What Villanova coach Jay Wright and players had to say about KU before Final Four
Villanova coach Jay Wright and his players took the podium first in New Orleans to give their thoughts on their men’s Final Four showdown against the Kansas Jayhawks.
The Wildcats (30-7) will play KU (32-6) for the second time in the last five years in the Final Four on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:09 p.m. with the NCAA Tournament semifinal game broadcast on TBS from the Caesars Superdome.
Here’s everything Villanova had to say about the Jayhawks on Thursday.
General thoughts on the Jayhawks...
Head coach Jay Wright: “We are preparing for a great Kansas team that has proven themselves all season in every situation. They’re going to be one of the fastest, quickest teams we’ve played against. And always a Bill Self team is incredibly intelligent defensively and tough and we know we’re going to have to be smart offensively against them.”
Senior guard Collin Gillespie: “The last two years we saw them (56-55 Villanova win on Dec. 21, 2019), (Ochai) Agbaji was a big piece of that. (Christian) Braun was a big piece of that. (David) McCormack was on the team, so three guys that we’re real familiar with that have only gotten better. And (Jalen) Wilson is in his sophomore year, so he’s gotten a lot better since last year. And adding Remy Martin to it coming off the bench, being a really dynamic scorer has been really big for them. And (Dajuan) Harris steadies the ship, runs the offense. We’re expecting a great game. Obviously they’re really well-coached and a lot of depth where they can put it inside and McCormack can score or play outside with the four guards kick it and shoot the three and iso and kind of score on isos.”
Sophomore forward Eric Dixon: “We know Kansas is a great team with a lot of great individual pieces that come together very well to make them the team they are. We know we’re expecting a tough battle with them.”
What are the similarities and differences between the 2018 Final Four matchup against KU?
Head coach Jay Wright: “I think they’re really different teams. My recollection of that game was it was just one of those games. We just made — it was ridiculous. And we’ve been on the other side of that. I remember looking down at Bill (Self) thinking, I’ve been there. It just so happened in a Final Four game. We made every shot. We don’t even count that as — we were just lucky that happened. But I do think this year, really different teams. We don’t have the firepower that that team had. Kansas is a way faster team and much more explosive and much more perimeter-oriented than that team. So it’s almost like we’re flip-flopped in terms of what the teams are like. So different. But I think the things that are the same, those teams, what always impresses us is the intellect defensively and the execution in dead-ball situations is always, coaches get off on that stuff. So it’s always impressive when you see that stuff. I don’t know how much players like it. But when coaches are watching other coaches doing it, that’s pretty cool. They do good stuff.
What players must you stop for Villanova to be successful against KU?
Head coach Jay Wright: “If you look at inside-outside, you have to say Agbaji and McCormack. The beauty of their team you’ve got Remy coming off the bench and is as high-powered as anybody right now. So you can go through any of the positions. And I love Wilson, how he plays. He reminds me of like a bigger Josh Hart, which is nice unless you’re playing against him. When you see that it’s, like, wow, Josh Hart but bigger, and that’s pretty cool except we’ve got to play against that guy. And so I think the strength of their team is in their balance inside-outside; Braun, great shooter and driver. And if you talk about the consistencies of Bill Self team, I would have to say they always play hard. They’re always outstanding defensively, always very intelligent. And they’re great in after-timeout situations, end-of-game situations, the sign of all well-coached teams.
Does KU remind you of any team you have already played this season?
Junior guard Chris Arcidiacono: “I’m not sure anyone that we’ve played throughout the year. They’re a unique team. Clearly they’re a No. 1 seed, great team. They play tough, physical, and fast. For us we’ve got to make sure that we defend and rebound and play Villanova basketball the best we can for 40 minutes. I wouldn’t say one team in the conference season or out of conference. They’re their own unique team.”
Senior forward Jermaine Samuels: “I don’t think there’s a team in the Big East or out of our conference that’s similar to them. They have great balance and they all share the ball really well on top of that. They have a great front court with McCormack and (Mitch) Lightfoot. They know how to mix it up and get out in transition. And you add Remy Martin to the piece, and it can get really explosive in their offense. They’re a great team. They know how to defend. They know how to guard as well. And they’re a No. 1 seed for the reason. They won their conference tournament for a reason. They’re a great Kansas team.”
What do you remember from the 56-55 Villanova win over KU from Dec. 21, 2019?
Senior forward Jermaine Samuels: “I remember that game was electric and his presence and I think — (Udoka) Azubuike’s presence — they always have great guys in the front court, very physical. Know how to use angles and rebound very well. Their presence has always felt and it’s always noticed. And I’m expecting, we’re all expecting to see that on Saturday.
Junior guard Chris Arcidiacono: “They’ve had a couple of the same players on that team, Agbaji and Braun — and then McCormack and even Lightfoot. They’ve had a lot of guys who have a lot of experience over the years. And like Jermaine said, they’re a tough, physical team who has gotten better ever since that game. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”
How can posting up your guards be an equalizer going up against KU when you’re undermanned?
Head coach Jay Wright: “You hope it is. You hope it’s something that can be effective. I think we get a lot of credit for that. It’s just a part of what we do. We can be successful without it. But it’s something that we like to use. One of the things about Kansas that concerns us is if you look at Braun, Agbaji, those guys, and even Harris, they play with length and size. And they always have a Lightfoot or McCormack around the basket to protect the basket. That’s going to be difficult. So we’re going to have to be creative in finding ways to get our guards down there. If we can it’s going to be good for us. If we can’t, we have to have other answers.
Does it mean anything to you to be here with schools like KU, North Carolina and Duke?
Senior forward Jermaine Samuels: “Yes, it’s an honor. Ever since I started watching basketball, all you see is Carolina, Duke or Kansas making it to the Final Four. Being part of it makes it that much special. And I think it’s just a tribute for us as Villanova to the guys that came before us. Even the guys that may have not made a Final Four or may not have gotten that far. All the work they put in and we do it for them. And it’s interesting to see what’s going to come of the future. But we’re extremely grateful to be here.”
Head coach Jay Wright: “Do I feel anything about being here with them, hell yeah. We have great respect for them. We have great respect for their tradition, their history and for the teams that they are right now. And we watch these teams. These are obviously the three best teams that are playing the best basketball right now. That’s what the tournament is, right? We all know that. It’s like who is playing the best basketball right now? And we never aspire to be one of those programs. As a matter of fact, we fight the urge to try to be like them because we’re just so different. We just try to be the best Villanova we can be. But when people on the outside connect us to them or count us as part of their legacy and tradition, we love it because we have so much respect for them.”
Does the KU-Villanova game on Saturday feel like the undercard to North Carolina-Duke game?
Head coach Jay Wright: “You know, when you say it, I get it. Somebody else did say that to me. I’m so worried about Kansas, honest to God. When I get out here, I have to answer the questions, I think about other things. They’re so fast, and what’s really impressive about them is there’s teams that play in transition fast. There’s a lot of teams that do that. In their half court offense they cut so fast. I remember watching a game just on, like, a Big Monday game or something, they were playing Texas Tech, it was the end of the game. It was in Lawrence. And they had to get a three and they passed and cut and passed and cut. And I was like, holy, man, I’m glad we don’t have to play them. Now here we are. So I’m not into the -- I don’t think about that at all. I’m so into our game.”
This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 1:37 PM with the headline "What Villanova coach Jay Wright and players had to say about KU before Final Four."
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