Jay Wright On Battle With Georgetown: 'Always Meaningful'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The phrase "throw out the records" is often overused in sports. The Villanova Wildcats insist it still rings true, as Georgetown comes to visit.
On Saturday, the Wildcats will take on the Hoyas in their regular season finale. Villanova is 26-4 and has already clinched the Big East regular season crown. Georgetown has struggled this season and the Hoyas will come to town with a record of 14-16. However, Wildcats Coach Jay Wright says there will still be plenty of intensity on the court when the two teams do battle at the Wells Fargo Center.
"We have such great respect for Georgetown the program and the university," said Wright. "When these two schools meet, it's always meaningful. You can tell by a sold out Wells Fargo Center. That's Villanova people who love watching Georgetown and Villanova."
While the Hoyas have endured a difficult season, things could have easily been different for Georgetown. John Thompson III's squad has lost ten games this season by six points or less. The Wildcats insist they are not taking the Hoyas lightly, and Forward Daniel Ochefu believes the Cats must play at a high level to avoid an upset.
"They've been in all of their games," Ochefu said. "They've had some things not go their way down the stretch. They're a very talented, well-coached team. There's no sleeping on them."
The Wildcats have remained focused against every opponent no matter where teams were sitting in the standings. Wright says they are taking the same approach to this game even though the Wildcats have already wrapped up the Big East regular season crown. Seeing Georgetown on the other side of the court will provide plenty of motivation for the Wildcats as they tune up for the Big East Tournament.
"It helps that it's Georgetown," said Wright. "Georgetown-Villanova for Villanova people is a happening. It's like Army-Navy for us. It's why it's a sellout. People just love that environment, and we love playing in it."
The Wildcats are no strangers to raucous atmospheres. They have been on both ends of a loud environment throughout the season. Players such as Kris Jenkins are expecting another one on Saturday, but Jenkins insists they have to try and keep the rivalry out of their minds when they take the court.
"I know it's a great rivalry," Jenkins said. "While you're here and while you're playing, you try not to get into that. You just focus on your next game and the task at hand. It's going to be a battle for us."
