From a (long) distance, one could say that Villanova phoned in the end of the 2002-03 season. That'd be a wrong number.

Yes, it's true that Villanova lost its last six games. And it's also true that in their last three games, the Wildcats had only seven players in uniform as a result of an internal inquiry involving misuse of a telephone access code. But the Wildcats never phoned in anything.

With senior scoring and rebounding leaders Gary Buchanan and Ricky Wright in street clothes on the bench, the remaining Wildcats played Pittsburgh to a 56-54 loss. Then Georgetown barely outlasted Villanova, 46-41, in the Big East Tournament. And then the young Cats led Siena at halftime of their NIT game before falling 74-59.

Every player Jay Wright had available in those three games returns for the upcoming season. And while he hated going through the scandal, Wright liked what came out of it.

"I liked the way our guys played those games," Wright said. "They showed me something. They showed the toughness we want our teams to exhibit, and then they showed a lack of experience in knowing how to put teams away. We're definitely going to learn from it."

FRONTCOURT

There are two reasons to think Villanova's frontcourt will be among the best in the Big East -- health and experience. Sophomores Jason Fraser and Curtis Sumpter are the two biggest examples.

Fraser struggled through an inconsistent freshman season, averaging 7.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.25 blocks per game while suffering from severe tendinitis in both knees. In the offseason, doctors shaved growths on his kneecaps, and Fraser should be a force in the middle this season.

"He was never healthy as a freshman," Wright saids. "He has the biggest opportunity to make a huge jump this season."

Expect a breakout season for Sumpter, too. Sumpter, who can play either forward position, led Villanova in rebounding in four of the last five games. He scored 23 points in the NIT loss to Siena, which was just the second time all season he led the Wildcats in scoring.

Three years ago, Marcus Austin lost most of his senior year in high school to mononucleosis. Then he added weight. Now, finally healthy, he has a chance to shine. If he doesn't take advantage, Will Sheridan, who looks more like a defensive end than a forward, could step into a starting job.

The return of 7-foot center Chris Charles, who sat out last season as a redshirt, means Fraser might see some time at power forward.

BACKCOURT

The most significant loss for Villanova will be shooting guard Gary Buchanan, who led the Wildcats in scoring and finished second in the Big East in 3-point shooting.

However, Wright has plenty of backcourt options. Derrick Snowden returns at the point. He's battled turnover problems throughout his career, but now he must play like a senior since he's the only one on the roster.

Allan Ray and Randy Foye, two more talents in 'Nova's stacked sophomore class, will battle for playing time next to Snowden. If Foye cuts down his turnovers, he could play the point, too. Both need to improve their 3-point shooting to make up for the loss of Buchanan.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Despite a lineup that featured four freshmen in the nine-man rotation, Villanova got off to a 12-5 start last season. Then the Wildcats fell victim to their inexperience. Of their next eight losses, six were on the road. Then came the suspensions and the final three games.

The Wildcats were also 3-7 in games decided by five points or fewer or in overtime.

This season, Villanova claws back. Buchanan led the Wildcats in scoring, but a freshman was Villanova's leading scorer in 13 out of 31 games last season.

"Last year was probably more of a transition year than our first year," said Wright, who is entering his third year at Villanova. "We never meshed perfectly. We were always tinkering. I feel good about this group."

Wright's group has the talent to end the school's NCAA Tournament drought at four years. But the Wildcats still have some issues. Can Fraser emerge as an All-Big East caliber player on the inside? Will they get more efficient play at point guard? Can they learn how to win the close games?

If the answers to those three questions are yes, yes and yes, then Villanova is likely to hear its name called on Selection Sunday.

If not, Wright can expect a call later that night from the NIT.

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