Oct. 31, 2003
Each Friday during the school year, Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan takes you behind the scenes of the men's basketball program.
There are several annual events that signal the dawn of a new hoops season at Villanova. Three of those - Hoops Mania, the Blue/White scrimmage, and the Big East's annual media day - took place within the last week.
Many Wildcat fans witnessed or are aware of the of some of the headline moments from those events. There was the Mike Nardi lob to Marcus Austin for a slam on the opening play of the 8-minute scrimmage at Hoops Mania on Oct. 24. Fans witnessed the sharp shooting of sophomore Allan Ray in the Blue/White scrimmage the following morning. Others read that the Big East coaches tabbed Connecticut and Syracuse as overwhelming favorites to capture the conference crown at media day on Oct. 29.
Yet there were other small moments worth noting as well.
* * * *
On a Friday evening the Jake Nevin Field House is nearly dark as music blares. The stands include an audience populated largely by students for the annual Hoops Mania kickoff.
"We appreciate how important the Villanova students are to this program," says assistant coach Brett Gunning. "So we try to do our best to throw a party to show that appreciation for them at Hoops Mania."
The featured guests include ESPN analyst and former UCLA coach Steve Lavin; Doug West; and Dei Lynam of Comcast SportsNet.
Approximately halfway through the 75-minute program, many of the Wildcats are congregated in a corner, waiting for their introduction to the audience. Each is wearing his uniform. On the floor the dance team and cheerleaders are stirring the crowd.
One Wildcat seems especially eager.
Nardi, the freshman from Linden, N.J., is dribbling a basketball in this crowded little area.
When the lights come up, the 'Cats take the floor for a brief display for the students. Though, these exercises tend to be light exhibitions dominated by dunks, one member of the Villanova staff sees in Nardi on this evening a trait that bodes well for his future.
"Look at him," says associate head coach Fred Hill, "Nardi really wants to win."
Indeed, a game that was supposed to be only about entertainment becomes a bit more. It is obvious that no on the court is crazy about the notion of a loss even at this little party.
Let the record show that the White team - including Nardi - did down the Blue team on this night.
* * * *
The friendly competition is not the exclusive domain of the athletes.
Indeed, one of the more lively points of discussion for members of the coaching staff concerns the outcome of the Blue/White game.
This year, Hill is in charge of the Blue team while Gunning takes charge of the White team. (Head coach Jay Wright plays the role of observer, watching from the end of one bench).
The White team jumps out to a 24-15 advantage at halftime.
As the start of the second half nears, the scorer's table mistakenly awards possession to the Blue team. Gunning quickly points out the error but receives little sympathy from a table that includes, among others, Wildcat director of the Block V Club and radio analyst Whitey Rigsby.
"The great ones overcome adversity coach," Rigsby tells Gunning.
The Blue team, led by sophomores Randy Foye, Jason Fraser and Curtis Sumpter, uses an 11-0 run to take a 26-24 lead. Yet the White team regroups after a timeout and uses an 11-0 run of its own to regain control of a contest it ultimately wins.
"I guess we overcame adversity, huh Whitey?" Gunning says with a laugh as the horn sounds. The spoils this year go to Gunning and Billy Lange.
It's a victory that won't be soon forgotten inside the Pavilion basketball office.
* * * *
As the rain pours down in buckets in midtown Manhattan, Wildcat sophomore guards Ray and Foye along with Wright step from a car on to Seventh Avenue, directly in front of Madison Square Garden. The Garden is home to the Big East media day, an annual session that brings coaches and several top players from each team to Manhattan to meet with the media.
As the group walks in the main Garden entrance, with luggage in tow - these folks will return to Philadelphia on a train from Penn Station following the session - Wright is pointing things out to his young guards. Both listen as Wright gives them a bit of the flavor for the building's history.
Once inside, the group rides up the escalator to the theater area on the second level. When they reach the coat check area, Foye is very careful about a baseball cap he wore to help keep the rain off. It is a point not lost on his head coach.
"We need him to take care of the basketball the way he takes care of that cap," quips Wright.
Foye chuckles.
Point taken.
Once inside, the Villanova representatives find the usual swirl of activity. Tables are set up for each of the 14 schools in the main portion of the room and that is where the print and broadcast media gather. Another set of rooms accommodates the representatives from television. While the coaches of each institution meets with one segment, the athletes meet with the other. After an hour, the two groups switch places.
The event begins with an address from Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese. Tranghese acknowledges the interest in the events of the past six months regarding membership and the plans for the future. However, Tranghese emphasizes that this day is about the 2003-04 basketball season and the other matter will be addressed in a news conference in Manhattan on Nov. 4.
The hot topic of conversation at the Villanova table revolves around the early schedule, specifically the five games in six days that will kick off the regular season. Those five games will be spread from Philadelphia to Maui.
"I'm looking forward to it," says Ray. "I'm excited to get the season started. The travel part makes it challenging but I'm sure we'll get a chance to get our rest."
The two hours move rapidly. In fact, there is even enough idle time for conversation to turn to the events of the 2003 World Series. Both Ray and Foye are ardent Yankees fans and were still coming to grips with the loss in six games to Florida.
"I don't know what happened," Ray says, shaking his head. "The only thing I do know is that I'm getting to bed a lot earlier now that the Series has ended."
Following a quick lunch, the group heads downstairs to catch a train. The car the group enters has only a few scattered seats available so coach and players take seats alongside other passengers. One lady strikes up a conversation with Ray. As the train pulls into the 30th Street station she wishes Ray luck and makes an inquiry.
"What number do you wear?" she asks.
When told it is No. 14, she smiles.
"I'll watch for you on TV," she says. "When is your first game?"
Nov. 21 comes the reply, at 12:01 a.m.
The smile suddenly vanishes.
"You're going to have to go without me on that one."
Ray chuckles, says goodbye and heads for the platform
The season, it would seem, is now underway.
