Top-Ranked Cats Vow To Keep Their Focus
by Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Villanova has the number one ranking in college basketball, but the Wildcats insist being number one won't get to their heads.
Just hours after being ranked at the top of the polls, it was business as usual on the practice court for Villanova. The Wildcats had one last workout before heading to Chicago for their game with DePaul on Tuesday night. Villanova players along with Head Coach Jay wright were flattered to get the number one spot, but Wright says his team has to focus on its next opponent instead of the rankings.
"It's really cool," said Wright. "But we've got to make sure it's not too much of part of what we do. We've got a challenge of getting ready for DePaul and not think about being number one. It is a very, very nice honor. I don't want to underscore that at all."
Players such as Guard Ryan Arcidiacono echoed Wright's sentiments. In addition to insisting the Wildcats won't change their approach with a number one ranking, Arcidiacono was quick to point out how several other teams across the country have fallen from the top spot this season.
"It doesn't really change anything," Arcidiacono said. "Honestly, it's cool to be number one, but there's been seven or eight number one teams. We know everyone's coming for us. We knew that before but now that we're number one, people are going to be coming even more."
Forward Daniel Ochefu is hoping to return to the lineup Tuesday night after recovering from a concussion. Ochefu cautioned how little the ranking will mean when the game gets underway at DePaul Tuesday night. The Blue Demons are 8-15 and have won just two games in the Big East, but Ochefu knows they will get a big boost playing on their home floor.
"It goes out the window for us on the court," said Ochefu. "We know we're coming into DePaul on the road. Because we're number one, they're going to be very excited to try and get us at their house. We can't really get caught up in the hype. It's just a ranking. It could be gone by the end of the week for all we know."
Even if the Wildcats eventually fall from the top of the rankings, it is clearly a major milestone for the program. Nova Nation will take time to enjoy the moment, but the players are hoping for bigger moments in March.
"We know it's a big honor for our fans," Arcidiacono said. "But that's not the ultimate goal. We just want to play on together and hopefully, we can keep getting better from that."
