Villanova 2015-16 Media Day Quotes

Head Coach Jay Wright

On the preseason expectations and ranking:

"It's definitely a challenge to hear everybody talk about how far you're going to get in the tournament when you know from experience that you have so much work to do to get there. But it's a good challenge to have. I'd much rather have people saying they're going to get to the tournament. It creates some excitement around the program but it's a challenge.

"I'm glad we are where we are but it is a definite challenge. There are a lot of pitfalls. We lost arguably our three best defensive players. We scored a lot of points last year, just like most teams, but our defense was pretty good because of the three guys we lost. That's really how we're looking at it. We've got to replace three great defensive players. We've got a lot of work to do. So on a day like this when people ask them what they're going to do in the tournament and their thoughts get away from how much better we have to get defensively, that's when the coaches have to go to work."

On the NCAA Tournament defeat to N.C. State to end 2014-15:

"That game and the season, we look at as two distinctly different things but we are very clear about the fact that no one else looks at it that way. We don't expect anyone else to look at it that way. We get judged on losing in the second round of the tournament. We know that but everything we talk about is what we did consistently over the year and what we have to do this year to be that good of a team again.

"I've said this all along. On the other side of it, the year we went to the Sweet 16 and lost to Kansas, we kind of got lucky against Clemson then Siena upset Vanderbilt, I didn't sit here and say 'No we aren't a Sweet 16 team. We don't deserve it. We got lucky.' I didn't say that. I said 'Yea, we went to the Sweet 16.' So you take the credit when you get a break or two so you have to take the hit when you don't do it."

On 2015-16:

"We could be a really good team. It's not just replacing the three great players we lost but it's the younger guys stepping up. If Josh Hart steps up, Kris Jenkins steps up, Darryl Reynolds steps up, even Daniel and Arch. I think Daniel can go to another level. Arch is kind of the guy that's been a rock through his career. It's not just Jalen and the freshmen. We've got some underclassmen that can step up this year and help us."

On the prospect of using 6-8 junior Darryl Reynolds alongside 6-10 Daniel Ochefu:

"Darryl playing with Daniel will be more based on our opponents. Last year I think JayVaughn was just more effective as an upperclassman than Darryl was , even though Darryl's position would have been a better fit. Now if Darryl can use his experience, with his size and athleticism, he can help us playing with Daniel."

On freshman guard Jalen Brunson:

"He's really unusual, but what's crazy is, he reminds me of Arch. He's like a left-handed Arch. He's just like him. He comes in, knows Villanova basketball. He's followed it. He came in doing the things we do already, just like Arch did. That's rare but we've been lucky to have two of them."

On the mindset coming into this season:

"We just want to make sure we're all on the same page. We're all thinking the same way. The big challenge after that (N.C. State) game as a staff was to make them understand we're all hurting, and we're going to hurt, it's not going to go away for a while but for 36 games we brought it every night, except maybe that game at Georgetown, at the level we should have. That's the only thing we really can ask for. 35 out of 36 nights, that's a hell of a year. Even though we lost a couple of those game, we never gave up in that NC State game. We talked to them about that. In terms of effort that was impressive to us. I think they believe that they had a great year and did some great things last year."

Ryan Arcidiacono, Senior Guard:

. Q: How has it been going thus far in the preseason with you guys getting the defense together?

A: "It's going well. Anytime you have a team like ours with a couple of younger guys we have to set the tone of the defensive end. We have definitely been stressing that in practice."

Q: Coach said it's a long process. [In reference to getting the defense ready]. How do you get ready for the season coming up?

A: "It's been a long process, and it will be a long process throughout the season. We're not going to be perfect defensively in the first game. Hopefully, by the last game of the year we will be better. We know it's going to be a process."

Q: How has Jalen [Brunson] handling everything that has been thrown at him?

A: "He's been great. Jalen has been awesome. He's handled everything. Every single time he comes into practice he's always learning from myself or other teammates and coaches. He's been coming in with open eyes and ears. He doesn't think about the hype or doesn't let it get to his head."

Q: What have you been doing offensively?

A: "We've been spreading the ball a lot. We have a ton of shooters and with Daniel [Ochefu] and Darryl [Reynolds] on the inside, I think we will be tough to guard. Coach always emphasizes the defensive end. That's what we need to focus on in the preseason."

Daniel Ochefu, Senior Forward:

Q: In your mind, what is differently defensively this year?

A: "Mentality wise it hasn't changed. Last year we had three great defenders in Darrun, Dylan, and JayVaughn. I have confidence in the guys we have this year to step up. I practice against them every day. The guards go against myself and Darryl [Reynolds]."

Q: Do you take pride on being the shot blocker on the team?

A: "Definitely. I just make sure my guys know they can be very aggressive on the ball. If they get by burned by I'm always there to help."

Q: Can you describe what it's been like playing with Arcidiacono these last three year's heading into your senior years?

A: "It's been great. Arch has been a warrior since he was born. You can tell that by the way he plays. It's been a great journey over the years with me and him. Our friendship has definitely grown a lot over the years. I'm just really excited for this year."

Q: Do you feel as if you're one the leaders now?

A: "Definitely. In practice I'm setting the example, and showing true commitment to defending and rebounding. When Coach expects it from me, he expects it from everyone."

Josh Hart, Junior Guard.

Q: How do you approach the upcoming season given the expectations and how people are looking at the team from afar?

A: "We just take it one day at a time. We know the expectations other people have for us. It's a good thing, but the only thing that matters is our expectations for us. We want to get better every day. We are not going to listen to all the outside chatter. The only thing that really matters at the end of the day is our expectations and how we measure up to them."

Q: How do you think you yourself have improved defensively?

A: "I would say laterally I have. There were times I wasn't able to get down on smaller guards or point guards. I think my lateral quickness has gotten better. It still needs to get better, but it's something I have been working on."

Q: Josh, people can give you more attention now. Not that you got people by surprise last year but you were maybe the third option and now you're not anymore. You're one of the guys.

A: "It was easier when you had guys like JayVaughn Pinkston, Darrun Hilliard, Dylan Ennis, and Ryan Arcidiacono in front of you. You're just coming in. The scouting report on you may not be as much. Now, being one of the top scorers on the scouting report it's a whole different mindset. You can just come in and play. You need to read the defenses to see how they're playing. You need to get other people involved. That's going to be a little bit of a challenge from last year."

Q: Is there a different mindset from coming off the bench to starting?

A: "It is a little bit. Being a sixth man you see everything going on three or four minutes into the game. You see how the defense plays. You see what they're doing offensively. Now, as a starter you're in charge of starting the team off playing hard defense from the get-go. It's something that will be a little bit different. It's something I have done before."

A: "Definitely. In practice I'm setting the example, and showing true commitment to defending and rebounding. When Coach expects it from me, he expects it from everyone."