PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats conducted an open practice Thursday here at PPG Paints Arena ahead of Friday's first round NCAA Tournament clash with Delaware. Tomorrow's NCAA Tournament clash between the No. 2 seed Wildcats (26-7 overall) and the No. 15 seed Blue Hens (22-12 overall) is set for 2:45 p.m. as the second game of an afternoon session that also features No. 7 seed Ohio State and No. 10 seed Loyola.
 
Friday's game will air on CBS (Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Reggie Miller and Dana Jacobson) and on the Villanova IHeart Radio Network (1480 AM) with Ryan Fannon and Whitey Rigsby courtside.
 
Villanova last visited Pittsburgh in 2018 on its run to the NCAA National championship.
 
Delaware, which defeated UNC Wilmington 59-55 last week to claim the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament crown, has a number of connections to Villanova. Head Coach Martin Ingelsby is the son of Wildcats' backcourt legend Tom Ingelsby. All-CAA forward Dylan Painter, played 24 games for Villanova and earned a 2018 NCAA championship ring before transferring Delaware early in the 2018-19 campaign.
 
"They had some injuries early, including one to Dylan Painter, that hurt them early but gave opportunities to some of the other guys," noted Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "I thought they became more connected to each other. They read each other very well defensively. They understand the personnel they are playing against very well. That takes experience.
 
"They've gotten better as the season has gone along, similar to us. They became much more connected and intelligent defensively."
 
At his NCAA Tournament press conference Thursday afternoon, Wright took note of the connection the Wildcats' program has to its former players, including Tom Ingelsby.
 
"Initially," said Wright, "it was selfish. (Tom) was one of my idols growing up. Growing up in Philly, it was him and Chris Ford in the backcourt and I thought I could be like them. I did not get close by the time I got to college. But I really did think I could play like those guys.
 
"From my time as an assistant at Villanova, I really appreciated how close all the former players were. When we came back as head coach, I kind of felt that responsibility that we've got to keep this together. It's probably our greatest strength. The benefit to the current players is to see that they're part of something bigger than themselves."
 
The Wildcats last faced the Blue Hens in December 2019. Villanova outlasted Delaware 78-70 at the Prudential Center.  
 
"We watched the film of that game (this week)," said Wright. "We played really well and it was a two point game with three minutes to go. We know how talented this team is and how difficult a game this is."
 
The Wildcats captured their fifth BIG EAST Tournament title since 2015, defeating Creighton 54-48 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Wright spoke on Selection Sunday about how important it would be this week to allow his squad to get some rest to refresh itself.

"I hope it was beneficial," stated Wright. "I know it sounds funny, but we literally kind of have to negotiate and argue with them not to come in the gym. We really had to monitor that. Guys wanted to get into the gym to shoot. We kept them out of the gym Monday.
 
"I think we've got them rested. I think we've got them separated from the BIG EAST Tournament. It's a concern. I think because they know Delaware and know how good they are, they understand how difficult this will be. We'll see on Friday."