Written by Gerry Ahern at USAToday.com
Villanova and the Big East are again elite, thanks in large part to the play of senior guard Ryan Arcidiacono.
Arcidiacono outdueled Miami (Fla.) opposite Angel Rodriguez in a classic backcourt matchup as the second-seeded Wildcats advanced to the NCAA South Region final with an 92-69 win Thursday night at the KFC Yum Center.
Arcidiacono did it all on both ends of the court, finishing with 21 points, four assists and three steals.
Rodriguez, too was brilliant, striking for 13 points, eight assists and two steals.
Arcidiacono was just better.
“We wanted to be aggressive from the start,” Arcidiacono said. “We did a great baseline out-of-bounds play to get me going. Then I was just being aggressive for plays that were called for me and just read the defense. I think I was making the right play at that time.”
Rodriguez could only give respect to Arcidiacono and the Wildcats.
“I feel like at the end of the day they outplayed us,” Rodriguez said. “Every loose ball, they got to it first. We seemed to make a comeback, but they just outplayed us.
At this time of the year I think whoever wants it more is going to win.”
Villanova coach Jay Wright was not surprised to see his senior leader take the game over.
“There’s just times when he starts doing it and getting going,” Wright said. “I think everybody on the team feels like thank God Arch is taking over.”
The Hurricanes could not overcome Villanova’s unconscious shooting. The Wildcats shot 63% from the field, 67% from three-point range and 95% from the line. Arcidiacono was joined in the barrage by Kris Jenkins who also netted 21 points, shot 8-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from three-point distance. One of his bombs was a 40-footer.
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