Yahoo Sports’ Krysten Peek spoke to the former Villanova head coach about the Huskies’ shot at back-to-back national championships, the heightened performances of players during March Madness, and so much more. Jay Wright joined Yahoo! Sports on behalf of Great Clips.
Video Transcript
KRYSTEN PEEK: I’m Krysten Peek here with former Villanova head Coach Jay Wright in partnership with Great Clips.
UConn is so tough this year. They’ve been atop the rankings for the majority of the season. Do they have what it takes to repeat?
JAY WRIGHT: I really think they do, Krysten. I think UConn, Purdue, and Houston have kind of separated themselves a little bit. I think the three of them are in a league of their own. I do think Tennessee, North Carolina, Arizona Kansas, Kentucky are just below that, could definitely get them. But those three, because of their experience, because of their depth.
Now Houston just did lose Joseph Tugler, their backup big man, which I think I want to see how they play through these tournaments early to see how it impacts them. But I think it’s going to be a bigger loss than might originally have been talked about.
But Connecticut has the depth. They’re a different team than last year. They’re a little more perimeter oriented. They’re a little bit, I think, better defensively. And I think they’ve got better shot making. And Tristen Newton has turned into a point guard that can dominate the game.
KRYSTEN PEEK: What is it about this stage that brings out the best in players?
JAY WRIGHT: You know, the great ones really do have an understanding for being on the big stage. And they really do take their games to another level. And you can’t teach someone that. And you don’t find out if they have it until you see them in those situations.
You know, I was blessed to have guys like Jalen Brunson. And even in ’16, in his freshman year, during the season he kind of struggled a little bit. He was a great freshman but there were certain things defensively he struggled with. But as a freshman when we got to the NCAA tournament, all of a sudden those defensive inadequacies went away and he played on another level.
And then you look at a guy like Dante DiVincenzo that never started for us. He never was a starter. I don’t know. I can’t remember, it was like 35 points in a national championship game coming off the bench. But put him on that stage and he’s going to go to another level.
There are certain guys, and they’re the great ones, that really can do that. And you can’t teach them that. They either have it or they don’t.
KRYSTEN PEEK: You’re here with Great Clips as part of Wrights and Wrongs March Madness campaign. Can you tell us a bit more about your different role this year off the court?
JAY WRIGHT: We’re trying to educate people on how to prepare for the NCAA tournament the right way and the wrong way. So the right way to prepare is get a nice clean cut. I got a nice cut from Great Clips. And look fresh and clean for the tournament.
And the second way to prepare for the tournament is go to Great Clips sweepstakes, which you can get on your mobile app, and you can sign up to win two free tickets to next year’s Final Four, either the Men’s Final Four or the Women’s Final Four, all expenses paid. Just go to your Great Clips app and you can sign up there.
KRYSTEN PEEK: All right. Well, Jay, thank you so much for the time and enjoy the tournament this year with Great Clips.
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