Villanova Not Taking First Round Opponent Lafayette Lightly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Villanova is expected to have an easy time on Thursday against Lafayette. The Wildcats believe otherwise.
Villanova will play Lafayette in their first game of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are 32-2, while the Leopards are 20-12 and won the Patriot League title despite being a four seed in the conference tourney. However, Wildcats Coach Jay Wright doesn't expect this game to be a typical blowout of a 16 seed.
"They're a tough team," said Wright. "They're really explosive offensively. They're one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country, and we're going to have to chase them around the perimeter because they really shoot threes."
It is easy to understand why the Wildcats are preparing for a tough contest on Thursday. Lafayette plays in the Patriot League, where two teams (Bucknell and Lehigh) gave Villanova close contests early in the season. Villanova also played Lafayette last season, and the Leopards hung tough before the Wildcats came away with the victory.
"They played here last year," Wright said. "They had the lead early in the second half, but we were able to pull away at home. I'm sure they'll be confident, and our guys have great respect for them because they remember that game."
The players have echoed the same message as their coach. None of the Wildcats seem overconfident as they head into their matchup with Lafayette, and Guard Darrun Hilliard knows the Leopards have plenty of talent.
"They've got a great point guard surrounded by a lot of great shooters," said Hilliard. "They have a strong inside presence. They're a great team and they're here for a reason. It's going to be a tough matchup."
Villanova will look to avoid history on Thursday. A 16 seed has never beaten a one seed in NCAA Tournament play. The Wildcats aren't talking about the possibility of losing, but players such as Sophomore Guard Josh Hart know they will have to play at a high level to avoid an upset.
"They went to the last two NCAA Tournaments," Hart said. "We all experienced the Connecticut loss last year. We know we have to keep getting better. We know we can't go in being complacent."
The Wildcats are hoping Thursday's game will be the first step towards their first trip to the Final Four since 2009. It has already been a spectacular season for the Wildcats, who are champions of the Big East. However, Wright understands what will be at stake when the NCAA Tournament gets underway.
"I think we all knew you get judged a great deal by what you do in the NCAA Tournament," Wright said. "I don't think it's necessarily how far you go, but how you compete. There were other years where we got knocked out early and you feel you didn't reach your potential."
