Aug. 25, 2007

By Mike Sheridan

Villanova Media Relations

Less than four months into his tenure as Villanova's head men's basketball coach, Jay Wright walked on to the court at Jake Nevin Field House. It was August of 2001 and around him stood a group of returning players who were, for all practical purposes, strangers to him and most of his staff.

For the next ten days, Wright and the Wildcats got to know one another. They worked out together, absorbed the principals that Wright's staff values most, and then embarked on an 11-day sojourn to Italy, where they would take three of five games.

"That first trip was perfectly timed," recalls Wright. "We had watched some film of the guys who were here but there are limits to what that can teach you. Having those ten extra days in August to practice and get familiar with them was invaluable. It gave us a head start on the season we would not have otherwise had."

A Villanova team with modest aspirations went on to win 19 games in 2001-02 and likely came within a dramatic Ben Gordon 3-point goal in the BIG EAST Tournament of earning an NCAA Tournament berth. The `Cats eventually advanced to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament and clearly established a tone for the Wright era.

For those who were a part of it, the trip to Italy is a happy memory.

Wright believes the second foreign trip of his tenure, slated to take place in Ottawa, Canada over Labor Day weekend, can be just as productive.

"For us, this is the same trip," he says. "The timing is perfect. We are a very young team and this allows us to get the freshmen involved right away. It will also allow us to evaluate some of our young guys who haven't had the chance to play as much early in their careers.

"We basically have what are, in our minds, three starters back - Dante Cunningham, Shane Clark and Scottie Reynolds. But we have a number of sophomores and juniors we haven't seen a lot of in games - Antonio Pena, Andrew Ott, Casiem Drummond, Frank Tchuisi, Dwayne Anderson. We want to use this as an evaluation period, almost like a pro football team does in training camp. With four games in three days, everyone is going to have a chance to show something."

The Wildcats began practicing on Aug. 22 with double sessions daily. Villanova's freshmen did not participate as the NCAA stipulates that incoming first year players cannot take part in team drills until the official start of the fall semester. That comes on Monday, Aug. 27.

"It's actually worked out well," says Wright. "What we have done over the first four days of practice is put in everything we want to do in Canada. We have been able to get a lot done because the returning players have been through a year with us and have a feel for what we are trying to accomplish.

"When we bring the freshmen in this week, we will review everything we have done and really start working with them and giving them an introduction to what we want to do."

The freshmen - Corey Fisher, Malcolm Grant and Corey Stokes - have been preoccupied with campus orientation activities in the days leading up to the start of classes.

"Villanova has one of the most intensive and successful orientation programs in the country," notes Wright. "It lasts four days and takes up the full day into the evening. Sometimes you can detect a little sensory overload in the young guys but it really helps them appreciate that they are a part of a great campus community here."

One of the questions surrounding the 2007-08 squad centers upon its leaders. There are no seniors on the roster. And the core group that sparked Villanova to appearances in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and 2006, has moved on.

"I have been very impressed with how our four juniors, Dante, Shane, Dwayne and Frank, have stepped into those roles," says Wright. "Along with Scottie, they are taking responsibility for this team and helping our young guys along.

"We really are entering a new era. Last year, Curtis (Sumpter), Mike (Nardi) and Bump (Sheridan) were linked to that other group. I think our juniors are enjoying the opportunity to lead and begin putting their own stamp on Villanova Basketball."

There have been other good signs. Sophomore Reggie Redding has enhanced his game after becoming a key part of the rotation in the second half of 2006-07. Clark appears healthier than he did at any point last season after April arthroscopic knee surgery. Cunningham looks the part of a confident interior player and it's evident that Drummond has made progress with his conditioning and overall game.

"This is a very close group of guys and one that is open to learning," Wright states. "It's a very easy group to coach."

Among those stopping by to observe practice this week were former `Cat standouts Doug West and Kyle Lowry.

"It's always great to have our former players at practice," Wright says. "These are people our young guys respect and they have really taken an interest in our team. I know Kyle is a big Casiem Drummond fan - he really likes his game. Those two have developed a nice relationship and Kyle takes time to encourage Cas. It's the kind of thing that makes Villanova special."

Following one morning practice this week, Wright and a small group of visitors, including ESPN studio analyst and former VU assistant coach Tom Brennan, toured the burgeoning Intercollegiate Athletic Recreation Facility. Most of the interior layout, including the men's and women's practice courts, is now in place. Villanova assistant athletics director for facilities and operations, Mick Keelan, has been the point person on the Villanova end.

"Having a guy like Mick involved in this has really been beneficial," notes Wright. "He is a former basketball coach and has a great feel for the kind of things that would benefit not only our staff but the women's basketball staff. He's found ways to incorporate a lot of features that someone who hadn't been on the coaching end of it might not appreciate.

"It's a very, very impressive building. And the most impressive part is the Student Fitness Center on the third floor. It has a gorgeous view of the campus and is very bright and open. I think it will be valuable to all sports here at Villanova, as well as the students themselves."

The IARC is expected to open in November. Before the `Cats can think about move in dates, though, there is the business of those four games in Ottawa, beginning Sept. 1 against Carleton at 7:00 p.m.

"This will give us a chance to evaluate how our team fits together," says Wright. "Our entire staff is really eager to see how it plays out."