Paschall’s reward for transfer realized
Eric Paschall couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason he left Fordham for Villanova following his freshman year. The smile on his face told the story anyway.
He put up big numbers at The Bronx school, voted the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, though he won just 10 games that season, which ended with the dismissal of coach Tom Pecora. His numbers in his first season at Villanova paled in comparison, but the Dobbs Ferry native couldn’t care.
Paschall got to cut down a few strands of the net Saturday night after the top-seeded Wildcats manhandled No. 6 Creighton, 74-60, to win their second Big East Tournament title in three years at the sold-out Garden. Paschall grabbed 5 rebounds and scored 2 points in 28 minutes against the Bluejays.
“Losing’s not fun, that’s what my father told me since I was growing up,” the sculpted 6-foot-7 forward said. “I’d rather win and not get numbers, than be on a [bad] team getting numbers.”
He spent last year remaking his body, changing his diet and altering his game — lowing his body fat to 6 percent. Before, it was “very high,” he said with a smile. It wasn’t easy, unable to play in games for the first time in his basketball career. He would exchange text messages with his parents daily.
“It was rough,” he said. “It was worth it. I love this team, and it’s a great experience here.”
Paschall had a strong season for Villanova, averaging 7.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and shooting 50 percent from the field as a valuable reserve. He played some center when Darryl Reynolds missed five games with a rib injury, and he was an integral role in the Wildcats conference tournament title.
Paschall helped limit Seton Hall All-Big East first team selection Angel Delgado to just eight points and eight rebounds, and it was Paschall defending Delgado on his miss at the buzzer in the two-point semifinal victory.
“I’m starting to like playing defense a lot more,” he said. He couldn’t stop smiling in the victorious locker room. He experienced the national championship last year, but only as a practice player. This time, he was on the court contributing to a championship.
“This program is such a great program, with a winning culture,” he said. “It’s a basketball school. That’s what really made me go to Villanova.”
Soon, maybe even next year, Villanova will need more from Paschall. His role will expand. He will likely start, and become one of coach Jay Wright’s linchpins. His versatile skill-set will be accentuated further.
“That year at Fordham was valuable. He got to be a go-to guy, and right away had a lot of pressure on his shoulders,” coach Jay Wright said. “This is kind of easy on him. Everything’s not on his shoulders.
“It’s going to be, though.”