses the second. A tense moment ensues as we let Lehigh's Jarek Kopecky get a good look at the basket, but the Czech wing's three-point attempt rims out. Allen finishes with 19 points, and Carter Todd and Kenton Lashley add 15 apiece. Kamari Stone passes out 8 assists. It looks like we've already clinched another Patriot League regular season title. Colgate's in second place, with a 7-4 conference record. I'm thinking about allowing some conference movement from now on. Record: 24-2 (10-0). February 18, 2026 @#6 Lafayette 57, Holy Cross 42 Both teams bear down on defense, and when someone gets a decent shot, they miss. It's one of those nights. Kenton Lashley scores 18, going 4-for-12 behind the arc, and he's considered "productive" tonight. Carter Todd (14p/10r) completes his team-high fifth double-double, and Charles Allen scores 11 before fouling out. Record: 25-2 (11-0). February 21, 2026 @#6 Lafayette 73, American 45 Theodore Beckett gets to start on his Senior Night, alongside classmates Kenton Lashley and Charles Allen. Beckett plays 22 minutes, scoring a single point and grabbing four rebounds, while Lashley (21p/5r/4a) and Allen (17p/5r) treat the appreciative Kirby Center crowd to vintage performances. Carter Todd (12p/7r) plays well, too. American spends the evening flinging threes (3-17) and giving us the basketball (22 turnovers). Record: 26-2 (12-0). February 25, 2026 @Bucknell 87, #5 Lafayette 71 Almost as soon as we achieve our highest-ever position in the polls, we lose to a good Bucknell team that earns a well-deserved victory. Bucknell's talented junior center Rickey Benedetto scores 21 points and grabs 10 rebounds, and a senior sixth man named Joe Antonio is pure fire (21 points, 6-7 from the field, 4-4 from three). The Bison also do a very good job of defending everyone not named Kenton Lashley (24 points). The performances of Charles Allen (11p/9r) and Kamari Stone (7a/0t) also deserve mention. I forgot to remove Theodore Beckett from the starting lineup, but I don't think that was the difference in this game. Beckett makes all 3 of the shots he took, scores 8 points, and nabs 4 rebounds. Record: 26-3 (12-1). February 28, 2026 #5 Lafayette 62, @Navy 57 We trail 20-15 at the end of a dreadful first half before remembering how basketball is played and grabbing victory from the Navy. Both teams shoot a wretched 34 percent from the field. Kenton Lashley (14 points), Charles Allen (10), and Carter Todd (10) score in double figures for us. Navy's Brian Landis (25p/10r) plays like a boss, but his good work is undone by that of Rudolf Henry, who tries 12 threes and makes only one. Record: 27-3 (13-1). |
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11-13-2023, 01:02 PM
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#367 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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March 1, 2026
Patriot League Tournament, First Round (1)#7 Lafayette 79, (8) Navy 65 A rematch with the Midshipmen turns out to be a much better game. Kenton Lashley scores 28 points and Charles Allen adds 24. Kamari Stone finishes with 11, but his 8 assists and 1 turnover say much more about his impact on the contest. Record: 28-3. March 8, 2026 Patriot League Tournament Semifinal (1) #7 Lafayette 80, (4) Holy Cross 62 "Balance" is the word I associate most with this fine performance by Coach Sims' boys. Carter Todd (18p/10r), Charles Allen (16p/4a/3s), Kamari Stone (16p/5a/1t), and Kenton Lashley (14p/5r) all fill the scoresheet very nicely. We commit only 9 turnovers and force the Crusaders into 25. Record: 29-3. March 13, 2026 Patriot League Tournament Final (1) #6 Lafayette 100, (3) Colgate 66 Forgive me for almost hoping Colgate would win this one. I wanted to see Elisha Brunelle get a ticket to the Big Dance. Instead, his Red Raiders end up on the receiving end of the seventh 100-point game of Graham Sims' coaching career. Kenton Lashley (27) and Charles Allen (24) combine for 51 points. Carl McGriff pitches in 16 off the bench, and Carter Todd (8p/10r) needed one more bucket for a double-double. The Bubble Watch is interesting for Patriot League fans: Code:
Did Bucknell's win against us earn them an NCAA bid? Their other significant win was an 83-82 decision against Temple. Record: 30-3. |
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11-13-2023, 02:48 PM
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#368 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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March 15, 2026
We're drawn as the 3 seed in the East Region, where #3 Georgetown holds the top seed. Our bracket also contains Vanderbilt, a 5 seed this year. Bucknell and Colgate both accept bids to the NIT. The Bison are the top seed in the NIT South, and the Red Raiders are the 2 seed in the NIT East. March 19, 2026 NCAA East Region, First Round (3) #7 Lafayette 80, (14) Dartmouth 58 The plucky Ivy League champions hang around for a while; we're up 29-26 at halftime. Our superior talent and depth make the difference in the end. The Big Green's best players are Yellow. Kenton Lashley posts a double-double (19p/10r), although he doesn't shoot particularly well (5-16, 4-12 from distance). Four other Leopards score in double figures: Charles Allen (17p/6r), Carl McGriff (14p/9r), Carter Todd (13p/8r/2b), and Kamari Stone (10p/6a/1t). Bucknell exits the NIT, losing 98-93 to Florida A&M. Colgate advances with a 77-66 victory over Sam Houston State. Record: 31-3. March 21, 2026 NCAA East Region, Second Round (3) #7 Lafayette 85, (6) #22 Boston College 65 We're much more assertive in this game, shooting 55 percent overall and 48 percent from long range, while shutting the Eagles down on defense. Kenton Lashley is determined to make his collegiate career last as long as possible. Today, he drills 8 of 11 threes and scores 32 points, grabs 8 rebounds, and makes 2 steals. Carter Todd (15p/11r) supports him with a double-double, and Kamari Stone adds 14 points and 7 assists, with only 2 turnovers. Stone bruises his hip, however, and he's currently listed as day-to-day (85%). There is no way on earth this proud, competitive senior won't play next week. Coach Sims again meets the board's expectations with a trip to the Sweet Sixteen. Colgate loses its NIT game to Penn State, 78-72, despite a 24-point performance by Elisha Brunelle in his last game in Colgate colors. Record: 32-3. Friday, March 27 NCAA East Region Semifinal...the Sweet Sixteen (3) #7 Lafayette 80, (2) #8 Alabama 78 Pankraz Hindert's left corner three bounces harmlessly away, and we edge a very good Crimson Tide team to advance to the regional final. Kenton Lashley continues to shine, scoring 23 points and dishing out 7 assists. Charles Allen adds 16, and Carter Todd posts another double-double: 18 points, 12 boards. We'll face California in the Elite Eight. Georgetown was upset by 9-seed Memphis, who then fell to the Golden Bears. Record: 33-3. March 29, 2026 NCAA East Region Final...the Elite Eight (9) #18 California 94, (3) #7 Lafayette 83 Our season ends at the hands of a California team that is getting hot when it matters most. Here's the full box score: Code:
The Golden Bears force a gazillion turnovers tonight, as they have all season long. They're averaging 10.3 steals per game and causing their opponents to turn the ball over 19.0 times per game, placing second in the nation in both categories. Oddly enough, Erich Stelly, who bedevils us with 6 steals tonight, only averages one theft per game. Coach Sims has a chance to embrace the seniors--Theodore Beckett, Kamari Stone, and Kenton Lashley--one last time as he removes them from the game in its closing seconds. Kenton, in particular, is overcome by the emotions he feels as his illustrious Lafayette career draws to a close. Record: 33-4. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-13-2023 at 02:50 PM. |
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11-13-2023, 03:17 PM
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#369 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 5, 2026
Here's a first for Graham Sims and Lafayette. One of our recruits, Tod Quiroz, appears in the High School All-American Game! Code:
Tod played well in the East's narrow defeat, with the exception of those three turnovers. Rolland Coates, the game's MVP, is a Wisconsin signee. April 5, 2026 North Carolina defeats San Diego State, 53-52, in overtime to win the national championship. It's the second national title for the Tar Heels and their coach, Mervin Heron. April 5, 2026 It's time for the Patriot League season awards... Code:
Kenton Lashley deserves this one. You'll read more about him in a heartfelt Senior Tribute. I'm glad to see Bret Bryant make the first team, but I'd have had no problem with Brian Landis and him switching spots. I'm sad about the omission of Kamari Stone, however. Luis Rawls was a better scorer, and Trevor Tibbetts had more assists, so it makes sense...but still. It's Graham Sims' seventh Patriot League COY award. |
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11-13-2023, 03:59 PM
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#370 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 5, 2026
Code:
Another year in which the underlying margins support our record. This year's Leopards didn't rebound quite as well as last year's did, but otherwise, we keep doing the things we need to do to win...especially at the Kirby Center. Code:
Code:
Code:
Last season, only one Leopard played at least 1000 minutes: Kurt Ritchie, who played nearly 1200. This year, five did. Next: the Senior Tributes. |
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11-13-2023, 05:21 PM
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#371 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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2025/26 Senior Tribute
THEODORE BECKETT Theodore joined us after spending a season as a walk-on at Florida. We gave him a scholarship, he worked hard, and he got into almost every game as a senior. Code:
Theodore's statistics won't open many eyes. Kenton Lashley regularly took more shots in a single game than Theodore did in his career. But everyone connected with the Lafayette basketball program understands how important the big man from the Sunshine State truly was. Theodore was a superb defensive player. His efforts in practice honed the skills of a succession of Lafayette big men, including Kurt Ritchie and Carter Todd. As a high school senior, the experts believed there were over 1600 basketball players better than Theodore in his class. Five years later, he's wearing an NCAA championship ring on his finger, and he'll be graduating with a degree in economics. He'll work for a year while he prepares his applications for graduate school. Thanks for the memories, Theodore. |
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11-13-2023, 05:33 PM
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#372 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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2025/26 Senior Tribute
KAMARI STONE When I recruited Kamari, I described him as an "orchestrator," the kind of guard who runs his team's offense and distributes the ball to his high-scoring teammates. He wanted to play for Lafayette very badly, and we gave him the opportunity to do so. I'm so glad we did. Code:
Quick and tenacious, Kamari was a relentless on-ball defender. He developed into the secure ball-handler I hoped he would become, with an assist/turnover ratio as good as any point guard we've had here. His stats were never dazzling, and that's probably why he was only named to an all-conference team once. Kamari will leave Lafayette ranked second all-time in assists, 15 dimes behind Ben Miele. He owns two of the five highest single season totals in that category. He's also fifth in steals, and he'd have had to turn the ball over 47 more times to appear on the career list in that category. That was Kamari Stone, in a nutshell. Kamari has already made arrangements to play professionally in Germany, and he thinks he might like to pursue an MBA when his playing career ends. Thanks for the memories, Kamari. |
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11-13-2023, 05:52 PM
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#373 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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2025/26 Senior Tribute
KENTON LASHLEY Kenton Lashley was ranked among the top ten basketball players in the high school Class of 2021. Superbly talented and extremely intelligent, Kenton signed with North Carolina. He played very little, and he entered the transfer portal at the end of the season. Kenton could have chosen to play anywhere in the country. He chose to play for Lafayette. Code:
Three years later, Kenton had helped lead his team to a national championship, averaging nearly 15 points per game. He was about to graduate from Lafayette with a degree in history. Many players in Kenton's position would turn professional at that point in their careers, but Kenton made another choice. He chose, once again, to play for Lafayette. Kenton worked hard to improve his game, and came out of camp with an absolutely lethal jumper. He used it often and well. Kenton scored 783 points as a senior, the most a single player has scored here. His 179 three-point baskets are the second most in NCAA history. Kenton's total of 1833 points is the third highest in Lafayette history, four points more than Herbert Song, and he scored them in three seasons rather than four. It's possible that no Lafayette player has been more respected by his teammates than Kenton was, and few have made the impact on the wider campus that Kenton has. He'd like to play professional basketball, and he has a decent shot at getting drafted to do so. If he's not, he'll try his hand as a free agent. I'm not betting against him, are you? Kenton Lashley chose Lafayette, and we're all glad he did. Thanks for the memories, Kenton. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-13-2023 at 05:53 PM. |
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11-13-2023, 06:20 PM
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#374 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 11, 2026
Wonderful news! Kenton Lashley was chosen with the #59 pick--the penultimate pick--in the pro draft. Good luck to him as he prepares to battle for a roster spot. How does our recruiting class stack up? Code:
Extremely well! Herschel Middlebrooks was a four-star player when we recruited him. He was the #62 player in his class, and I thought that ranking always earned you four stars. Somewhere on his way to Easton, he lost a star. I'm okay with that. He's still the top gun in the most highly ranked class Graham Sims has ever signed. James Squire and Michael Briggs are both listed in the top 200. We took good looks at both of them, and I think they'll both be very good Patriot League players. Our prestige has climbed to 91! It's the same as Villanova's and three points lower than Pitt's. Our facilities score went up to 65, so the board kept the promise they made last year. They're promising to improve it again by next season, too.Graham levels up again this year, too. I decide to once again distribute his points evenly. Here's how he's looking now: Code:
We need to offer raises to two of Graham's assistants to keep them on board. Recruiting whiz Zane Lockhart wants a $20K/year raise, to $170,000; lead scout Chris Hogue wants $10K/year more, which will put him on $120,000. I think that's money well spent, so I agree to their requests. I have limited conference movement turned on, and only one change occurss. We're returning to the Patriot League again. Middle Tennessee State will move from the Sun Belt to the Southern Conference, trading places with Elon. We're returning to the Patriot League again. |
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11-14-2023, 03:38 PM
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#375 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2026
This email appeared in Graham Sims' inbox today: We have been following your progress and have decided it is time to offer you the chance to return to your alma mater as the head coach. Our prestige is currently 91. Last season our team budget was $721,250. We are a member of the Big East Conference. Last season our record was 24-9. Our last recruiting class was ranked #31. Will you lead us to greatness? We expect you to: Reach the Final Four. *****
A year ago, Villanova hired a veteran coach named Mark Pulliam. Coach Pulliam was in his early sixties; I don't recall his exact age. Now I can't look it up, because Coach Pulliam has announced his retirement. Villanova has offered its head coaching job to Graham again. I considered what to do, and this time Graham will take the Villanova job. In terms of gameplay, I'm ready for a new challenge. I was hoping the conference movement feature might kick in and move Lafayette to a bigger conference; I really wanted to see Lafayette move up to the Big East. Lafayette's program has outgrown the Patriot League. Its prestige is 91; the next highest Patriot League programs are Holy Cross at 55 and Colgate at 52. The gap between "the best" and "the rest" of the Patriot League is much, much greater than that in any other conference. It's not much fun playing the bully. I think I'll like the challenge of coaching a team that will be competitive in a power conference. Now, what will I do with Duncan Sims? This is more of a storyline question than a gameplay question. Duncan has been a good player at Lafayette, but he's not been a star. He developed into a valuable reserve as a sophomore, and he'll compete for a starting job as a junior. Duncan is good enough to make the Villanova roster, but he certainly wouldn't give the Wildcats a real advantage if I "traded" him for a player of relatively equal ability. Leaving Duncan at Lafayette while Graham moves to Villanova would be a possibility, but I don't like the way that feels, plot-wise. There have been coaches whose sons played for other teams. Jim Boeheim had a son playing for him at Syracuse while another played at Cornell. Tubby Smith coached his son G.G. at Georgia and left him there when he took the job at Kentucky. There, he coached another son, Saul, against G.G.'s Georgia team in 1997/98. But, while there's historical precedent for it, I've decided I don't want Graham to coach against Duncan. So I'm going to play Great Basketball Deity. Duncan Sims will transfer to Villanova this summer and sit out the 2026/27 season. I'll redshirt a Villanova player and turn him into Duncan. He'll complete his career playing for his dad. To me, the Dynasty Forum is all about storytelling. That's the chapter of this story I'd like to write. So it turns out that the profile I posted above will be a portrait of Graham Sims' career at Lafayette College. The next chapters of his story will be written at his alma mater. |
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11-14-2023, 03:59 PM
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#376 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2026
Lafayette replaced Graham with Douglas Richbourg, age 44, who had coached at Bucknell since the 2018/19 season. Coach Richbourg, who has also been the head coach at Coppin State and St. Francis (PA), has a career record of 254-221. Graham brought his coaching staff with him to Villanova, but almost immediately, his coaching assistant, Nathan Bailey, accepted the head coach's position at St. Francis (PA). I hire Dario Ferreira to replace Coach Bailey. Coach Ferreira is 51, and he's followed a winding path to the Main Line; he was an assistant at six different schools before landing the head job at St. Francis (NY). The native of Norton Shores, Michigan posted a record of 63-65 in four seasons there. Here's a look at the new Villanova coaching staff:  |
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11-14-2023, 06:32 PM
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#377 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2026
It just so happens that Villanova has a scholarship available to offer in the transfer portal. With just a touch of basketball magic, guard Duncan Sims has transferred from Lafayette to join his father. Code:
The younger Sims was a valuable member of the rotation at Lafayette last year, and he might have been the starting point guard had he chosen to return. He'll spend his redshirt year working on his game, and he'll compete for playing time in a deep and talented backcourt in 2027/28. |
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11-15-2023, 08:01 AM
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#378 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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November 1, 2026
Our first recruiting class at Villanova will consist of two players. The graduating seniors are a big man and a guard, but at first, I thought we'd recruit two post players. We seem to have a lot of wing players on our roster. Then I took a closer look, and I discovered we have a couple of tall players with "big man" skills who are listed at small forward. That gives us the option of recruiting a perimeter guy instead. We had recently been able to attract a slightly higher caliber of player to Lafayette in Graham's last year or two there, but the list of players who are interested in playing for Villanova still reflects a higher standard. This year's class features a number of very talented post players. There are two bigs we're very interested in, and both of them like us, too. Jimmy Cahoon is a 7'0" center from Levittown, PA, about 25 miles from campus. He's the #6 player in the class, and the #3 center. Jimmy has been a tremendous scorer at the high school level (37.3 PPG), but he's a relatively indifferent rebounder and defender. While it might be fun to watch Jimmy break the scoreboard, I want to infuse the Villanova program with the same DNA that made us so successful at Lafayette. That's why I prefer Avery Sullivan. We made him our #1 recruiting priority from the start, and he becomes the first commitment of the Graham Sims era at Villanova. Code:
Avery is certainly no slouch offensively, but his dedication to doing the dirty work in the paint makes him special. He rebounds aggressively and takes pride in playing stalwart defense and blocking shots. Incidentally, Avery had Lafayette on his original Top Five list. He's the first five-star talent to truly consider signing there out of high school. Jimmy Cahoon signs with Georgetown, so we'll be watching Avery battle him for the next few years in the Big East. There's also a highly-rated wing player from northern Virginia who's wanted to play for Villanova for years. Kelley Van Houten is a big guard who can, and will, guard one through four. He's also shown the ability to score in high school, and he might develop into a very good shooter at the next level. Code:
We like Kelley a lot; he's a DMV guy just like his head coach. Graham has helped a number of three-star wing players turn into future pros. Will Van Houten be the next one? Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 01-07-2024 at 01:41 PM. |
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11-15-2023, 10:50 AM
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#379 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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November 8, 2026
Let's meet Coach Sims' first Villanova team: Code:
How did they do in preseason training? Code:
Two starters from Mark Pulliam's only Villanova team are safe bets to return to their roles in Graham Sims' first starting five. Senior center Tommie Johnson averaged 11 points and almost 8 rebounds per game last season. Already a formidable post defender, Tommie worked on his game in camp and is now truly elite. His arsenal of post moves is good, and opponents have to guard him. His classmate, Bradley Christmas, will start once again at forward. He's improved his shooting percentages each year, and Coach Sims will look to him to take another step forward this season. Bradley averaged 11.6 points last season, and he's a very good rebounder for a mid-sized wing (6.8 RPG). He can defend big men, despite his 6'5" height. Sophomore Jacob Allen started at point guard last season. He's a fairly secure ballhandler, but he lacks a pure point's knack for distributing the ball. He'll move to shooting guard, while junior Devin Guzman takes over the responsibility for running Coach Sims' offense. Guzman, a transfer from Stanford, has played only 17 minutes in his collegiate career, but I believe his ballhandling, passing, and defensive abilities should enable him to handle the demands of Big East play. Meanwhile Allen, a very good shooter, will be free to do the things he does best. He improved his shot significantly during preseason practice. The fifth starter will be Bruno Le Fleurquin, a 6'8" junior forward. BLF was a Top Ten recruit as a high school senior in Quebec, and he's paid his dues as a rotation player. Now he'll be one of the focal points of the team. Freshman guard Corey Hicks will be the first man off the bench. He has exciting potential as a long-range shooter. Big man Jose Blanco and guard Charles Vancleave, both juniors, will also get significant playing time off the bench. Youngsters Richard Pray, Caleb Blaney, Joshua Parkin, and Douglas Dinkins will share the minutes that remain. The Villanova roster contains players recruited by two other coaches, so it's a bit challenging to know exactly what kinds of players they are. There's some talent available, based on the color ratings I see on the roster. Johnson and Le Fleurquin are Blue/Blue players. Allen, Guzman, and Blanco are Green/Blue, while Christmas is double Green. Hicks and Pray are Yellow/Blue. So is Duncan Sims, who is redshirting. Most of them were highly-regarded recruits. Christmas and Le Fleurquin were five-star high school seniors. Allen was a high four-star recruit, while Hicks, Dinkins, Pray, Blaney, and Johnson also earned four stars from the experts. Le Fleurquin is being touted as a possible first round pick in the pro draft, should he decide to leave school a year early. Coach Sims won lots of games with players like these at Lafayette. Can he do the same in the Big East? We're about to find out. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-15-2023 at 10:51 AM. |
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11-15-2023, 11:28 AM
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#380 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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November 15, 2026
@#15 Villanova 55, William & Mary 45 We don't shoot the ball well, but our defense does a very good job of locking down the Tribe as Graham Sims enjoys a victorious Villanova debut at the Finneran Pavilion. He's greeted warmly by the crowd, who remember him fondly as a walk-on from the Class of 2001. Tommie Johnson scores 7 points and grabs 7 rebounds, but he also blocks 5 shots and earns Player of the Game honors. Jacob Allen leads all scorers with 13 points, and Bradley Christmas ekes out a double-double (10p/10r). We commit only 6 turnovers, but new point guard Devin Guzman has 4 of them, canceling out his 3 assists. And Bruno Le Fleurquin can't find his shooting range, going 4-for-16 from the floor. Coach Sims catches up with Justice Daniels, whom he recruited as a high school senior. Justice scores 7 points and claims 5 rebounds tonight. Record: 1-0. November 18, 2026 @#12 Villanova 89, Fordham 74 Tommie Johnson demonstrates why professional scouts believe he'll hear his name called on Draft Night, filling the scoresheet beautifully (22p/8r/4a/3b). TJ gets scoring support from Bruno Le Fleurquin (18p/8r), Jacob Allen (13 points), and reserves Corey Hicks (11 points) and Jose Blanco (10 points). Devin Guzman looks much more comfortable tonight (9p/5a/1t). We give the Rams a few too many good looks at the basket, but we score the ball enough to make up for it. Record: 2-0. November 22, 2026 @#12 Villanova 65, Virginia 29 It's still hard for me to get my mind around how bad Virginia is in this universe. They opened their season at Lafayette, and the Leopards routed them, 77-45, in the first game of the post-Graham Sims era. Today, the Cavaliers make only 7 baskets (7-46) and a single three-pointer (1-12). They don't shoot foul shots well, either (14-28). We're sloppy, too, but it doesn't matter when your opponent is playing so badly. Bruno Le Fleurquin and Jacob Allen are the only two players on the court who appear to be the least bit interested in scoring points. They finish with 19 each. Tommie Johnson retrieves more than his share of all those missed shots, amassing 12 rebounds. Another former Lafayette recruit, Colton Laliberte, is the most accurate shooter among the 'Hoos today. Colton took two shots and made one of them. Charles Vancleave twists his knee, and he'll miss about a week. Record: 3-0. November 27, 2026 @#9 Villanova 69, Loyola-Maryland 54 Bradley Christmas has his way with the Greyhounds today, scoring 14 points and pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds as we close out an undefeated month. Jacob Allen scores 10, with 4 rebounds and 2 steals. We shoot terribly from behind the arc (4-for-23), with Tommie Johnson inexplicably letting fly 6 times and making one. Loyola's defensive game plan seems to call for their players to foul Jose Blanco every time he attempts to shoot. Jose sinks 10 of his 13 free throws, and leads all scorers with 16 points. Record: 4-0. Meanwhile, at Lafayette: Coach Douglas Richburg's Leopards are 3-3, including a brutal 3-game losing streak that saw them go down to California, Michigan State, and Cornell in order. Charles Allen is averaging 23.0 PPG, and Carter Todd averages a double-double (13.5 PPG/10.5 RPG). Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-15-2023 at 11:32 AM. |
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11-15-2023, 02:00 PM
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#381 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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December 2, 2026
@#9 Villanova 76, Bucknell 60 We rebound from a 36-30 halftime deficit to beat the visiting Bison, but it's a Pyrrhic victory. Bradley Christmas painfully dislocates his knee, and he'll be out of action until after the holiday that shares his name. Bruno Le Fleurquin (21p/8r) leads the way for us, with quality assistance from Devin Guzman (13p/5a/2t), Jacob Allen (13p/4r) and Jose Blanco (12p/9r). Blanco will join the starting five in Christmas' absence. Record: 5-0. December 4, 2026 #9 Villanova 74, @Colgate 49 Welcome to the starting lineup, Jose Blanco! The big man from Weequahic High scores 22 points and snares 10 boards in his first collegiate start. Bruno Le Fleurquin adds 18 more, and Jacob Allen contributes 10. Tommie Johnson (7p/9r) helps Blanco lock down the interior for us. Record: 6-0. December 10, 2026 @#12 Villanova 72, Radford 46 We drop three spots in the polls, probably as a result of our mediocre 115 RPI. Then we take out our frustration on the Highlanders. Jose Blanco and BLF evenly divide 34 points between themselves. Jacob Allen and Devin Guzman similarly split 8 assists. Blanco and Tommie Johnson pull down 8 rebounds each. Record: 7-0. December 12, 2026 @#12 Villanova 73, Northwestern 64 We finally face another opponent from another Level 5 conference, and we defeat them in a scrappy, hard-fought contest. The double-double styling of Tommie Johnson (15p/10r) and the timely scoring of BLF (17p/7r) are keys to our victory. Jose Blanco (10p/8r) and Jacob Allen (10p/4r) also play well. Record: 8-0. December 18, 2026 #10 Villanova 83, @Evansville 48 A pleasantly balanced team effort pays off with a big road win. Four Wildcats score in double figures: Bruno Le Fleurquin (17 points), Jose Blanco (16 points, 10-12 from the line), Jacob Allen (11 points) and Tommie Johnson (10p/12r). Devin Guzman mans the controls with a steady hand (8p/4a/0t). Record: 9-0. December 19, 2020 @#10 Villanova 74, Butler 60 The scheduling algorithm doesn't see a problem with having a team play in Indiana one night and returning home to play another school from Indiana the next night. Apparently the players and coaches in this universe are immune to fatigue, because Coach Sims and the Wildcats appear none the worse for wear in a nice victory over the Bulldogs. It's going to be difficult to tell Jose Blanco he's no longer a starter once Bradley Christmas heals. He leads a trio of Wildcats with double-doubles, combining 19 points with 10 rebounds. BLF (13p/14r/4a) and Tommie Johnson (12p/12r) complete our domination of the frontcourt. Blanco and Johnson block two shots each. Devin Guzman supplies the scorers with 6 assists. Record: 10-0. December 22, 2026 @#9 Villanova 78, American 66 Jacob Allen drops a season-high 20 on the Eagles in the Wildcats' last game of 2026. Bruno Le Fleurquin scores a dozen before leaving the game with an injury, and Jose Blanco is good for 10 more. BLM and Jose nab 7 rebounds each. We shoot very well: 57 percent from the field; 54 percent (7-13) from three; 79 percent from the line. Bruno's painfully twisted knee will need about a week to heal. Fortunately, we won't play again until January 6, and by then both he and Bradley Christmas should be back to full strength. Record: 11-0. Meanwhile, at Lafayette: On November 28, St. Joseph's breaks the Leopards' seemingly endless winning streak at the Kirby Center. The angry Leopards don't lose again until December 30, when Brown beats them by a single point. Now 9-5, Lafayette has returned to the Mid Major poll, at #10. Charles Allen (20.9 PPG/7.9 RPG) continues to make his claim for Patriot League Player of the Year. Carter Todd (12.9 PPG/10.9 RPG) and Bret Bryant are also playing well. So is freshman Tod Quiroz (10.2 PPG/3.5 APG). |
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11-15-2023, 02:27 PM
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#382 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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January 6, 2027
Code:
Five undefeated teams. Six ranked teams. The Big East is loaded this year. The 18-game conference slate will provide Coach Sims with a challenge that surpasses any he's encountered before. And, for nostalgia's sake, here's how the Patriot League looks on the eve of conference play: Code:
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11-15-2023, 03:36 PM
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#383 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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January 6, 2027
#10 Villanova 88, @Connecticut 69 Point guard Devin Guzman achieves career highs in points (19) and assists (6) to spark the Wildcats to victory in Coach Sims' Big East debut. Bradley Christmas returns to action as the sixth man tonight, scoring 13 points in 21 minutes, and Tommie Johnson notches another double-double (14p/10r). Richard Pray also ends up in double figures, scoring 10 off the bench--equaling the combined output of Jose Blanco and Bruno Le Fleurquin. Record: 12-0 (1-0). January 9, 2027 @#14 Rutgers 87, #10 Villanova 67 Jacob Allen's 24 points aren't enough to overcome a balanced and effective performance from the Scarlet Knights. BLF scores 14, and Bradley Christmas adds 8 with 10 rebounds. We make only 9 of our 31 three-point attempts, but we'd have needed more than that to turn this one into a victory. Record: 12-1 (1-1). January 13, 2027 #11 Villanova 64, @Cincinnati 53 A much better defensive effort, plus 20 points from Bruno Le Fleurquin, returns us to the winning side of the ledger. Bradley Christmas scores only 2 points in his return to the starting lineup, but he finds other ways to help: 6 rebounds, 6 assists. Tommie Johnson outplays Cincy's big men (11p/9r/4b). Devin Guzman adds 10 points. Record: 13-1 (2-1). January 16, 2027 #11 Villanova 67, @Louisville 55 Bruno Le Fleurquin steps up with 18 points and 5 rebounds as the Wildcats hand Louisville their first conference loss. Jacob Allen (12), Jose Blanco (12), and Devin Guzman (11) join BLF in double digits, and we make 53 percent of our shots while limiting the Cardinals to 36 percent. Record: 14-1 (3-1). January 20, 2027 @#8 Villanova 66, DePaul 53 Starting guards Devin Guzman (16) and Jacob Allen (14) combine for 30 points, and we keep the Blue Demons from getting their offense going before a big crowd at the Finneran Pavilion. DePaul makes only 15 of 46 shots, while we're particularly accurate from long distance (8-for-17). Allen and Guzman both shoot 3-for-6. Tommie Johnson scores 11 points, while BLF finishes with 11 rebounds. Record: 15-1 (4-1). January 22, 2027 @#8 Villanova 84, Seton Hall 66 The Wells Fargo Center falls silent late in the second half when Tommie Johnson falls heavily to the court, hitting his head on the floor. The senior center is strapped to a backboard, but he regains consciousness and moves his extremities as he's carried to an ambulance. Johnson is diagnosed with a severe concussion, and our medical staff believe he'll be out of action for at least six weeks. He could possibly return for the Big East tournament. Johnson had been playing a wonderful game, scoring 21 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Jose Blanco, who will replace him in the lineup, adds 19 more, and BLF posts 14 points and 10 rebounds. Devin Guzman hands out a career-high 9 assists, and Jacob Allen scores 13 points. The victory feels good, but losing TJ feels worse. Record: 16-1 (5-1). January 27, 2027 #6 Villanova 75, @Notre Dame 69 Bradley Christmas stuffs the scoresheet (15p/7r/5a) and Jose Blanco plays big (19p/9r) as we come from behind to beat the Fighting Irish at the Joyce Center. Bruno Le Fleurquin (10p/10r) and Devin Guzman (12 points) also distinguish themselves. With our victory, we move into a tie with Georgetown for the Big East lead. Louisville also has a 6-1 conference record, but we beat the Cardinals earlier this month. Record: 17-1 (6-1). January 30, 2027 #14 West Virginia 70, @#6 Villanova 59 Full credit to the Mountaineers for playing the best defense we've seen all year. We commit 14 turnovers and shoot 19-for-62. Jose Blanco leads the Wildcats with 15 points, and Devin Guzman scores 11 with 6 assists. Bruno Le Fleurquin collects 11 rebounds, but he also shoots 1-10. Bradley Christmas has 10 rebounds and 8 points. Record: 17-2 (6-2). As the month closes, let's look at the standings. Code:
And, over in the Patriot League, the beat goes on for the Leopards: Code:
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11-17-2023, 11:13 AM
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#384 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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February 3, 2027
@#10 Villanova 72, Cincinnati 66 Our post players feast on the Bobcats, both big men posting double-doubles tonight. Jose Blanco (10p/11r/2b) and Bradley Christmas (12p/11r/6a) give Cincinnati's post players fits, despite giving up quite a bit of size. Christmas, in particular, is undersized for his role at 6'5" and 225 pounds or so. They're two of five double figure scorers for us, joined by Bruno Le Fleurquin (11p), Jacob Allen (12p/5r/3a) and reserve Richard Pray (13 points in 15 minutes). Record: 18-2 (7-2). February 6, 2027 South Florida 67, @#10 Villanova 65 Bobby Judd's basket with 11 seconds remaining gives the Bulls, who are now 3-6 in Big East play, a big road win at the Wells Fargo Center. The winning points are two of 24 scored, off the bench, by their dynamic freshman guard. We play sloppy basketball, committing 19 turnovers, and allow South Florida to get back into the game after we lead by 11 points with 15 minutes remaining. Jacob Allen leads us in scoring with 15 points. Bradley Christmas adds 11 with 9 rebounds, Devin Guzman hands out 6 assists, and BLF pulls in 11 rebounds. Record: 18-3 (7-3). February 10, 2027 @#19 Villanova 82, Providence 72 We return to our winning ways, pulling away from the Friars in the second half at Finneran Pavilion. Jose Blanco (20p/7r) and BLF (19p/6r/4a) are the biggest stars, and Devin Guzman adds 13 points and 4 helpers. We're tied with Rutgers for third place in the league. In a battle for the top spot, Georgetown goes to Louisville and thrashes the Cardinals, 89-61. Record: 19-3 (8-3). February 13, 2027 #19 Villanova 70, @Syracuse 65 I admit it; it's actually fun to go into a conference game--especially a road game--and realize we'll have to play our best to win. Of course, it helps that we have a real chance to make that happen, like we did today at Syracuse. Jacob Allen nets 21 to lead all scorers. Bradley Christmas (15p/6r) and Bruno Le Fleurquin (11p/7r) provide quality assistance. We're especially accurate from three-point distance (9-for-17), and that makes the difference today. Record: 20-3 (9-3). February 17, 2027 #15 Villanova 87, @Marquette 79 The Golden Eagles are in the middle of the Big East pack, hoping to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament field. A win against us would have helped, but we do enough to earn another away victory. Marquette simply has no answer for Jose Blanco, who rips them for a career-high 28 points and 11 rebounds. Bruno Le Fleurquin is also dominant, with 21 points and 12 boards. Jacob Allen (15 points) and Devin Guzman (6 assists) also play well. Again, I'm not thrilled with our 19 turnovers, but especially good shooting (50% from the floor and from three-point range) bails us out. Record: 21-3 (10-3). February 20, 2027 @#15 Villanova 72, Connecticut 58 We win another marquee matchup at the Wells Fargo Center, overcoming a miserable night of shooting threes (2-for-18) with indomitable post play from Jose Blanco and BLF. Jose scores 27 points, giving him 55 in two games. Bruno scores 20, and pulls down 17 rebounds, a career high. Record: 22-3 (11-3). Code:
Look at this battle for the Big East title! Isn't this fun? We'll host Georgetown and Rutgers before the season ends, so our championship destiny is in our own hands. I'll break here, rather than at the end of the month, because it feels right to end this chapter on a more dramatic note. |
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11-17-2023, 11:33 AM
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#385 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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I just noticed a very cool coincidence!
The coaches who are trading the #1 and #2 places at the top of the career wins leaderboard are both graduates of Villanova University. Let's take a look at the illustrious career of Douglas Gillum, Villanova '84, before he hangs up his whistle and I can't retrieve his coaching page. Code:
Coach Gillum's ability to scout his opponents is unmatched. He's also widely known as an offensive guru, a master of shot selection whose teams regularly average 80 points per game and make almost half their shots. His record of 11 conference championships ranks second among all NCAA coaches, behind Graham Sims' 13. To be fair, Coach Gillum's titles have all been won in two of the best conferences in the country: the SEC and the Big 12. |
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11-17-2023, 02:40 PM
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#386 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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While I was looking around at the different stats/numbers the game generates, I became curious about how Villanova's facilities and budget stack up to the rest of the Big East.
Code:
We have the third largest budget in the conference, behind Georgetown and Pitt, just ahead of Notre Dame. Those four schools also spend more than we do on staff salaries. Our facilities rank fifth, behind the perfect scores achieved by UConn, Georgetown, and Pitt, and just a notch behind West Virginia. Who's the highest-paid assistant coach in the Big East? Pitt is paying two of their assistants salaries in the $200,000/year range. Both of them rate out at a perfect 100 in their specialties. The Panthers' lead scout, Carl Drummond, earns $197,763/year. Coach Drummond spent six years as an assistant at North Carolina before he was hired for the head job at Grambling State. He was fired in 2022 after four years, and Pitt hired him for his current position in 2025. Recruiting coordinator John Abney earns even more, pulling in $203,450/year. Coach Abney was the lead recruiter for 4 years at Kentucky, and after the Wildcats fired him in 2026 he was out of work until the Panthers hired him in 2022. Zane Lockhart is our highest-paid assistant, earning $170,000/year for his work as Graham Sims' recruiting specialist. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-17-2023 at 02:41 PM. |
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11-21-2023, 12:08 PM
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#387 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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February 24, 2027
#11 Villanova 71, @Pittsburgh 67 The Wildcats come from behind to earn a big road win. We take the lead for the final time on an electrifying dunk by Bruno Le Fleurquin with 56 seconds remaining. Bradley Christmas posts a double-double (12p/13r), and Devin Guzman leads the 'Cats with 14 points. BLF finishes with 8 points and 11 boards. Graham Sims evens his lifetime record against his talented contemporary from Pitt, Blaine Boyd: 2 wins, 2 losses. Record: 23-3 (12-3). February 27, 2027 #3 Georgetown 76, @#11 Villanova 63 Charles Muller, a junior forward who averages 21 PPG, hits for 24 against us and leads the powerful Hoyas to a victory that puts them one step closer to a Big East title. Bradley Christmas leads us with 16 points and 7 assists, and BLF adds 14. Jose Blanco pulls down 11 rebounds and Devin Guzman scores 10 points. Georgetown and Louisville are both 14-2 in conference play, while we and Rutgers are two games back at 12-4. Record: 23-4 (12-4). March 3, 2027 @#11 Villanova 56, #10 Rutgers 55 This one deserves a full box score. Code:
It wasn't the classic the scoreline might indicate. Both teams squander chances to either (1) put the game away or (2) seal a come-from-behind victory. For example, after we commit a shot clock violation, Jose Blanco fouls Phil McAfee on a shot that would never have gone in, and McAfee makes both free throws to tie the score at 55. Bradley Christmas celebrates his Senior Day by sinking a game-winning free throw with five seconds left. Since this is that kind of game, Bradley misses one first, turning up the pressure to epic levels. Unfortunately, Tommie Johnson can't fully enjoy his last appearance at Finneran Pavilion. He dresses for the game and makes a one-minute cameo, simply so the crowd can applaud him twice more. Record: 24-4 (13-4). March 6, 2027 #11 Villanova 61, @ St. John's 48 We finish the regular season with a victory over a lack-luster St. John's team, with four players scoring in double figures. Jose Blanco (14p/15r) is the biggest star, but Bruno Le Fleurquin (12p/11r) isn't far behind him. Jacob Allen (game-high 15p) and Bradley Christmas (10p/7r/4b) round out the balanced attack. Devin Guzman keeps the scorers happy with 6 assists. Record: 25-4 (14-4). Meanwhile, at Lafayette: The team Coach Sims assembled is still dominating the Patriot League. The Leopards finish the season 13-1 in the conference, winning it by four full games. They're 25-6 overall, ranked #20 in the latest poll. |
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11-21-2023, 03:34 PM
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#388 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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March 11, 2027
Big East Tournament Quarterfinal (2) #10 Villanova 63, (7) Syracuse 62 We earn a bye to the quarterfinal, where we face a Syracuse team that is a very, very good seven seed and escape by a single point...thanks to an unexpected hero. Sophomore wing Richard Pray is in the game at crunch time because Bruno Le Fleurquin has already fouled out. We trail, 62-61 as the clock ticks down. Pray takes a pass from Jacob Allen and drives the left baseline. He misses the shot, but he's fouled, and with two tenths of a second remaining, Richard drains both free throws to punch our ticket to the conference semifinal. Allen leads us with 15 points, while Bradley Christmas notches his fifth double-double of the season (13p/10r). Jose Blanco pulls down 11 rebounds, and Devin Guzman hands out 5 assists. It's a sloppy game, with both teams shooting in the vicinity of 40 percent, and we do enough to win...thanks to a player who sees the court for only four minutes. Record: 26-4. March 12, 2027 Big East Tournament Semifinal (2) #10 Villanova 64, (3) Louisville 49 We suffocate the Cardinals on defense, holding them to 22 points in the first half, and comfortably advance to the tournament final. Six Wildcats score between 8 and 13 points. BLF (13p/10r) would have been a good PoG shout, but Jose Blanco (13p/9r/2b) edges him out. I'm proud of our 10-for-19 marksmanship from behind the three-point arc. We'll have a rematch with Georgetown in the championship game, as the Hoyas rout Notre Dame, 88-54, in the other semifinal. Record: 27-4. March 13, 2027 Big East Tournament Final (1) #3 Georgetown 80, (2) #10 Villanova 77 This one hurts. Code:
We're ahead, 69-63, with 1:50 remaining when Bruno Le Fleurquin steps to the line to shoot one-and-one. I feel very good about our chances at this point. But BLF bricks the first free throw, and the Hoyas have a lease on life. They take it. Charles Muller, who has already scored 34 points tonight, ends up making a contested three to tie the score at 70 and send the game to overtime. The Hoyas then do what excellent teams do, taking control of the game and lifting the tournament trophy. Muller finishes with 40 points, the most a player has ever scored against a Graham Sims-coached team. This is the 100th loss of Graham's career, against 455 victories. Record: 27-5. Meanwhile, at Lafayette: The #19 Leopards roll through the Patriot League tournament, winning three games by an aggregate score of 263-188. Charles Allen scores 38 points in the championship game, an 86-57 dismantling of Bucknell. They take a 27-6 record into the NCAA tourney. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-21-2023 at 03:35 PM. |
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11-28-2023, 04:37 PM
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#389 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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March 14, 2027
NCAA tournament bids go out today, and we're given the 3 seed in the East Region. Eight Big East teams--half the conference--are invited to the Big Dance. None of the remaining eight teams are invited to the NIT. Lafayette is the 10 seed in our region. If both of them keep winning, Graham's present team will face his former team in the Sweet Sixteen. March 19, 2027 NCAA East Region (3) #6 Villanova 86, (14) Central Connecticut State 72 The Blue Devils enter the game with a 22-11 record, and it's clear from the opening tip that they know how to play basketball. Forward Charles Sitton and reserve guard Richard Rodriguez spur CCSU to a 47-40 halftime lead. We reel off a 15-2 run to open the second half and take control from there, but it never seems as easy as the final score might indicate. Tommie Johnson isn't ready to take his Villanova jersey off for the last time. He leads all scorers with 20 points. Bruno Le Fleurquin (19 points) Jacob Allen (17), Bradley Christmas (16), and reserve Jose Blanco (10) join TJ in double figures. Johnson and Blanco each have 9 rebounds, and Devin Guzman hands out 6 assists. Lafayette beats Nevada, 80-66. Charles Allen (24p/10r) is superb, but Carter Todd gets hurt very early in the game and might not be ready to face Tennessee in two days. Record: 28-5. March 21, 2027 NCAA East Region, Second Round (3) #6 Villanova 61, (6) #21 Wake Forest 55 The Demon Deacons have played solid defense all season long. They do so again today, limiting us to 36.7% shooting and 4-for-14 from three-point range. We rely on our own defensive intensity to squeeze out a win and advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Bruno Le Fleurquin is the one Wildcat they can't seem to stop; he continues his strong play with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Tommie Johnson records a double-double too--13 points, 10 rebounds--and he adds 7 blocked shots. Jose Blanco nearly joins him: 9 points, 11 rebounds. Everyone in Lafayette's locker room knows what a victory over a powerful Tennessee team could mean, and they defeat the #4 ranked Vols, 75-67. Once again, the star is Charles Allen, who pours in 30 points. So it will be Villanova vs. Lafayette, meeting in the Sweet Sixteen. Record: 29-5. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-28-2023 at 08:18 PM. |
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11-28-2023, 09:05 PM
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#390 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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March 25, 2027
NCAA East Region Semifinal...the Sweet Sixteen (3) #6 Villanova 93, (10) #19 Lafayette 74 The NCAA Tournament committee might not have set the brackets to create a possible Villanova-Lafayette matchup, but I'm sure they aren't disappointed when events play out this way. Every player who appears in tonight's game has been coached by or recruited by Graham Sims. A number of them won an NCAA championship with him. Some pundits wondered if Coach Sims would wear his championship ring for tonight's game. His reply was very simple: "I never wear it on the court." Bruno Le Fleurquin's jumper from the left wing gives Villanova a 49-46 lead at the end of a wide-open first half. After intermission, both coaches make adjustments. Douglas Richbourg and Graham Sims have faced each other a dozen times or so; remember, Coach Richbourg came to Lafayette from Bucknell. The game remains close well into the second half. Charles Allen hits a jumper to bring Lafayette within four points, 73-69, with seven minutes left, and then both defenses trade stops for nearly two minutes before Tommie Johnson rebounds a Corey Hicks miss and dunks it. Johnson's basket, along with an epidemic of foul trouble in the Lafayette backcourt, opened the floodgates, and Coach Sims and the Wildcats rode the wave to victory. Code:
We move on to the East Region Final, and we'll have to manage without BLF. After the game, he's diagnosed with a broken foot. Bruno has played himself into the first round of almost everybody's mock draft. Has he played his final game in a Villanova uniform? Record: 30-5. |
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11-29-2023, 08:31 AM
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#391 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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March 27, 2027
NCAA East Region Final...the Elite Eight (3) #6 Villanova 69, (4) #10 Kansas 64 The three winningest coaches in our universe are all assigned to the NCAA tournament's East Region this year. Mervin Heron's North Carolina team are seeded first, but they go out at the hands of Syracuse--once again, a very dangerous tournament team carrying a high seed. The Orange then meet Douglas Gillum's Kansas Jayhawks, who beat them, 80-66, in the Sweet Sixteen. Coach Gillum enters the game with a career record of 457-100. Coach Sims' record at tipoff is 458-100. And, remember...both coaches are Villanova alums. We lead by 11 at the half, and by 15 with five minutes left...but a 16-4 run by the Jayhawks makes it a three-point game with eight seconds left. Devin Guzman's free throws make the score 69-64, and Brian Rex's last shot is no good. Jose Blanco, who returns to the starting five in Bruno Le Fleurquin's absence, is the star, scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Tommie Johnson (11p/10r) notches a double-double too, Guzman scores 10 points, and Jacob Allen hands out 6 assists. The Villanova board challenged Coach Sims to take the Wildcats to the Final Four this season. That's exactly what he's done! Record: 31-5. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-29-2023 at 08:33 AM. |
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11-29-2023, 08:49 AM
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#392 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 3, 2027
NCAA Semifinal...the Final Four #6 Villanova 75, #11 Illinois 62 We move one step closer to Coach Sims' second national championship with a victory over Illinois that features far fewer dramatic moments than either of our previous two wins. Villanova maintains a double-digit lead for 32 of the game's 40 minutes. We make just under half our shots, while holding the Fighting Illini to 36 percent shooting. Once again, two of our players achieve double-doubles: Jose Blanco (20p/11r) and Bradley Christmas (15p/15r), who adds 4 assists and 2 blocked shots to earn PoG honors. Jacob Allen scores 14. Georgetown and Stanford meet in the other national semifinal. Somehow Georgetown is assigned to the West Region while Stanford represents the South. The Hoyas prevail, 84-68, so it will be an all-Big East national final. We'll face a Georgetown team that has beaten us twice already, the last time in the Big East tournament championship game. Record: 32-5. |
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11-29-2023, 09:35 AM
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#393 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 5, 2027
NCAA National Championship Game Code:
An exceptionally good Georgetown team defeats us in a game worthy of a national championship. Until we begin to foul in the closing minutes to try to get the ball, it's never more than a four-point game. Hoyas coach Wallace Hastings has the services of three A-level stars: high-scoring wing Charles Muller; huge (7'3") center Dwayne Ecker; all-purpose lead guard Louis DiCarlo. All three play well, but none of them is insanely good tonight. Muller, who gashed us for 40 in the Big East final, scores 25, and we feel like we defend him fairly well (he shoots 9-for-25 and commits 5 turnovers). Ecker is outplayed by our Tommie Johnson, but he still manages to block 4 shots. DiCarlo is named the Player of the Game, on the strength of a 13-point, 5-rebound, 3-steal game. The Hoyas are probably the best defensive team in the nation. They force 20 turnovers and commit only 8 themselves. They attempt 24 free throws and make 22 of them. Do those things, and you'll almost certainly win. For us, Tommie Johnson and Bradley Christmas acquit themselves well in their final collegiate games, with the exception of Christmas's 5 turnovers. In fact, none of our guys play that badly. Georgetown is simply a very good team, and a deserving national champion. Record: 32-6. |
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11-29-2023, 09:46 AM
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#394 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 5, 2027
The Big East yearly awards don't feature any Villanova players. There are 16 teams in the conference--twice as many as there are in the Patriot League--and some of these teams are very good. Code:
Lafayette's Charles Allen is the Patriot League Player of the Year, and a first team All-Patriot League selection. He is joined in the first team by Carter Todd and Bret Bryant. Graham's successor, Douglas Richburg, is the conference's Coach of the Year. So, while I'm at it, I'll take a look at the national awards, too... Code:
Massive congratulations to Charles Allen and Carter Todd, the first All-Americans to play for Lafayette. Coach Sims can rightfully claim part of the credit for their achievement. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-29-2023 at 09:49 AM. |
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11-29-2023, 10:13 AM
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#395 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 5, 2027
Code:
I inherited a very good team at Villanova. This year's roster contained a core of players who can play the kind of basketball Graham Sims wants them to play. That's one reason why I made the move to Villanova when I did. As I fill the program with my own recruits, I'll try to craft a team with the same DNA as the one I built at Lafayette. Look at the difficulty of Villanova's schedule. We played 16 games against teams ranked in the top 50. An 11-5 record against teams that good is a significant accomplishment. Georgetown went 15-2 (!!) against the best competition, and Louisville (9-8) was the only other Big East team to play more than .500 ball against Top 50 opponents. In contrast, Lafayette played only five games against the Top 50, and went 2-3. The Leopards went 13-3 against teams ranked from 101-200, and 12-1 against the bottom-dwellers. We only played four teams from the bottom tier all year long. |
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11-29-2023, 12:06 PM
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#396 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 7, 2027
Code:
Code:
Code:
"Balanced" is the first word that comes to mind when I look at these stats. Six players averaged at least 8.0 PPG, and none averaged more than 13.5. Three Wildcats averaged between 7.5 and 8.2 RPG. This kind of statistical distribution doesn't earn players postseason honors, but it took us to the national championship game. Other things that jump off the page at me:
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11-29-2023, 12:17 PM
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#397 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 10, 2027
We wait until Draft Day for an announcement from Bruno Le Fleurquin. Will he be returning to school for his senior season, or will he try his luck in the pro draft? When the news arrives, it's good news for us. BLF decides to remain a Wildcat. Did his broken foot affect his decision? Bradley Christmas goes undrafted, but he's planning to try his luck as a free agent. Tommie Johnson hears his name called in Round Two; he is the 47th player chosen. Jamal Jeter, whom we briefly recruited at Lafayette before he signed with Notre Dame, is the #3 pick. Charles Muller, our friendly nemesis from Georgetown, goes at #5. Lafayette's Carter Todd is the first pick in Round Two (#31). I'm surprised that Charles Allen is undrafted. I wonder how often that happens to a first team All-American? |
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11-29-2023, 12:38 PM
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#398 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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April 10, 2027
Code:
Here's the good news: We have the #19 recruiting class in the nation. Here's the bad news: We have the #4 recruiting class in the Big East. West Virginia's class is fronted by Chris Evan, the #1 recruit in the nation, but he's far from the only star in their top-ranked group. Two other incoming Mountaineers, big man Booker Brent and muscular wing Charles Dennis, are five-star recruits, and all three are the reigning Mr. Basketball in their state. Veteran coach Joseph Strickland is working recruiting magic in Morgantown. Center Jimmy Cahoon is Georgetown's prize recruit. He was high on Villanova as a high school senior, and we basically chose Avery Sullivan instead. I wonder if we've made the correct choice? Pitt doesn't have a five-star player in their class, but their haul of four four-star guys is led by super-athletic guard Lamar Gibson. Avery Sullivan, the #3 player in the Class of 2027, arrives on campus as a Green player with Blue potential. He's almost exactly as good as our scouting reports said. Our other new recruit, high three-star guard Kelley Van Houten, is an Orange/Green guy. Once again, we scouted him fairly accurately. Marquette's Ellsworth Williams, the #12 player in the nation, Notre Dame's Nathaniel Pettus (#14), and Syracuse's Samuel Williams (#23), are the other five-star recruits who will join Big East teams this coming season. Lafayette recruited the #25 class in the nation, led by two four-star players: PG Garth Hartsfield and PF Jack Herold. Last edited by MoonlightGraham : 11-29-2023 at 01:03 PM. |
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11-29-2023, 02:38 PM
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#399 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2027
Zane Lockhart's name had started to come up when people discussed assistant coaches who might be ready to head their own programs. I try to keep Zane on the Main Line by giving him a raise, but he accepts the head coaching job at Eastern Kentucky. Coach Lockhart is the seventh of Graham's former assistants to hold head coaching positions. Six of them still have top jobs. Code:
None of them have managed to replicate their mentor's success over time. The jury is still out on Coach Bailey, who had a fine first season at St. Francis. Best of luck, Coach Lockhart. History suggests you might need it. Now I need to find a new Recruiting Coordinator. The Villanova board suggests I keep our staff budget below $504,000, which gives us over $200,000 to spend. There are a number of very attractive coaches on the market, including some who have been head coaches at top-tier programs. I make offers to seven or eight of these coaches, and I end up landing the one I wanted most. Mississippi State has been one of the most successful programs in my universe. The Bulldogs won the NCAA championship in 2018 and 2020, and have made it to the Final Four three other times. They've been coached by legends like Douglas Gillum (2010-2014) and James Berube (2014-2023). Coach Berube's successor, Galen Rock, retired a few weeks ago. The new Bulldogs head man brought in his own staff, which means coaches like Edward Volkman are looking for work. I give Coach Volkman $205,000 reasons to come to Villanova, and he accepts the job. Coach Volkman is 33 years old, and he's already a Level 10 coach with maxed out Recruiting and Scouting skill. For those reasons, he's probably not destined to stay with Coach Sims for long; he's a future head coach in the making. But, for now, he'll be able to hone his craft beside the career wins leader in this dynasty. (That does feel good to write.) In other coaching news: Vanderbilt's Stephen Rubalcaba decides it's time to hang up his whistle. The Commodores can shop on High Street for their new coach, and they hire Daniel Chouinard away from Illinois. Coach Chouinard, 53, arrives in Nashville with a 436-125 career record and one national championship on his resume. |
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11-29-2023, 02:56 PM
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#400 |
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High School Varsity
Join Date: Sep 2022
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May 1, 2027
We learn that SF Douglas Dinkins has decided to transfer from our program. I feel a little bad for Douglas. A very solid, four-star player who ranked in the top 100 nationwide, he was recruited to Villanova by my predecessor. I had a hard time finding playing time for him; he's good, but he wasn't better than Bradley Christmas or Bruno Le Fleurquin, and his lack of interest in playing defense (D potential) makes him a less-than-perfect fit for our style. I'll play a guy like that, but only if he can score the ball like Joe Lien or Byron Shores. Douglas ends up signing with Michigan, and I wish him well in the Big Ten. When I look at the list of players who are entering the portal, I don't see anyone who has much interest in playing for us. I spot the distinctive name of Herschel Middlebrooks, whom Coach Sims signed for Lafayette before he took the Villanova job. I offer Herschel a chance to play for Graham, but he turns it down and will instead play against us for West Virginia. We don't end up signing any transfers, so I'll have an additional scholarship to offer a Class of '28 recruit. |
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