PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Villanova Wildcats will be going for their fourth-straight Big East championship.
They were denied the opportunity last season because of COVID-19. On March 12, 2020, all major college basketball tournaments were canceled due to the start of the pandemic. The Wildcats were in New York getting ready for their night game when they were sent home.
As COVID-19 issues continued across college basketball throughout the season, some wondered if the conference tourneys would be canceled for a second straight year. However, college tournaments are taking place across the country with restrictions still in place.
Villanova will get a chance to play at Madison Square Garden — albeit, in front of an empty arena. Head coach Jay Wright is grateful for the opportunity, no matter the circumstances.
“It’s just always a special time of year for us,” he said. “We feel grateful to be able to go to New York and play in this. A lot of incredible COVID protocols to do it, but getting this far this season, I think we’re all grateful for it.”
Senior guard Collin Gillespie is sidelined with a knee injury, so the Wildcats will have a much younger team on the court when they open tournament play Thursday afternoon against Georgetown. Many of the players will be playing in their first Big East Tournament.
Sophomore Jeremiah Robinson-Earl said he and his teammates will keep their focus on the task at hand.
“It might be a little different than past years,” he said. “But we’ll just focus on 94-by-50 feet and just playing for each other, our teammates and coaches, and just focusing on one game at a time. Just our next game.”
The Wildcats will need key contributions from several players with little experience if they are to advance. In addition to Gillespie, guard Justin Moore is also out with an injury. Chris Arcidiacono saw his minutes increase after the injuries to his teammates.
Arcidiacono watched his brother, Ryan, play for Villanova in past Big East Tournaments, and the sophomore said he is ready for the tournament spotlight, regardless of the atmosphere.
“This experience is going to be great,” he enthused. “I’m ready just to be in New York. The Big East Tournament’s always fun with or without fans.”
“It really is almost everybody’s first opportunity to play in this,” Wright added. "Even though there’s no fans, there’s still something really special about being in Manhattan and playing in the Garden and having a Big East opponent. That means a lot.”