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There are guards, and there are Villanova guards--at least in the thinking of coach Jay Wright, who seeks a particular prototype in his backcourt recruits.

"A Villanova guard can handle the basketball, shoot, pass and make plays for himself and his teammates," says Wright. "You're only effective if you're tough defensively and able to play against bigger (players)."

This season, Villanova guards have been particularly effective driving the lane, forcing defenders to collapse down low and leave a Wildcat open on the perimeter. Villanova's guards also can score on the drive or pull up and hit from the outside instead of making the move to the basket. Versatility is the mark of Wright's prototype 'Nova guard--and three of them start each game.

When everyone is healthy, the starters are Allan Ray, Randy Foye and Mike Nardi. Nardi missed some time at the end of the regular season with a sprained ankle, but freshman Kyle Lowry is a capable fill-in. The Wildcats have to watch out for matchup problems against taller lineups. Boston College forward Jared Dudley, who is 6-7, took advantage of a favorable matchup and scored 36 points in the Eagles' 1-point win over Villanova on January 19. But the Wildcats were able to hold Dudley to 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting in a February rematch, winning 76-70.

The difference between Villanova winning and losing in the tournament will come down to whether its guards exploit other teams--or get exploited.

"Villanova has been able to beat Kansas and beat BC because they play three guards," says Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun. "Anyone who controls the ball has a chance to win.... In the NCAA Tournament, the team that controls the ball the best wins, and guards control the ball. Guard play dominates without question."

TSNumber BLOCK PARTY 5.9

Villanova's blocked shots per game, which ranks in the top 10 nationally. The Wildcats might use a three-guard lineup, but they're no pushovers inside with Curtis Sumpter and Jason Fraser.

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