VILLANOVA WILDCATS
› Record: 22-3 (12-1 Big East)› AP Ranking/RPI: 1/3› Best win: 95-64 over current No. 8 Xavier› Worst loss: 78-55 to Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7› Best player: Senior point guard Ryan Arcidiacono makes the Wildcats go, but junior wing Josh Hart not only averages a team-high 15.2 points but hits 51 percent of his field-goal tries and 74 percent of his foul shots. He also grabs 7.5 rebounds a game for a team that outrebounds its opponents by only 3.3 boards a game.› Biggest weakness: While the Wildcats are fourth nationally in free-throw shooting (77.7 percent), that accuracy has not carried over to 3-point shooting, where they are being outshot by their opponents, 33.4 percent to 32.5 percent. A poor shooting night in a shooter-friendly arena against a hot-shooting 3-point team such as Duke or Oklahoma could end the Wildcats’ season.› Can be hoopin’ in Houston if: Senior post player Daniel Ochefu stays out of foul trouble and the rest of the team isn’t forced to hit 3-pointers to win. A long-armed zone such as that employed by Syracuse could hurt Villanova, but in a year without giants, the Philly felines look as tough as anyone.› Coachspeak: “We haven’t played a team as efficient on both ends of the court as Villanova. They are experienced and good in a lot of facets of the game. They get great guard play with their decision-making, ball movement and shot-making.” — DePaul’s Dave Leitao after a 86-59 home loss to Villanova on Feb. 9.
Road to Final Four series
* Indiana suddenly good enough to win it all * Nothing silly about a Virginia run to Final Four * Buddy system could make Oklahoma an NCAA champion * Can No. 1 Villanova finish season as Top Cats? * Michigan State back on track for Final Four run * Texas A&M could become a March monster * Tar Heels good enough to win Williams his third NCAA title * Kansas once more has Final Four look in January
When you’ve waited 95 years to reach the top of The Associated Press college basketball poll for the first time in school history, you’re apparently a little bit selfish about keeping it.
At least Villanova certainly has acted that way since earning its first-ever No. 1 ranking on Feb. 8.
The Wildcats’ first game after that ranking was announced was an 86-59 road rout of DePaul so impressive that Blue Demons coach Dave Lietao said, “We were playing a program – and all credit to coach Jay Wright – that has played at a high level for 15 years. Their guys believe wholeheartedly in their brand. They crowd the basket and crowd the floor and keep you continually off balance. They deserve that ranking.”