Wright has Villanova back in NCAAs after absence

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Jay Wright has had one of his best coaching jobs in 12 years at Villanova.

He took a team coming off a 19-loss season and led them to a 20-13 record, with four wins over Top 25 teams and a spot in the 68-team NCAA tournament field. The ninth-seeded Wildcats play No. 8 North Carolina on Friday in the second round.

The questions were plenty after last season. Villanova, with all of its tradition and history, went home without a tournament appearance for the first time since 2004. It was a dark time on the Main Line.

Led by Ryan Arcidiacono, JayVaughn Pinkston and Darrun Hilliard, the Wildcats have proved they are back where they belong: Playing in March.