Texas Tech presents yet another physical challenge for Villanova
BOSTON » Jalen Brunson took his time as he went from one interview session to another Saturday at TD Garden. Every ounce of energy he could save meant more that the All-American Villanova point guard would have for Sunday’s NCAA East Region championship showdown with third-seeded Texas Tech.
Even Villanova coach Jay Wright, known for moving rather briskly, took his time moving around the backstage area in the arena.
At this time of the year, rest, hydration and nutrition are just as important as the scouting report on the next opponent, and the top-seeded Wildcats (33-4) made sure they followed that well-defined plan to the letter in anticipation of another tough, physical battle against one of the best defensive teams in the country.
“We’re trying to stay off our feet,” Wright said. “We didn’t use our whole (90-minute) practice time. We’re trying to stay as fresh as possible and try to learn as much about Texas Tech as we can through film and team meetings and walkthrough type settings just to be fresh, because they’re just as physical.”
Just as physical, Wright referenced, as West Virginia, the team the Wildcats defeated 90-78 Friday night to reach this Elite Eight game.
“They play 10 guys,” Wright said of Texas Tech. “They’re going to try to wear us down, much like West Virginia did.”
And that’s where John Shackleton and Jeff Pierce come into play. Shackleton is Villanova’s strength coach. Pierce is the athletic trainer. They’re the men responsible for making sure the Wildcats will be ready for what is expected to be another physically demanding battle.
“Today’s a crucial day,” Shackleton said. “I’ve been on them all day about staying hydrated. We’ll test their hydration. It’s also important that they get good food, high quality food, top of the line food. And it’s important to get as much rest as possible, get a good night’s sleep.”
Every team has a Shackleton and Pierce whose job it is to make sure that the athletes are in the best physical condition as possible. The players may not enjoy the offseason workouts and other physical regimens, but this is the time of year they pay dividends.
Before the Big East tournament, Villanova only had one stretch where it played back-to-back games or twice in three days, as is the case in the NCAA tournament. That was when the Wildcats were in the Battle for Atlantis tournament back in November. Otherwise, Villanova often had several days between games, giving the players plenty of time to recover.
Tournament season, though, is a different animal. It tests a team’s fitness. In the last three weeks, the Wildcats played on three consecutive nights in the Big East tournament and twice in three days in each of the last two weekends in the NCAA tournament.
And yet they have won six straight tournament games (Big East and NCAA) by an average of 17.7 points.
“Coach Shack is one of the best strength and conditioning coaches and he’s prepared us all year to be fresh coming off a game,” guard Phil Booth said. “Everything he does, all the lifts during the offseason and during the season are meant for recovery. Uncle Jeff is great with treatment and keeping our legs fresh. Everyone is a little banged up this time of the season. It’s just who is less banged up.”
Villanova looks good for a team that just came off its most physically demanding game of the season. It will be more of the same when the Wildcats take on the Red Raiders (27-9) for a spot in the Final Four. Tech does not press the way West Virginia did and does not force as many turnovers, but that does not make it any less stressful for Villanova.
“We watched film of Texas Tech and West Virginia playing each other,” Wright said. “Man, it was more physical than our game.”
Tech used its length and athleticism on defense to wear down second-seeded Purdue, 78-65, and reach the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.
“They’re a well-coached team, very disciplined at both ends of the floor,” Wright said. “They can really grind you. Their motion screening action is unique, reminiscent of Bobby Knight’s teams, that you don’t really see that as much anymore.”
The Wildcats had one day to prepare for Tech’s unique offensive attack, and recover from their most physically grueling game of the season.
“We’ll be ready,” Brunson said. “Shack does a good job of getting us ready for situations like this. He knows what to do to have our bodies ready to go.”