Second Round Notes From Philadelphia
by Ray Floriani
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The number one seeds survived. UConn and Villanova were put to the test, challenged in both rounds and responded. Given the upsets that were the norm in other parts of the country, getting the victories and moving on to the regionals was not an automatic, rather an accomplishment. The idea is the number ones get the easy route, but as UConn coach Jim Calhoun remarked, “there are no easy routes.” When the smoke cleared, UConn edged Kentucky and Villanova turned back Arizona at the Wachovia Center to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
Sunday’s Scores
UConn 87 Kentucky 83
Villanova 82 Arizona 78
Until the regionals it could be ‘analysis till paralysis’ regarding UConn. The bottom line: the Huskies advanced to the Sweet 16. In doing so they faced two types of challenges. UConn’s first two rounds saw distinct contrasts. Against Albany in the opening round, the Huskies trailed by 12 midway through the second half. For the next eight minutes Jim Calhoun’s club put on a clinic. “Those last ten minutes should be made into a tape,” Calhoun said, “to show future teams how to run the offense and defend.” UConn pulled away for a 72-59 decision.
In the Kentucky game, UConn drew first blood and enjoyed an early lead before Kentucky regrouped. Throughout the game the pattern persisted – UConn would build a double-digit edge and threaten to blow it open, and each time the Wildcats would make a run and close the gap. Still, UConn held their ground. “We took every shot Kentucky gave us,” Calhoun added.
In the stretch the ball was in the hands of Marcus Williams, who made a series of clutch plays. In the last thirty seconds the 6-3 UConn point guard hit all four free throws to maintain the lead. “We shoot free throws every day in practice,” Williams said. “When I went to the line all I thought of was (Washington) D.C.” – the site of the regionals and UConn’s next destination.
A month ago there were those who felt Arizona would not make the NCAA field, let alone get to round two. In the end Lute Olsen’s club gave an extremely positive account of itself. The Pac-10 representatives knocked off Wisconsin 94-75 in the opening round. Facing No. 1 Villanova in what almost amounted to a ‘Nova home game, Arizona gave its Big East competition everything it could handle before falling.
“Both teams played very well,” Olsen said, “the game was decided on a few key plays but we did everything we wanted to do. Those two guards were just tough.”
The two guards Olsen alluded to were Randy Foye and Allan Ray, who combined for 49 of Villanova’s points. Foye was chosen Big East Player of the Year. Villanova coach Jay Wright agrees the 6-4 senior was deserving but his classmate Ray deserves mention. “Randy was the player of the year for his entire Big East season effort,” Wright said. “But if you looked at Ray’s play over the last month he has played like THE player of the year.”
Arizona challenged with an inside game that grabbed 20 offensive rebounds. Olsen’s club also benefited from the guard play of Hassan Adams and Mustafa Shakur, a Philadelphia native, who added 21.
In the waning moments though, Villanova nursed and kept a slim lead. Foye hit a running jumper with just over a minute left to give ‘Nova a four-point lead. It was their only field goal in the last four minutes. Foye did miss two free throws with 35 seconds left. The lead was never lost though, as Ray hit four straight from the charity stripe the last sixteen seconds to send Villanova to Minneapolis.
Notable Performers
Marcus Williams, UConn: 20 points 8 assists
Rudy Gay, UConn: 19 points 4 rebounds
Bobby Perry, Kentucky: 20 points, 7 rebounds
Patrick Sparks, Kentucky: 28 points
Randy Foye, Villanova: 24 points, 6 rebounds
Allan Ray, Villanova: 25 points
Marcus Williams, Arizona: 24 points 8 rebounds
Nustafa Shakur, Arizona: 21 points, 5 assists
Notes
- Villanova played three Big East games (winning all) at the Wachovia Center this season. For all intents and purposes it was a ‘Nova home game. On the Arizona side there were no excuses nor complaints. “There were 20,000 here and I bet they had 17,000 fans,” said Arizona’s Marcus Williams. “In that environment it’s loud, crazy and hard to communicate but we’ve been in that situation before.”
- Villanova’s Jay Wright made no bones about it. The site was a definite benefit to his club. “You have the familiarity,” Wright said. “You are familiar with the locker rooms, the court, the bench you are on. Even being here you’re home. Everyone says hello to you at the hotel, you see a lot of familiar faces. Now when we go to Minneapolis, it will be like going on the road for a regular NCAA trip.”
- Wachovia Center is a pro arena (home of the Sixers) with a capacity just over 20,000. Make no mistake, though: it can get very loud like an on campus facility. Villanova media relations director Mike Sheridan noted that some writers said the crowd level during Villanova’s win here over UConn in mid February was the loudest since the 2001 NBA finals.
- Villanova coach Jay Wright has a truly special guard combination that transcends points. “When I coached Speedy Claxton (at Hofstra) I thought I’d never have another player like him,” Wright said. “Here I have two (Foye and Ray). They are like coaches on the floor. You put the ball in their hands and they make the right decisions and every time they get fouled they make shots.”
- Arizona freshman Marcus Williams was outstanding. Foye had 20 at the half, so Olsen assigned the 6-7 Williams to Foye. Williams held him to five second half points while doing some damage of his own. Williams was a force inside, leading Arizona with 24 points and eight rebounds.
- Kentucky made its second half run largely on the perimeter shooting of Patrick Sparks. The 6′ senior led all scorers with 28 pints (4-of-9 beyond the arc). “It’s tough to get over the screens from where (Sparks) shoots from,” said UConn’s Marcus Williams. “He did a great job today.”
- Rudy Gay had a solid 19-point outing for UConn, while Hilton Armstrong made several key plays in the stretch. The 6-11 senior rebounded two missed free throws and secured another loose ball during the crucial final three minutes.
- Lute Olsen on Villanova’s four guard offense: “The biggest problem is they (the guards) are quick and strong. Scouting reports of tape breakdowns show they get in the middle of the lane 85 percent of the time. Knowing it and stopping them are tough. If you drop guys (in the lane) to help they pass it back out to the perimeter. They are all very unselfish.”
- Arizona’s inside game forced Wright to call on a few big men. Sheridan was his solid self with 16 points, but freshmen Dante Cunningham and Shane Clark added significant minutes for Villanova.
- Former Villanova coach Rollie Massimino was in attendance. During one timeout an announcement was made with Massimino’s picture flashed on the scoreboard as the Villanova crowd cheered enthusiastically.
- Times really have changed. The announcement that Georgetown defeated Ohio State to advance to the Sweet 16 was met by thunderous applause by the Villanova crowd.
- By the time the crowd exited Wachovia Center, there was knowledge that this tournament will produce a new champion, as defending champion North Carolina was upset by George Mason. In fact, the final minutes of the UNC-George Mason contest had several media members heading to the press room during media timeouts to catch the finish.
On The Baseline
- What do some of the out-of-town cheer squads do on an off day? Take in the sights, naturally. The Kentucky group actually went to New York. “Among the places we saw were Ground Zero,” said senior Mateas Alfonso. “It was a reality check.”
- The Arizona squad took in Philly. “We ran up and down the museum steps like in ‘Rocky’,” said junior Taylor Henderson. The trip also included a few art museums and a Ben Franklin exhibition play, a Philly favorite. “We ate three meals of Philly cheese steaks,” said sophomore Angela Peiffer.
- Best band selection: From the Arizona band, the theme from the old Mission Impossible TV show. It was selected by an AU student and played to a nice uptempo beat.
