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NEW YORK — Some very good news for Villanova as it embarks on another NCAA Tournament.
Daniel Ochefu says he’s fine, and Wildcats coach Jay Wright said Ochefu will start Friday when Villanova opens play in the NCAA Tournament.
“I should be 100 percent,” Ochefu said. “I’m ready to go. I’m ready to give it my all as soon as I step on the court.”
The 6-foot-11 senior, Villanova’s only true big man, has been hobbled much of the last three weeks.
He played only 47 minutes in the three Big East Tournament games — less than 16 per game — and averaged just 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
A far cry from his previous averages of 10.8 and 8.1.
He has only eight baskets in his last five games.
Villanova, 29-5 and seeded No. 2 in the NCAA South Region, opens play with a 12:40 p.m. game against UNC Asheville Friday at the Barclay’s Center.
“My ankle's fine,” Ochefu said Thursday. “I've been getting a lot of treatment in with our trainer and staff. I rested a couple days, got back to practice (Wednesday), practiced (Thursday). I'm feeling good. I’m feeling like I'm ready to go.”
This isn’t how Ochefu envisioned his senior year. He missed three games in the middle of the season with a concussion and soon after he got back, he first injured his ankle. He’s tweaked it twice since.
“It's been very frustrating just because I want to be out there 100 percent, giving my all for the team,” he said. “But if I'm out there 75 percent, 80 percent, I'm going to give my best for the team.
“I know my teammates are ready to step up and fill the void if I'm hurt. I’m confident in my teammates' ability to step up if I'm not there. But I'm feeling really good about how my ankle is feeling and ready to get to work (Friday).”
Villanova held a walkthrough at the Barclay’s Center but had a real practice earlier in the day at St. Francis College.
Coach Jay Wright said he was encouraged by what he saw from Ochefu in what was his first full practice since before the Big East Tournament started.
“Today was his first full-look, 100 percent practice,” Wright said. “So I can say he's 100 percent good to go, no issues.
“He'll start. He'll play like normal. And that was our goal — try to get him to the Big East Tournament, not make that ankle any worse. Shut him down for a couple days.
“We shut him down Sunday, Monday, even Tuesday, we shut him down Tuesday. So today he looked really good.”
Ochefu is Villanova’s only player over 6-8. Darryl Reynolds has played well in the post when he’s had to, but he’s 6-8, 225.
When Ochefu is involved on both ends, it just makes Villanova a much better team.
“Definitely a blessing to have him out there,” Josh Hart said. “He looks good. The lateral (movement) part was the hardest part. It’s not as bad when you’re running straight north and south and jumping, but he was able to get out there (in practice) and guard iso’s and guard ball screens.
“To see him doing that is encouraging. We know he’s giving us everything he has and he’s ready to get out there and help us.”