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Kern: Villanova focused on Wisconsin, eschews questions about repeating as champ

BUFFALO, N.Y. - So you thought that just because Villanova finally won a second-round NCAA Tournament game last March then proceeded to win four more times over the next two weeks meant the Wildcats would never have to answer any more questions.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - So you thought that just because Villanova finally won a second-round NCAA Tournament game last March then proceeded to win four more times over the next two weeks meant the Wildcats would never have to answer any more questions.

Well, it's now just a different question.

That's what happens when you're the overall top seed and trying to become only the third team to claim back-to-back titles since UCLA's reign ended in the mid-1970s.

A year ago, the pressure on the Wildcats dealt with addressing failure. They didn't talk about it until the obstacle had been exorcised and that had moved on to the second weekend of the tournament. This time, the pressure is not the same. That doesn't mean it's less of a burden.

This group, which faces Wisconsin in the second round Saturday afternoon, hasn't talked about repeating. The outside perspective suggests the 'Cats should pretty much be playing with house money. Few office pools across America probably have them cutting down more nets, at least not compared with the usual blue-blood suspects on the food chain. Yet how many had Villanova as the last team standing a year ago?

The Wildcats should be having a good time with all this. Few teams ever find themselves in this position. Instead, they came out Thursday night in their tournament opener against Mount St. Mary's looking anything but loose. Especially Kris Jenkins, who made the three-pointer to beat North Carolina in last year's final that will live for eternity. Maybe that's what happens when your shot hasn't been falling. This team doesn't want to lose in the second round. Or even the third. The Wildcats want this ride to be just as special.

And, history aside, why not?

"That was a big monkey on our back with the first-weekend thing," coach Jay Wright said earlier this week. "It was kind of weird this year not having to answer the question that I answered the last three years. But both (situations) are challenging.

"If we're lucky enough to advance far in the tournament, I think the hype will be a little more (than last year). So that will be something surrounding us that can become a distraction."

Last year's question carried a negative connotation. This year, not really. Still, it could get just as redundant. Which means you're doing something right.

And only one team each Madness has that distinction.

"It's not vastly different," said senior center Darryl Reynolds, who figures to play a lot more in Saturday's second-round matchup against bigger Wisconsin than he did against Mount St. Mary's.

"You're answering a question, (with respect) to people's expectations being projected onto you. It's what this time of year brings. It's nothing to be upset about. You have to stay true to what you believe.

"Last year, we were fortunate, obviously. That was last year. I think we look at it as we were the champions. We realize last year was last year. This year is this year. People have been asking us (about repeating) all year. It's nothing new. Now, we're getting asked a bit more. It's what comes with the attention of the tournament. We're just blessed to be here. Very much so."

You think Duke or North Carolina or Kansas or Kentucky wouldn't want to field the question?

"I'd much rather have to be answering this question than the other one," senior swingman Josh Hart, who might win at least a few player of the year awards, said, smiling. "But it is what it is. We made a great run last year. That doesn't mean anything right now.

"Nothing really changes for us. I think that's the best part about it. We don't pay attention to what anyone has to say. But this is definitely a better question."

If the Wildcats lose to a Wisconsin team that's probably underseeded and reminds some of the North Carolina State team that took Villanova out in the second round in 2015, this class would still leave with a program-record 129 wins and a ring. You think that would trump three first-weekend losses? Sounds like a trade-off they could live with, even if it stings like hell for the moment.

Just because it's this year.

"We're dealing with a different vibe, in terms of the outside expectations and the outside questions," Wright said. "They're both equally as distracting. But you have to deal with it. That's part of the tournament. I think the best thing we did last year was handle the distractions. And played well. Sometimes you can play well, but the distractions get to you.

"We have to handle the questions about repeating, but focus on Wisconsin. One thing about getting past the second round was the questions finally went away. We could enjoy just playing. And it did kind of feel like we were playing with house money after that.

"This time, the question will always be there. That's OK. I'll take it."

As if he has a choice. Only this time, it's a much more welcome diversion.

kernm@phillynews.com

@mikekerndn