PHILADELPHIA – A sense of terrifying disorientationsettled over the Villanova basketball team like a thick, frightening fog after it was traumatically tossed out of the Big East Conference Tournament semifinals by Pittsburgh last week.
For the first time in this fearless, fantastic season, the Wildcats had known the chaotic terror that accompanies vulnerability.
Not only had Villanova been dominated 68-54 by the Panthers, but star guard Allan Ray of The Bronx was on his way to St. Vincent’s Hospital with what initially was described as a serious right-eye injury.
A season of 25 wins and a probable No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament seemed to crumble like a child’s sandcastle.
“[We learned] just how aggressive teams are going to come out and play against us,” Ray said yesterday. “Pitt came out real aggressive and knocked down a lot of shots, and once they got the momentum going it was pretty hard to stop that.”
“We have to come out with more intensity and more aggressiveness, especially on the defensive end, because a lot of teams are going to come out and want to bring it to us,” Ray added. “because we’re a top team in the country and they want to make a name off of us.”
Villanova officially is one of the top four teams in the nation. The Wildcats are the No. 1 seed in the Minneapolis Region and begin play in the NCAA Tournament today against 16th-seeded Monmouth (19-14) in the Wachovia Center, which should be overflowing with ‘Nova fans.
As horrifying as Ray’s injury was to watch, it might prove to be the distraction that saves the Wildcats in this tournament.
Instead of dwelling on how Pittsburgh’s backcourt of Carl Krauser, Ronald Ramon and Levance Fields had stood toe-to-toe with Ray, Randy Foye and Kyle Lowry, and how Pittsburgh’s interior game dominated, the Wildcats had to fret about Ray.
“We were so worried about Allan and getting back to the hotel and making sure that he was OK and then we spoke about it as a team,” guard Mike Nardi said. “I don’t think our confidence went down. I just think that we were kind of down that we didn’t come out to play Villanova basketball for 40 minutes. We’re basketball players, so a loss is going to bring us down a little bit.”
But Ray’s injury – he miraculously turned out to be fine – prevented the Wildcats from getting choked by the fog of doubt. Ray practiced the last three days and will play today against the Northeast Conference champs, which beat Hampton, 71-49, in the play-in game.
“Of all the No. 1 seeds, I think Villanova is the best matchup for us,” Monmouth guard Chris Kenny said. “And that’s even a nightmare because they’re one of the [best] teams in the country, obviously.”
If Villanova can shake off the Pittsburgh loss – the 14-point defeat tied its worst loss of the season – then it can begin its NCAA Tournament run with a sense of second chance. Ray is fine. The Wildcats have had extra days to rest.
As for the Big East debacle, Foye sounded like a Las Vegas pitchman.
“Whatever happened there, stays there,” he said.