’Nova alum Arcidiacono soaks in an emotional return
RADNOR » Ryan Arcidiacono received more than his share of standing ovations throughout his career at Villanova.
Few, however, could top the rousing ovation he got at halftime of Villanova’s Big East showdown with Marquette Wednesday night at the Pavilion.
“I told myself that I wasn’t going to get emotional,” Arcidiacono said. “I got a little emotional, though, because this university and the fans and having all of my family and friends here, this means the world to me. I can’t remember all the ovations I’ve gotten, but I was just happy that we were able to win the national championship as a team and I can’t wait to see how many of my teammates are going to be honored, just as I was tonight.”
The Wildcats great and current Chicago Bulls guard was back in town to have his jersey retired in front of a loudly appreciative crowd. They gave him a standing ovation as he strolled out onto the court with his right hand raised and his index and middle fingers flashing a V.
“Never in a million years did I think that I would have my jersey retired,” Arcidiacono
said as he addressed the crowd after receiving a plaque with his No. 15 on it from Villanova athletic director Mark Jackson.
The ceremony was part of the centennial celebration for Villanova basketball. Arcidiacono is the 23rd player in program history to have his jersey retired. Villanova does not often retire actual uniform numbers. Hall of Famer Paul Arizin, who wore No. 11 during his career, is the only Villanova player to receive that honor.
Arcidiacono graduated in 2016 as one of the greatest players in program history. The Wildcats went 117-27 during his time on the Main Line. He started in 143 of those 144 games. He also was a four-year captain, national champion (2016), Big East coPlayer of the Year (2015) and the only player to score more than 1,500 points (1,604, 22nd all time) and hand out more than 500 assists (535, fourthbest) in a career.
Villanova’s fortunes began to change when Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu arrived on campus in 2012. Behind Arcidiacono’s grit and hardnosed style, the Wildcats bounced back from a 13-19 record to go 20-14 and reach the NCAA tournament after a one-year absence. Over the next three seasons Arcidiacono guided the Wildcats to a 97-13 record, three Big East regular-season crowns and one Big East tournament title, and he capped his career with a 77-74 victory over North Carolina in the 2016 NCAA championship game.
Arcidiacono’s final assist came when he set up a trailing Kris Jenkins for the winning 3-pointer as time expired against UNC. Part of that floor, including the spot where Jenkins launched his winning shot, was incorporated into the renovation of the Pavilion in 2016.
“This is my first time back in the Pavilion, and man, it’s beautiful,” Arcidiacono said. “The environment, the energy, the lights, you can see that it’s one of the best places in college basketball to play. This was just a special, special night.”
••• Arcidiacono was the third Villanova player to have his jersey retired this season. Jim Washington (No. 50) and Allan Ray (No. 14) had their jerseys retired during halftime of Villanova’s 56-55 victory over then No. 1 Kansas at the Pavilion on Dec. 21. He won’t be the last.
Six-time all-star, Olympic and NBA champion Kyle Lowry will have his jersey (No. 1) retired when the Wildcats host St. John’s at the Pavilion on Feb. 26. The 6-1 guard played two years for the Wildcats (2004-06) before entering the NBA Draft, where he was selected by the
Memphis Grizzlies with the 24th pick in the first round.
Lowry was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a three-team deal in 2009 and then sent to the Toronto in 2012, where he has been ever since. He helped the Raptors to their first NBA title last season. He has averaged 14.7 points and 6.7 assists in 14 seasons in the NBA.
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NOTES » Sunday’s game against Temple at the Liacouras Center for the Big 5 title is sold out. Villanova is going for its sixth outright city series crown in the last seven years and 11th since 2004-05. … The Temple game is the first of a threegame road trip for the Wildcats, who visit DePaul next Wednesday and then travel to Xavier on Feb. 22. The Wildcats come back to play their final two home games against St. John’s (Feb. 26) and Providence (Feb. 29).