After two wins at Mohegan Sun’s ‘Bubbleville,’ Villanova is staying an extra day

UNCASVILLE - After enjoying success in two games at the Mohegan Sun Arena’s “Bubbleville” complex, Villanova has decided to stay at the facility in Uncasville, Conn., for an encore performance.

The third-ranked Wildcats posted a pair of ninepoint victories over Boston College and No. 18 Arizona State to capture the championship of the 2K Empire Classic, and will get in one more game, against Virginia Tech on Saturday night, before returning home.

Coach Jay Wright said the wheels began turning to find another game even before Villanova took the court Thursday night against Arizona State. Temple had reported positive tests for COVID19, thus resulting in the cancellation of games against the Hokies on Saturday night and against the Wildcats on Thursday at Finneran Pavilion.

However, before any game could be scheduled, the Wildcats needed to ask St. Joseph’s if it could move back their scheduled Monday game at the Pavilion to Wednesday. The Hawks agreed. Then after the 83-74 win over Arizona State, Wright received a call from a representative of the Gazelle Group, the promoter of the Empire Classic, to let him know Virginia Tech would play.

“I had to check with the team; they thought they were going home,” Wright said Friday. “They figured we were done. I don’t even know if they knew Temple was canceled, because we only talk about the next game. So the guys had already gone back to their room by the time I got back.

“I called Collin (Gillespie) and I told Collin, ‘Talk to the team, see what they think.’ Collin called me back, I called Gazelle Group back. I gave the OK to Ash Puri, our associate AD, and (assistant coach) George Halcovage, and they started making the details.”

It’s been a game of musical chairs for the Wildcats and other teams trying to schedule and reschedule games in the middle of a pandemic. Baylor was supposed to be the fourth team at the Empire Classic but did not come after coach Scott Drew tested positive. The Bears were replaced Tuesday by Rhode Island.