SOMEBODY SHOULD SAY IT, SO HERE GOES ...

 

Based on one game – which isn’t fair, of course – Villanova, 

nevertheless, lucked out when Tyler Burton opted to leave the 

University of Richmond for his final season of eligibility.

One of four transfers for second-year coach Kyle Neptune, the 6-7, 

215 pounder had a game-high 15 points Friday night (Nov. 17) as the 

21st-ranked Wildcats prevailed over offensively-challenged Maryland. 

Final score was 57-40.

In all, Burton played 20 minutes, scoring 10 points in the first half 

including a three-pointer from the left corner. He started and made an 

instant impact, laying out to dive for a loose ball. Twice he produced 

highlight field goals … bursting down the lane to turn a poor pass into 

two points then, on the run, pulling up and hitting three points from 

well outside the arc.

The pressure is really on Neptune this season after going 17-17 a year 

ago when Villanova failed to make the NCAA tournament for the first 

time since 2012. With that in mind, he fortified his already-veteran 

lineup with transfers, something much-decorated successor Jay 

Wright seldom did.

Of the new quartet that opted to join the program, guard TJ Bamba 

from Washington State and Burton were the only starters against 

Maryland. Four games (3-1) down, Burton is second in scoring, first in 

rebounding. Best of all – it says here – he does everything within the 

context of team.

He seldom forces things. On offense, he’s always in motion … looking 

to set a screen or find an opening for a pass and easy layup – which, 

unfortunately, his teammates seldom are willing (or able) to make. 

Defensively, it’s obvious he had some good instruction during four 

years at UR. For one thing, Burton always is aware of where his man 

is and boxes out on shots from the floor, which has become a lost art, it 

appears.

He is the total package, something TV analyst Bill Raftery, a former 

coach of some note, should appreciate. Instead, he spent most of the 

game talking about everyone but Burton, who was easily the best 

player on the floor.

Finally, in response to a graphic that said Burton fears snakes and 

would like to live on a private island, Raftery said, “He’s been on a 

private island his whole career.” Ha-ha! Ho-ho!

“I don’t know what that means … but it’s funny,” said TV partner 

Brandon Gaudin. Wonderful.

DESPITE ATTEMPTS by local media to gloss over reality … Ryan 

Odom might be faced with his most challenging season as first-year 

coach of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rams. They don’t 

shoot the ball very well … that is, when they take the time to launch it 

with reasonable expectations of being successful.

Saturday, VCU survived 60-56 against Seattle (University of) in one of 

those games where, regardless of the outcome, the prevailing opinion 

on the losing side is: We beat ourselves. With reason.

The longer the game went the more the teams seemingly tried not to 

win. The Rams, who led by 10 points early, trailed by as many as nine 

with about six minutes to go only to watch Seattle be the perfect guest, 

jacking up terrible shots or turning the ball over, in other words, 

joining the hosts in something akin to a pick-up affair … too much 

one-on-one, take-it-to-the-hoop mentality invariably leading too often 

to a turnover.

VCU finally moved ahead to stay on a three-pointer by Jason Nelson, 

who played well for the University of Richmond for a while a season 

ago then transferred for reasons only he and UR coach Chris Mooney 

know for sure. 

Oh, we should mention  Tobi Lawal, who passed the ball to Nelson, 

walked before turning it loose. He picked up his dribble, then hesitated 

while taking another step … which almost always leads to automatic 

change of possession.

Of course, the official nearest to Lawal, never blinked … and 

swallowed his whistle … as if to say: Did he really do what I think he 

did? Naaa … impossible! Play on.

Don’t be surprised if the Rams are very active in the transfer portal. 

And Odom is likely to run into predecessor at VCU, Mike Rhoades 

whose team at Penn State rates at the bottom of the Big 10 with 

returning players accounting for only FOUR percent of the Nittany 

Lions’ points from 2022-23. Next lowest comes in at around 25 

percent.

I know, I know … State is 4-0. Last time out full-court pressure that 

has been a Rhoades’ trademark created 29 lost possessions against 

Morehead State. That included 14 steals and at least two 10-second 

backcourt infractions.

Let’s wait until PSU plays a REAL team.

WHO IS the planet’s most dominant athlete? Glad you asked.

Here’s a vote for Max Verstappen, who – literally – is running away 

from the rest of the Formula One racing crew. Sunday, he won for the 

18th time in 21 starts this season, taking the checkered flag in Las 

Vegas after saying how much he disliked the place.

PAUL AZINGER is out as lead golf analyst on NBC. His contract 

wasn’t renewed after five … ahhh, unremarkable years alongside Dan 

Hicks. Azinger joins Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch, who were cut 

loose by the Peacock earlier. Who knew? Who cared?

There was no indication who would replace Azinger. Isn’t Rory 

McIlroy available?

Until next time ...