Nov. 29, 2002
Each week during the 2002-03 academic year, Villanova director of Media Relations Mike Sheridan takes you behind the scenes with the Villanova Wildcats Men's Basketball Team. This week he is with the Wildcats as they head north to the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.
Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002
Minneapolis, Minn.
3:25 p.m.
With the first leg of its long journey to Anchorage, Alaska complete, Villanova head coach Jay Wright gathers his team and a traveling party of more than 50 people around him.
"We'll meet at 4:30 p.m. near gate F12," says Wright. "So if you want to get something to eat now is a great time."
With that, the Wildcats disperse in the lobby of the Minneapolis International Airport. The main concourse of the airport resembles a wing of the King of Prussia mall. High end shops and trendy boutiques have replaced the tiny hot dog stands of previous decades.
Of course, finding healthy sustenance isn't the easiest task either. Just ask Villanova Assistant to the Athletic Director Steve Pinone. Pinone, who underwent, triple bypass surgery in the spring, recalls his physician's advice.
"I'm guessing the BK broiler isn't heart smart," he quips.
Pinone is on board for this venture as the radio color analyst. He is filling in for Ryan Fannon, who remained in Philadelphia to broadcast Saturday's Division I-AA football playoff game between the Wildcats and Furman. (Whitey Rigsby shifts to play-by-play duties).
"Stevie P," says Wright. "Now part of our radio talent."
When the Wildcats' party reaches the gate area for the connecting flight to Anchorage, they are greeted by a sea of green. The Michigan State Spartans are on the same flight and when the gate agent begins making the boarding call, she underscores the obvious.
"This is a very full flight," she says.
Today's six hour plus flight will be especially tough on the taller Wildcats. The aircraft is a 757 with little leg room, a particularly nettlesome issue for the likes of Ricky Wright, Jason Fraser and Chris Charles. Fraser and Marcus Austin are fortunate enough to be seated in the exit row.
Charles and the rest of his teammates, along with most of the Spartans, are squeezed into aisle seats throughout the coach section.
It's a cozy six hour jaunt that has team members yearning for those charter flights that are the rule for Villanova Basketball (this is the only scheduled commercial flight of the 2002-03 campaign.)
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Anchorage, Alaska
9:30 a.m.
As the Wildcats walk to their bus for a morning practice session at the Sullivan Arena, day light has only begun to peak over the striking mountain range in the distance. At this time of year, there are only about six hours a day of light and plenty of darkness.
Still, no one in the traveling party is grumbling. Yesterday temperatures soared to a record 55 degrees. This morning, telephone calls back to the Main Line brought the news of snow while here we are greeted by mild temperatures in the 40s.
At Sullivan Arena, Jay Wright and the coaching staff put the Wildcats through a brisk workout. One of the more encouraging aspects of it is the presence of senior guard Gary Buchanan. Only 10 days earlier, Buchanan had undergone arthoscopic knee surgery.
"It looks like Gary will be able to play," noted Jay Wright. "It's really remarkable. I don't know what (Dr.) Rob Good and (trainer) Jeff Pierce have done, but they've done a great job. Gary looks ready to go."
Anchorage, Alaska
7:45 p.m.
With a game scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, the Wildcats' traditional turkey feast comes a day early. Villanova has taken over the "Villa Nova" restaurant and the group of more than 75 is treated to a delicious variety of customary fare.
"What," asks assistant coach Fred Hill, "no caribou?"
Alas, there isn't anything quite that exotic on the menu. Instead it's turkey, ham, stuffing and all the trimmings topped off by pumpkin and apple pie.
Since team chaplain Rev. Bernard Lazor, O.S.A., is also back at Villanova due to football commitments, a pinch-hitter delivers grace: Jason Fraser.
Fraser proves a most eloquent spiritual spokesman.
After posing for a team photo in front of the restaurant, the 'Cats are headed back to the hotel for a team meeting and a night's rest before opening the Great Alaska Shootout.
Thursday, Nov. 28
Anchorage, Alaska
5:30 p.m.
The Wildcats are part of the first game of the night's doubleheader. On Wednesday evening, Oklahoma State and the College Charleston advanced to the winner's bracket and the 'Cats hope to do the same on this occasion.
Loyola Marymount proves to be a pesky challenger. Coach Steve Aggers has a young squad dominated by promising newcomers still acclimating themselves to Division I basketball.
LMU spreads the floor and shoots a sizzling 65 percent in the first half. A Ricky Wright putback as the buzzer sounds, allows Villanova to escape to the locker room with a 36-33 advantage.
In the second half, though, Fraser and Ricky Wright assert themselves on the interior. In addition, Villanova clamps down on the Lions at the defensive end and eventually pulls away to an 87-71 triumph.
"Having Gary back was important," said Jay Wright of his senior who scored 13 points in 19 minutes. "His presence really opened things up on the inside for Jay and Ricky."
Fraser notched his second double-double in three collegiate outings with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Ricky Wright added 19 points and eight caroms.
While the players and support staff, return to the hotel, Jay Wright and assistant coaches Brett Gunning and Joe Jones remain at Sullivan Arena. During in-season tournaments, NCAA rules allow coaches to scout opponents live so the 'Cats staff wants to get a good look at the second game featuring No. 9 Michigan State and Montana.
Michigan State prevails, setting up a semifinal matchup for Nov. 29 that will begin at midnight eastern time and be aired on ESPN.
Next week: Part Two of the Alaskan Experience
