Long Shots: Jay Wright, Villanova, and College Basketball’s Most Unlikely Champion

by Dana O'Neil, Jay Bilas (Foreword)

31 years after the Perfect Game – Villanova’s shocking national championship upset over Georgetown – Nova struck again with the Perfect Shot, taking down North Carolina in one of the most thrilling finishes in sports history. The shot and second national title in school history were the culmination of 15 years of Coach Jay Wright painstakingly building the unheralded program, through ups and downs, heartbreak and triumph. In Long Shots: Jay Wright, Villanova, and College Basketball’s Most Unlikely Champion, ESPN senior writer Dana O’Neil uses exclusive access to Coach Wright and Nova basketball to delve into the inner-workings of a championship program. In the spirit of A Season on the Brink, O’Neil not only explores behind-the-scenes of the historic 2015-2016 NCAA championship season but also the improbable path that the Nova program took to college basketball immortality. In overcoming a disappointing NCAA Tournament track record, the breakup of the Big East conference as we knew it, and Nova’s underdog status among traditional college hoops powerhouses, Jay Wright and his team provided the blueprint for how a “have-not” can prevail over the blue bloods the right way – the Villanova Basketball Way.

Genres: Basketball, Sports, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2017

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOVA

Delightful recap of an amazing season. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Congrats to Dana O'Neil for laying out the story in such a unique way.

[Daniel Cluskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book ever since two in the morning after the championship game when I read Dana O'Neil's recount of the game. It was a stunning article and the book did not disappoint. At times it was a little over the top with the sentimentality and pandering to Villanova fans, but as a Villanova fan I have no problems with that. Now it is my solemn duty to pass this book along to other members of the Nova Nation so they can enjoy it too.

[Nikki Ebner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t even open the book before I started crying. To have a book reach into your brain and pull out memories (very very happy memories) is beautiful. I remember this whole thing going down- mind you I had my money on UNC because I’m a moron. I seriously think I cried at ever chapter. I’m a sucker for sports stories. I love an underdog and gosh darn Jay Wright is just so easy to love. The entire team is. It was super fun learning more about the individuals and what pushed them into the championship. It was even better to relive such an exciting moment in Philly sports history. 14/10 god dang I love Philly

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific for both the behind the scenes from the game as well as the backstories of those who participated in one of the best championship games ever played (ranking right up there with NCState vs PhiSlammaJamma)

I picked this up for $2.99 on Kindle, nearly five years after the championship game was played. Although I knew most of game trivia e.g. why Daniel Ochefu mopped the floor before the final play, I enjoyed reading how the team came to be. It is a reminder how small things can lead to great accomplishments

[Sean Carrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great season culminating in another unlikely Cats championship.
Very good team who came together to define Villanova basketball.
Good account of the back stories of a handful of players.

When Nova won again two years later, the premise of this being a ‘long shot’ rather than the culmination of years of culture building seems to be something of a stretch. Regardless, Dana shares a story that any college basketball fan (other than Tar Heels) will certainly enjoy.

[Joey McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well done. Surprisingly emotional and entertaining, even for someone that didnt follow them all year. Only issue was the chapter about the Big East realignment, etc felt out of place towards the end. Still, highly enjoyable for a 250 page read that culminates in a 4.7 second play. Read it, and I dare you to watch the play again without getting goosebumps!

[Jim Blessing · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although I am a Butler basketball season ticketholder, I have always admired Villanova and Jay Wright. However, after reading this book, I've had a change in heart, I neither like Wright or this book.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Dana O'NEIL.....BANG!

Great book on a team, a coach, players, and others. Tremendous insight and a great way to tell a story where the world already knows the outcome. Thanks for following the advice to write the book. Go Nova!

[Melanie Hummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Cal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildcats for life

[ChrisAntko92 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard for me to not love a book about Villanova basketball and I enjoyed this one. I've read plenty of Dana's articles over the years. I enjoy her writing style and her ability to tell a story. Her book was no different but having been a fan for most of the time she chronicles, I feel she over hyped the lows and made the highs seem like too much of a "long shot" to get her point across. There were some parts of the timeline she seemed to miss and a few inaccuracies I caught - "shoot 'me up, or SLEEP in the streets", Barkley does have an affiliation with Nova, his daughter is a grad and even wrote the forward for Jay's book. Still I enjoyed revisiting stories I'd heard before and learning new ones. I do wish this was edited more closely since I caught spelling errors, especially ones with players' names. If you are a 'nova die hard or even new fan I think you will appreciate this book.

[Sean Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Loved it.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story about the Cats and their success over the last few years. Lots of history about the team, the members of the team, Jay and their success. Fun read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing. \V/

[Melissa Gerding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give it 4.7 stars. :)