No. 1 Villanova’s first opponent could be weather

Villanova may have an opponent no overall No. 1 seed deserves: weather.

The Wildcats open play Thursday but there could be an outside influence on that game.

A major snowstorm is expected to hit the Northeast on Tuesday and that means a tough trip from Philadelphia to Buffalo for the defending national champions.

“We’re looking at leaving tomorrow night right now to try to get out of here before the snow hits on Tuesday,” coach Jay Wright said Sunday.

The Wildcats open against the winner of the First Four game between Mount Saint Mary’s and New Orleans on Tuesday in Dayton.

Hottest team

If you’re looking for the East region’s hottest team you have to go all the way down to the No. 6 seed SMU.

The Mustangs have won 16 straight including three games in the American Athletic Conference Tournament and 26 of their last 27.

“Our confidence is very high,” junior guard Sterling Brown said. “We’re gelling on and off the floor and it’s showing. I feel like we’re going to make a good run in the tournament.”

Tired Duke

Duke won four games in four days to win the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. Even though they don’t open play against Troy until Friday, how will coach Mike Krzyzewski handle his team being tired?

“One thing is we adjust how much we give them in a scouting report. It becomes

“We’ll have the team watch it. We’ll watch it together and then we’ll still break it down,” Wright said. “It’s actually tougher. You don’t have as much time to prepare.”

less because there’s less time,” he said. “We’re at the end of the season, so they’re accustomed to that.

“Winning championships is not easy. So whatever you need to do to be tough, it’s not about being motivated now. They are motivated. They’re tired. The other team is really good. How are we going to be tough right now?”