News

Villanova Wildcats Experience Mental Toll From Life In ‘Bubbleville’

The Villanova Wildcats experienced staying in Connecticut “Bubbleville” at the Mohegan Sun resort casino for a week. Coach Jay Wright said that the experience took a mental toll on the players throughout the week.

The Wildcats are currently ranked 12th and there are no worries about any physical challenges on their players. The team was in a good shape after their 87-53 win over the Hartford Hawks. The win propelled the team to three wins and one loss so far.

However, the concern that Wright had is the mental challenge it presents to the players. While the teams stayed in the bubble for a week, they were locked in their rooms and only coming out to eat, play basketball, getting tested for coronavirus, and for walking outside as a group.

Wright said, “The rooms, the security, the food was great. It was run extremely professional. But you’re inside from Monday (Nov. 23) to Tuesday (Dec. 1). I just really learned the mental impact that has on young guys, especially when they thought they were going to leave twice.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Brandon Slater, a junior forward was asked what they did for fun there, he said, “Really, we’ve been focused on watching film and spending time with our teammates and coaches and building a bond so that when we’re not playing that we understand that we’re still a group, we’re still together and we’re trying to become a better team.”

Wright explained that nobody was allowed to leave their rooms without a security escort. The guards prevented any teams from crossing one another to avoid any mingling. Despite this, it gave the team a sense of security there. Any teams that arrived in the “bubbleville” were tested every day and isolated to prevent any players from getting coronavirus.

It was this sense of security that made him confident at the chance of playing against fellow residents, Virginia Tech and Hartford. This came as an opportunity when their games in Philadelphia against Saint Joseph’s and Temple were cancelled because of positive coronavirus tests.

Another positive experience was that the team was now familiar playing and staying in a “bubble.” Wright expects the NCAA Tournament to be held in a “bubble” as well. So, his team will know what to expect.

Allan Perez

Recent Posts

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

10 hours ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

1 day ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

1 day ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago