By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published March 26, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS - For many, Villanova remains associated with former coach Rollie Massimino and the 1985 national championship game, which is just fine with current coach Jay Wright .
Now in his fifth season, Wright said his team is trying to continue a legacy, not rebuild one.
If asked about Villanova, "I think what people would say right now would be Rollie Massimino, Kerry Kittles , Alvin Williams , and I'm okay with that," Wright said. "I'm very proud of that. That '85 game was so prominent, it's such a big part of sports history, I don't think that will ever be erased from the identity of Villanova basketball. I don't ever want that to be forgotten. ... But no one here really cares about making a name for themselves. Coach Massimino gave us a line that "tradition never graduates,' and I think that's what these guys take great pride in, just maintaining that tradition."
Villanova is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1988.
FINAL FOUR MEMORIES ... SORT OF: Florida guard Taurean Green is one game from advancing to the Final Four, which would mark his first trip to the event. He had a chance to go with his father, Sidney Green , a former UNLV star and a former college head coach and assistant, but things didn't quite work out.
"My dad went to the Final Four one time and he brought me a shirt back," Green said Saturday afternoon. "I wanted to go, but he said I had to go to school. I tried to convince him to let me go, but he wouldn't."
NOAH'S NEW FAME: Sophomore forward Joakim Noah continues to be the primary focus of the media attention this week, much to his dismay.
"I think for him, he doesn't like this," coach Billy Donovan said. "He is more concerned about letting everybody get a little attention. I think the other guys here know he feels that way. He is very, very unselfish and very caring and giving."
Green said the extra attention doesn't disturb the other players.
"The good thing with us is, it's just team," Green said. "We're happy for all the players who get all this attention, but we keep it in perspective. I think all the players who don't get it, they know they are a part of our team. The key to our team is we keep everything as a unit."
By the way, if you're in Gainesville looking for that Sports Illustrated with Noah on the cover, you're going to have to wait. Several local bookstores are compiling waiting lists for customers in the event they are able to secure more copies.
WE'VE GOT LEE: Call it a little foreshadowing.
Florida's starting lineup of Lee Humphrey , Al Horford , Green, Noah and Corey Brewer has started 26 games this season, going 23-3. It's the same group that comprised one of the Gators' pickup basketball teams two summers ago.
"I didn't have any idea (this would be the Elite Eight lineup), but it's kind of funny because when they were picking teams we were like, "What are the teams going to be?"' Horford said. "And (Noah) was like, "It's going to be us freshmen and we will take Lee Humphrey."'
Good call.
HE SAID IT: Brewer, answering questions about his winning basket Friday night, insisted he's not sure what happened. He did a spin move and, while caught between defenders, went up strong and scored on a layup; he was fouled and also hit the free throw.
"Everyone wants to know if I was looking at the goal," Brewer said. "I really wasn't, but I just threw it up there and it went in."
