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THE HAS BINN EST. 1989 TOURNAMENT EDITION 2016 THE HAS BINN EST. 1989 TOURNAMENT EDITION 2016 THE HAS BINN EST. 1989 TOURNAMENT EDITION 2016 THE HAS BINN EST. 1989 TOURNAMENT EDITION 2016 What’s up folks? making Villanova go farther because my eyes have been opened. Here’s another edition of your beloved newsletter, The Has Binn. While it’s As I watched these wonderful men play been a common practice to release an on the court, I’ve come to realize that not edition at the midterm of the semester, I only the fire and passion within their knew deep down in my heart and soul hearts were going to carry them till the that my baby Ryan Arcidiacono (son of very end, but also physically, their bodies Darrun Hilliard) would lead this won- were beautifully crafted to execute the derful and unselfish team to win the most athletic tasks necessary to win a NCAA Men’s 2016 Championship. So I championship. wanted to faithfully wait to do a Tourna- Jimmy, do you have a low-key crush on ment/Champion edition. the team? Jimmy is a hater and had Villanova los- Yes...I think I do, especially on my man- ing to Iowa in the second round. Go friend Mikal Bridges. It’s astonishing check out his bracket; he not only had that his spaghetti and noodle limbs can little faith in our team, but he had Iowa showcase so much talent. State winning the entire thing. On behalf of your editors, we hope you Jimmy, what were you thinking? enjoy this first-ever Tourney/ Hey, it wasn’t a crazy thought because Championship edition, especially be- Syracuse made the Final Four as a 10 cause The Has Binn was created after the seed. It’s March Madness after all, so anything could happen. However in retrospect, I regret not Sincerely, Yena & Jammies THE HAS BINN EST. 1989 TOURNAMENT EDITION 2016 April 4th, 2016 and I vowed that I would one day go to a men’s game. How- When I first came to Villanova ever, I’m generally a shy and and joined the band, I didn’t nervous person so I didn’t realize how important basket- want to go to a men’s game as ball was to the organization someone who didn’t have as and the university. Sure, I much passion or understand- knew that the basketball team ing of the rules for it as all of here was pretty good, but not the upperclassmen. I just being very into basketball in couldn’t rationalize register- general, I didn’t know much ing and taking a spot from about it. So when I saw how someone who might want to much the band revolved go more than me. Besides, I around getting into games, my was always too busy, right? perspective started to shift. Well, the season was slipping Attendance points were treat- away faster and faster and my ed as precious gems, the gate chances to see a game were list into men’s games was a becoming slimmer. So, I final- position most band members ly registered for my first men’s coveted, and pleas for extra basketball game and made it tickets into men’s games were onto the gate list. As it turned listed on Facebook immedi- out- it was senior night! The ately following lottery results last game I could see at home! and gate list postings. When I And oh my goodness it was went to my first basketball at one of the most exciting Villanova, a women’s game, I events I had gone to at Villa- got a glimpse of the band’s nova so far. Seeing the seniors love and excitement for the on the men’s team- their joy sport. The cheering as the and excitement- made me in- band welcomed our lineup stantly fall in love with the and the booing as the oppos- team. Watching them play to- ing team was introduced, the gether and seeing their raw cheers and chants, the reading talent and general good atti- of Dr. Seuss during opposing tude made me realize that free throws and the anxious basketball was actually pretty sparkle fingers during home freaking amazing. And, lucky By Taylor “Baby Historian” free throws – all of it made me! Not only did I get to see Heuremann the game come alive for me. I the basketball, cheerleading, understood the excitement and dance seniors be honored, and the passion for the sport, but the very seniors in the and I began to understand band that I had grown to love why everyone admired these and appreciate. After that athletes so much. I enjoyed night, I was definitely more myself at that women’s game, invested in basketball. THE HAS BINN EST. 1989 TOURNAMENT EDITION 2016 So, as Big East and NCAA tournaments time than that before, but I didn’t know if rolled around, I found myself checking they could keep their cool and get that last scores and watching more online streams of shot they needed to win with such high the games. When Villanova beat Oklahoma stakes and nervous energy surrounding in the Final Four by such an immense mar- them. So those last four seconds I held my gin, I was buzzing with excitement for the breath with everyone around me in the pavil- championship game. I proudly donned my ion. We watched as the ball was dribbled pep jersey and went with a group of friends down the court at a sprint. We bit our lips as and bandmates into the pavilion two hours the ball was passed to Jenkins. Silent, we before tipoff. As we watched the game, my watched him set up for the shot so far away emotions were roiling. I was excited and from the basket. How was he going to make a screaming with every point the boys earned, three point shot? He didn’t have time to go in excitedly throwing my hands up with every - this was his only chance. With less than a shot and rejoicing with every time Villanova second on the clock he let the ball fly… beau- regained possession. However, moods shift- tifully. Still silent, thousands of arms were ed a lot in the pavilion that night, as the thrown into the air to see that ball into the game was uncomfortably close all through basket. The boys couldn’t see us, but we the first half. By the end of the first half, wanted them to feel our belief in them. Hun- when Villanova was five points behind if I dreds of voices whispered prayers around recall correctly, the pavilion was much quiet- me. “Please, God…” And almost as if the uni- er. I, along with most others in attendance, verse itself intended it, the ball slipped into was nervous, sad, and worried. I didn’t know the net like an Olympic diver slips underwa- how the game was going to turn out. It felt ter- beautifully, gracefully, effortlessly, and like the boys weren’t going to be able to get HOLY FUCK THAT MEANS WE WON! In- their momentum and the championship stantly the pavilion was wild and I was would slip from their grasp. The nervous en- screaming and jumping for joy. I grabbed my ergy in the pavilion was rising, and my heart roommate and best friend next to me in a was racing. With every point UNC won I hug and started sobbing. I couldn’t believe it. found it harder to breathe. I cheered my I couldn’t stand it. All that stress, all that heart out with every point that Villanova nervous energy, it poured out of my eyes in gained, and as the boys picked up their tem- the form of pure, concentrated, relieved tears po I was feeling better about the night. I felt of victory. As thousands of overjoyed fans like we were starting to have a real chance. ran out of the pavilion, I continued to sob on But then, the most dreadful thing imaginable the bleachers, shaking with joy and relief. As happened. Villanova lost their lead in the last I cried and hugged those around me, I finally few seconds of the game. The score was tied! understood what it meant to be a Villanova Unbelievable! I had little faith that the boys Wildcat in love with basketball. It meant be- could win in overtime, and I didn’t know ing part of a vibrant and joyous community how to feel. I was unravelling. I couldn’t with a spirit and drive to succeed that could stand the thought that we had made it so far never die. That night I knew I was exactly only to lose by such a close margin. There where I needed to be, and that basketball is were only 4.7 seconds left in the game. I actually fucking amazing. knew that the boys had scored points in less THE HAS BINN EST. 1989 TOURNAMENT EDITION 2016 Mark “”Where’s my presidential notebook?” Bowers It started in New York. The band once But that didn’t stop us. We came back in. This didn’t stop us from having a again pulled up to the doors of the to New York a week later, stronger good time, though, as we toured the Hotel Pennsylvania for its annual stay and hungrier than ever. We knew Louisville Slugger factory, with each at the hallowed inn. The Wildcats there was more, and we knew we member receiving a free bat.