PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — On one hand, it was great to be back. On the other hand, it was a short stay. Villanova's quest for a fourth straight Big East title came to an end in the quarterfinals as the Wildcats fell to Georgetown, 72-71.
Two free throws in the final seconds proved to be the difference as a desperation shot fell off the mark at the buzzer. The game went back and fourth in the closing minutes, and Wildcats coach Jay Wright credited Georgetown for executing better at the most important time of the game.
"They played great," said Wright. "It was a great college basketball game and down the stretch, it got down to a one possession game, and they executed those last two possessions a little bit better than us."
Free throws made the difference in the game. Villanova went 14 for 22 at the line, while Georgetown was a perfect 23 for 23. Forward Jermaine Samuels said the Wildcats executed well for much of the game but couldn't finish the job in the closing moments.
"We executed on trying to play Villanova basketball for a full 40 minutes," said Samuels. "It just so happened the game came down to the wire and the ball rolled in Georgetown’s court."
There were a limited number of fans in attendance at Madison Square Garden. It was hardly the typical Big East Tournament atmosphere, but just having the tournament is an accomplishment after the pandemic forced a cancelation last year. With a host of young players on the court, Wright is hoping this experience will help his players with the NCAA Tournament on the horizon.
"We did have some fans." said Wright. "It was pretty cool to have some fans in there. Not a lot, but I hope than can get us some depth in the NCAA Tournament."
That is the tournament the Wildcats are now turning their attention to. All of the teams will play all of the tournament games in Indianapolis this season with the nation still dealing with the pandemic. Forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is ready to put this loss behind him and move forward.
"They really executed their game plan well," Robinson-Earl said. "We just needed to be better defensively, but I think we’ve got to keep playing a full 40 minutes and just keep a great attitude and look for the NCAA Tournament now."