As we reported in the previous thread, Sunday's Villanova-Xavier game has been postponed. Jay Wright confirmed the Wildcats will actively look to find a replacement opponent for this weekend.
Obviously there is a lot of chatter about a Villanova-Gonzaga matchup as the Zags are also looking for an opponent this weekend. There has been contact between the programs, but Gonzaga will have to get in line if it hopes to pay the Wildcats. Villanova's first priority will be trying to play a Big East game, and it will explore every opportunity to do so before turning to a non-conference opponent. "We gotta start with a possible Big East game," Wright said. "If we can’t get a Big East game, then non-conference. We definitely, of all teams, have a responsibility to the Big East that we gotta play a Big East game. We screwed up enough people’s games, so that’s our first priority.”
Wright did confirm that he has talked with Gonzaga coach Mark Few and that there is mutual interest in a game. "I told him our priority has to be the Big East first," Wright said. "If we can get a Big East game we gotta play the Big East game, we owe it to the Big East." But if there is no opportunity to play a Big East opponent, the programs may try to put something together. "I said to him 'we’ll stay in touch. If we can’t get a Big East game, we can talk about it'.”
If I had to guess right now who Villanova will play this weekend, I'd say it would be a Big East team. But with all the logistics involved in these on-the-fly schedulings and the possibility that any plan can be disrupted, and if no conference opponent can be arranged it is very possible we get Villanvoa-Gonzaga.
Obviously there is a lot of chatter about a Villanova-Gonzaga matchup as the Zags are also looking for an opponent this weekend. There has been contact between the programs, but Gonzaga will have to get in line if it hopes to pay the Wildcats. Villanova's first priority will be trying to play a Big East game, and it will explore every opportunity to do so before turning to a non-conference opponent. "We gotta start with a possible Big East game," Wright said. "If we can’t get a Big East game, then non-conference. We definitely, of all teams, have a responsibility to the Big East that we gotta play a Big East game. We screwed up enough people’s games, so that’s our first priority.”
Wright did confirm that he has talked with Gonzaga coach Mark Few and that there is mutual interest in a game. "I told him our priority has to be the Big East first," Wright said. "If we can get a Big East game we gotta play the Big East game, we owe it to the Big East." But if there is no opportunity to play a Big East opponent, the programs may try to put something together. "I said to him 'we’ll stay in touch. If we can’t get a Big East game, we can talk about it'.”
If I had to guess right now who Villanova will play this weekend, I'd say it would be a Big East team. But with all the logistics involved in these on-the-fly schedulings and the possibility that any plan can be disrupted, and if no conference opponent can be arranged it is very possible we get Villanvoa-Gonzaga.