The ’Nova Knicks mock rival St. Joseph’s in social media video: ‘You helped me win every game’
Former Wildcats Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges have very few nice things to say about their rivals from Hawk Hill.
St. Joseph’s and Villanova did not meet this season, but it’s safe to say the Holy War rivalry is still alive — just ask the ’Nova Knicks.
Last week, before the start of the NCAA Tournament, the Knicks challenged some of their players to compliment their college rivals in a video for social media. For the three Villanova graduates, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges, this was no easy feat.
Brunson, the three-time NBA All-Star, could not muster a compliment for St. Joe’s, opting to poke fun at his crosstown rival instead.
“The Hawk is dead,” Brunson said, taking a shot at St. Joe’s mantra “The Hawk Will Never Die.”
“Thanks for Billy Lange,” Hart said, smiling. Lange left St. Joe’s for a front office job with the Knicks before this season.
Last up in the Knicks’ video was Bridges, a Philadelphia native.
“Honestly, you helped me win every game I played against you guys,” Bridges said. “So I actually have nothing wrong to say about you guys. I really do appreciate it. I love the Hawk — great animal. Great bird. Great mascot — great guy, or if there’s a lady in the suit, I don’t know — great lady, too.”
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Bridges did go 3-0 against St. Joe’s during his collegiate career, averaging 12.3 points in the Holy War games. With the Wildcats beating St. Joe’s by an average margin of 28.7 points in those three matchups, Bridges may gotten some time to watch and admire the Hawks’ mascot, who is not allowed to stop flapping its wings during games.
Unlike Villanova, which saw its men’s and women’s teams fall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, St. Joe’s fans do have more basketball to watch.
The Hawks face New Mexico in the NIT quarterfinals tonight at 9 (ESPN2).