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Villanova Head Coach Jay Wright

Opening Statement: Good win against a good team. We couldn't put them (Providence) away. They've got some shooters. We've got to get a consistency defensively. We had some times in the game where we were really good defensively, and we had times where we broke down. We're still a work-in-progress defensively.

On the difference Kris Jenkins and Josh Hart make on the floor: Both of them are two of the best players in college basketball. We're lucky to have them on our team, very lucky. They defend, they rebound and they're leaders. They score, they pass, and they're just complete players. We're very fortunate to have them.

On the team's start in the second half: Great start. The seniors came out and took control. That's what we have. We're very fortunate. They've been in a lot of games like this. Defensively, we broke down a little bit at the end of the first half. They came out in the second half with big stops, turnovers. Then we got out, Kris got it going a little bit. That's what you're talking about having two seniors like this.

On getting the ball inside against Providence during the game: They do a great job of taking away threes. They really extend their zone. They're playing zone, but they're way out and extended. I thought our guys did a really good job of reading their extended defense and not taking contested threes and getting in the lane. I thought Kris was awesome at that, especially that run in the first half where he was getting in the middle of their zone. That was important for us against that zone.

Senior Josh Hart

On what he is thinking when he gets into the lane offensively: Just be aggressive. That's something that coach always preaches to everybody, just be aggressive and go from there. If they step up, make the right pass. If they don't, go score.

On playing with Kris Jenkins: He's a gifted scorer, and a gifted basketball player. He gets more excited at other people's success than himself. To have a senior more excited about someone else scoring and making a huge play rather than himself, it shows a lot about his character and that's someone you strive to be like.

On Providence keeping it close throughout the game: It's tough. We've got to use our experience to not let up. When we have the lead, we just have to keep going. They're a talented team, very well-coached. They never go away. That's something that we know and have
experienced a lot.

Senior Kris Jenkins

On playing with Josh Hart: He's a great player. When he's competing and you see him playing hard - especially defensively - it wears off on you and makes you play just as hard. He elevates everybody out there.

On if there has been a hangover from last season: We've just got to lean on coach's experience and continue to get better. I believe every guy in our locker room wants to continue to grow and get better. We're not just satisfied with something that we did last year, because this is a brand new year.

Providence Head Coach Ed Cooley

On the offensive play of Villanova: They have two game changers in Jenkins and Hart. When you've got two of the better players on the floor, every game you're going to have a chance to win. Those two guys played great today.