Support Villanova: Buy or Sell?

When Jameer Nelson, Delonte West, and Phil Martelli lead St. Joes into the NCAA tournament a few years back as a number one seed it seemed to me that all of Philadelphia was pulling for them.  This year, Villanova, baring a collapse in the Big East Tournament, will be a number one seed as well, but do they have the support of Philadelphia?  With the news that Allen Ray's knee injury isn't much too worry about, Villanova is one of the elite teams in college basketball with a legit chance to win 6 straight games in March.

I really can't get a feel for the vibe from Philadelphians regarding Villanova.  Will the hoopla behind them build as the tournament approaches?  Will the haters simply hate because 'Nova hails from the stuffy Main Line, not truly a part of Philadelphia?  St. Joe's was an easy decision for most: a small Philly school with the local boy turned NCAA player of the year lead by the gritty Martelli.

I guess what I'm getting at is who is really excited for Villanova?  Anyone who isn't a current student or alum?  I will likely pull for them, but I have no strong feelings either way.  Any SJU or TU alums out there who hope 'Nova loses in the first round?

Comments

[Jeff Martin]

I'm an SJU alum two times over (bachelors and masters degrees) and now an employee, and I'm not rooting for 'Nova to go out in the first round, but I'm also holding out on pulling for them until the tournament. I have to see where they land, who they play, and so on. I will say that I openly rooted for UConn this weekend.

I don't get the sense that most Main Liners were cheering for the Hawks in the perfect seasons...if anything, they seemed ambivalent to the whole thing, which is a big part of the reason for our rivalry with them.

[SID]

yo rick whats up? couldn't find better looking nova women, the school has some of the best look women in the country and those girls are all you could find.

yo, why is memphis ranked higher then nova, who the f did they beat? they lost to texas and duke, and beat a bunch of nobodies but yet are still ranked 3 in the country, the conference they are in sucks and nova is in the best conference in college basketball, can anyone explain this for me.

kaitlin, what is your myspace name so i can make fun of how scummy your friends pictures are.

[enrico]

Sid, I challenge you to find pictures of hot Villanova chics wearing gear supporting their hoops team.

[fp]

I am graduating from SJU and I am rooting for Nova to go all the way. It's nothing but good for the city(though I guess you could say they aren't really in the city).

[YT]

SJU Alum, Philly sports fan born and raised. I hope Nova loses to the winner of the play in game. Ya, I said it.

I can suspend my partisenship for any Philly team, Lasalle, Penn, yes even Temple despite the Goongate episode. But not for Nova, they are the Duke of the big 5 and will get no love east of City Ave.

I'd sooner root for Pitt.

[Uncle Ed]

First and foremost I am a Villanova fan, like most Villanova grads in this area. Secondly, we are Big 5 fans. Anytime a Big 5 team participates in a post season tournament we root for the Big 5 team. Somehow, there is an anti-Villanova sentiment in this city, probably because of what Rollie Massino did in the 80's- almost ending the Big 5 and because everyone has the preconceived notion that all Villanova grads are stuffed shirt Main Liners. This is a fallacy and I hope everyone comes around. It will sure be an exciting tournament.

Mark my words we will be in the top ten next year too.

Go Cats!

Uncle Ed

[enrico]

Being from the Philly area but not having attended any of the Big 5 schools, I'm kind of with Uncle Ed on this one. If any of the Big 5 schools made it to the national stage, I'm pretty sure I'd root for them.