Villanova's Wright: Let us in Big East for football

NEW YORK - When reports came out late last week that Villanova was attempting to keep Temple out of the Big East, the reaction was understandable. Trying to separate fact from fiction gets more complicated when schools in the same organization have conflicting agendas. And truth is often the first casualty when feelings are in play.

Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright, speaking at yesterday's Big East Media Day at the New York Athletic Club, explained his school's position.

"We want to be in for football," Wright said. "That's the issue. If Temple is in for basketball, it's not going to change the Temple-Villanova rivalry. It can't get any better. We want to be in for football. Whatever the conference does and gets us in for football, we're happy with it. I don't care what they do with Temple, as long as they put us in for football."

Villanova, which has been in the Big East in most sports but football for 30 years and figures that should give it some juice, simply does not want to get left behind in this bizarre world that is conference realignment, circa 2011.

If Villanova does get in for football, would Wright have any objection to Temple being in for all sports?

"If we're in for football, we've got no problem with anything," Wright said. "Once we're in for football, whatever's best for the conference. But we have to protect Villanova and we can't get involved with any other school. We can't even help the other basketball schools right now . . . Right now, we have to let the football schools decide what's best for football. We're lobbying that we're best for football."

Is it possible that Villanova's position on football could be interpreted as a knock against Temple? Obviously. Is the university's position irrational? Obviously not.

"It's a changing time in college athletics and the Big East has been hit the most," Wright said. "Obviously, they're the most disjointed right now. Emotions are high. It's difficult for us, but this will settle down."

Wright said he talked to Temple basketball coach Fran Dunphy about the situation.

"We have great respect for Temple," Wright said. "We know all the positives that will come if they came in. Just put Villanova in for football, period."

Wright understands that is not how Villanova's position has been portrayed.

"I feel bad that the media is being given information that is wrong," Wright said. "And it's schools in the Big East posturing for position. That's just the position we're in. There's a lot of politicking going on and it's because we're in a very difficult situation. I understand it. I don't like it. The bottom line is Villanova wants to be in the Big East for football. We've said it. We've worked with the Big East on it."

Defending national champion Connecticut and Syracuse were in a dead heat for first in the preseason coaches' poll. Louisville was picked third and Pittsburgh fourth.

Villanova checked in eighth.

"I like it better the other way," Jay Wright said. "I definitely like it when I'm sitting here knowing I've got a team that's highly regarded, respected, maybe feared a little bit. I like that better.

"Now, given this opportunity, it's exciting. I think where we're picked, eighth, is probably fair, given the experience of the other guys. It gives us a challenge to get there by the end of the year."

Wright has experience in point guard Maalik Wayns, wings Dominic Cheek and James Bell, and center Mouphtaou Yarou. The freshmen will tell the tale.

"Darrun Hilliard looks like a guy that's ready," Wright said. "JayVaughn [Pinkston] I think is going to be a big contributor. Markus Kennedy is pretty mature for a freshman. Tyrone Johnson may be the guy that's going to be the biggest 'X' factor because we need that position. We haven't been short on guards at Villanova for a long time, but we're short on guards, especially point guard. He broke his foot this summer so he is a little behind."

Pittsburgh's Ashton Gibbs was picked as the preseason player of the year. Wayns (Roman Catholic) and Syracuse's Scoop Jardine (Neumann-Goretti) were picked for the second team.

Jay Wright:

"The Northeast is basketball. The Southeast is football. The Midwest is football."