Former Wildcat Kerry Kittles finishing up first season as Princeton aide
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Two decades after he played his last game for Villanova, Kerry Kittles remains the program's all-time leading scorer. Now he's back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since then, as an assistant with Princeton. It's his first season of his first coaching job. And on Tuesday afternoon at Canisius College, he spent time catching up with the current Wildcats family while the Ivy League champs awaited their turn to practice.
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Two decades after he played his last game for Villanova, Kerry Kittles remains the program's all-time leading scorer. Now he's back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since then, as an assistant with Princeton. It's his first season of his first coaching job. And on Tuesday afternoon at Canisius College, he spent time catching up with the current Wildcats family while the Ivy League champs awaited their turn to practice.
Judging by the look on everyone's faces, it sure appeared to be a heartfelt reunion.
And why not? It's all good.
"It's a pretty cool coincidence," said Kittles, who still looks as if he could suit up. "When the brackets came out, I was immediately getting a bunch of phone calls and texts from Villanova people, telling me they couldn't wait to see me up here.
"It's a unique culture. And (coach Jay Wright's) added a lot to that. He's always bringing back the guys throughout the year for different events. We're in contact all the time, just talking about life in general. There's a connection. And it's authentic. That's who Jay is. He really cares.
"Being in the tournament again is great. But to be at the same site as my alma mater is . . . "
Villanova is, of course, your defending national champion and the top overall seed this year. On Thursday night at KeyBank Center, the Wildcats will play Mount St. Mary's, which won its First Four game in Dayton by a point over New Orleans on Tuesday night.
Princeton, which went unbeaten in the Ivies before winning the league's inaugural tourney at the Palestra, are in the Madness for the first time since 2011 as a 12 seed. The Tigers get Notre Dame, which has been in the Final Eight the last two years, Thursday afternoon.
"When they won last year, it was an unbelievable experience for all of us. I'll never forget it. It's fun to be a part of . . . They tease me because Mikal (Bridges) looks like me a little bit. And he sort of plays like me, somewhat. I've been around. They know my face. I go to some games, hang out in the locker room afterward. It's nice that I get that kind of reception from the young kids.
"I knew I was going into coaching some day or another, whether it was high school, college or pro. It just turned out that (head coach) Mitch (Henderson) and I had a mutual friend who got us together. It's a win-win. Everyone follows the leader. He's pretty calm and cool. I've haven't seen myself on video to see how I'm reacting. I'd rather be playing. But those days are long gone. They try to get me out there (at practice), but I don't want to embarrass myself.
"I'm just trying to bridge the gap between old school and the modern game."
Maybe he can even persuade Wright to schedule the Tigers one of these years, especially since the Pavilion will be undergoing a renovation next season.
"He told me he will not play the Tigers," Kittles said, smiling. "But I think he would. Jadwin (Gym) is always open, coach. So c'mon."
@mikekerndn