PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Many college basketball fans wondered throughout the season if an NCAA Tournament would happen in 2021. For the Villanova Wildcats and the rest of the field of 68, there is no better place to be right now than Indiana.
All 68 tournament teams have arrived in the restrictive bubble environment, adhering to strict COVID-19 safety measures, with action set to get underway on Thursday. Villanova's first-round game will be Friday night against Winthrop. The Wildcats went through their share of coronavirus delays this season, but now Jay Wright and his players can savor the opportunity to be back in college basketball's greatest showcase.
"We are here in the bubble and happy to be here," said Wright. "I think it’s an accomplishment in itself for our players, for the NCAA, and for the Big East having gotten through a season this year. I’m proud of our conference, and I’m proud of our players."
Even when the Wildcats weren't dealing with COVID-19, players were forced to deal with strict restrictions when it came to staying safe. It kept players and coaches away from their families as they attempted to navigate through the season. Sophomore Jeremiah Robinson-Earl said the love of the game provided the motivation he needed to get through the 2021 campaign.
"I just love the game of basketball," Robinson-Earl said. "Basketball will always overcome anything. That’s why I was able to get through this season and stay mentally tough and strong."
Robinson-Earl missed the opportunity to play in the tournament during his freshman season. He is enjoying his chance to play in this year's tournament even though it is a bit different than most tournament settings. There are challenges when it comes to preparing for a first-round opponent, but Robinson-Earl and his teammates are also facing the challenge of keeping busy as they remain isolated from much of their surroundings.
"It’s hard to fill up the full day," said Robinson-Earl. "We go back to the room, and you just kind of have to with your teammates, and just find things to do. Even if it’s just watching a show or just playing video games."
It won't be a video game setting on Friday night when Villanova battles Winthrop. This will be a difficult test for the fifth-seeded Wildcats. The Eagles finished 23-1 and won every game in their conference tournament by over 20 points. While Wright and his players are happy to be where they are, they are also ready to focus on taking the first step toward another long NCAA Tournament run.
"We’ve got as great team in Winthrop to play," Wright said. "They're a team that really knows how to win, obviously 23-1. They won their regular season. They won their conference tournament. They’ve got great depth."