4 on the floor: a preseason injury has forced Villanova to use a four-guard attack. But playing small ball is no big deal when you have the best backcourt in the country

Villanova has big expectations this season. Well, maybe big isn't the right word. Not for a team that starts four guards, the tallest of whom is 6-4.

"That's all we've got right now," says senior guard Allan Ray.

Other teams would love to have the Wildcats' backcourt talent, but Ray is right: Villanova is ranked third in the nation and off to its best start in 10 years, but going this small never was the master plan. That plan was torn up along with star forward Curtis Sumpter's ACL in October. At that point, coach Jay Wright's best lineup became guard Randy Foye (6-4) as a forward alongside guards Ray (6-2), Mike Nardi (6-2) and Kyle Lowry (6-1). That combination provides great speed and shooting and solid decision making. It allows Villanova to spread the floor and makes it difficult for opponents to key on one outside shooter. The Wildcats play a fun, fast-paced game, particularly when they press.

"A lot of guards are one-dimensional," says Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson, whose Sooners lost to Villanova in early December. "They can do a lot of things."

Playing four guards at once presents challenges, of course. With 6-8 forward Will Sheridan the only starter with the size to fit a frontcourt position, Villanova gives up height to just about every team. The Wildcats mix up defenses to keep opponents out of rhythm, but being short hurts on the boards. There's also potential for the Wildcats to wear down physcially in the rugged Big East.

The Wildcats need significant contributions from backup forward Jason Fraser and Sheridan. For Fraser, that means staying healthy for the first time in his college career. Wright also will work in freshman Dante Cunningham (6-9) and senior Chris Charles (7-0) and hopes they can become important contributors.

Against Oklahoma, Wright often used a more conventional lineup that included Fraser (6-9) and Sheridan to match up against the Sooners' frontcourt. That could happen more often as Villanova starts conference play.

"They won't go as far as their guards can take them," says Sampson. "They'll go as far as the input they get from Fraser and Sheridan."

Maybe so, but without good play from their guards, they won't go anywhere.

1 PG Kyle Lowry, 6-1 sophomore

Nardi on Lowry: "He's kind of a smaller version of Randy. He seems to have taken on that role of rebounding for us, guarding bigger guards, really pushing the ball up in transition, getting to the rim, making contact. He can guard a lot of people. He sticks his nose in everything. He's not scared."

Ray on Lowry: "He's just an energy guy. Right now he's playing point guard. He's distributing the ball. He's one of those smart players also. If somebody's keyed on me or Mike, he recognizes that and finds a way to score. That's what's great about him."

Foye on Lowry: "He's tough, tough as nails. He's willing to take the ball in against the big men. He's willing to rebound against 6-11 guys.... We talk to him a lot. He always listens. He became like a sponge."

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2 SG Mike Nardi, 6-2 junior

Lowry on Nardi: "For Mike to be a two-year starter at point guard and move to two guard and do what coach tells him to do--shoot 3s--it's amazing. He rebounds, plays defense. I know he's always out there pumping (up) everybody. He's the Energizer Bunny. If you watch him at the front of our press, he never stops moving, running or jumping."

Ray on Nardi: "He's another outside shooter. If I'm out of a game, Mike can take the 3. Mike is also tough on the defensive end. A lot of guys might see him in the game and try to take advantage of him because he's a little short white guy, but Mike is tough as nails."

Foye on Nardi: "Floor leader. Great shooter. He brings great intensity. He's heady, a hard worker. He's always in the right spot. He's out there doing all the little things."

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3 SG Allan Ray, 6-2 senior

Lowry on Ray: "He's transformed his game from being a stand-still shooter to being a defensive threat, a rebounder, a passer. Coach wants him to be a shooter, but he wanted to be more. He worked on playing defense every possession for 40 minutes, not just shooting 3s but rebounding and playing hard. If you see Allan Ray, who's one of the most prolific shooters I've ever seen in my life, when you see him and the things he does on the defensive end, you just want to do those same things. You say, 'I'm going to push myself to do those same things'."

Nardi on Ray: "One of the best shooters in the country, day in and day out. There's a couple who come to my mind, but Allan Ray is definitely one of the best. He's gotten so much better on the defensive end and as a complete player. He's always keeping the team together, keeping the good attitude."

Foye on Ray: "Great shooter, great leader, always willing to help, always willing to give up his body to help his teammates, take charges, rebound."