Jay Wright: 'It Gets To Be More Of Challenge Every Day'
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Winning on the road in the Big East isn't easy. Villanova knows first hand.
Despite a 26-2 overall record, the Wildcats have faced several tough tests against their conference rivals on the road this winter. Villanova is 7-2 on the road, and faces another difficult contest on Saturday at Xavier. Players such as Daniel Ochefu have thrived in hostile environments throughout the season, and the forward says they'll be ready to face the crowd and the Musketeers on Saturday.
"It's great to go to tough arenas and play," said Ochefu. "At the end of the day, it's just the next game for us. It's Xavier versus Villanova. We could be playing at the Palestra, the Pavilion, or at Xavier. It doesn't matter to us."
The Wildcats are 26-2, and can clinch the regular season Big East title outright with a victory. Villanova won the previous meeting this season by 13 on its home floor. Coach Jay Wright expects a more difficult game on Saturday.
"We played there last year and the place was sold out," Wright said. "They have a great, passionate fan base. They play extremely well at home. Their offensive numbers at home are significantly better than they are on the road."
There is a secret to Villanova's success on the road. The Wildcats have a unique method of preparation for road games in practice, and Guard Ryan Arcidiacono says the players are better prepared for the crowds and the calls in visiting venues.
"We're always practicing as the road team," said Arcidiacono. "Just having the refs in practice make calls against us and just trying to stay composed. It all starts with practice. We always try to make it a tough situation, and that's pretty much helped us out on the road."
After Villanova's game on Saturday, the calendar will turn to March on Sunday. It is a time when the NCAA hype begins to get into high gear, and Wright understands it is difficult for his players to filter out the NCAA talk as Selection Sunday draws closer. However, Wright believes the Wildcats are handling the hype as well as they can with the possibility of a #1 seed in play.
"It just gets to be more and more of a challenge every day," Wright said. "It's not that they don't hear about it, because they hear about it a lot. We watch TV. We listen to the prognosticators. It just can't affect our preparation or our process."
