Villanova University

Jan. 12, 2008

The Nova Notebook, by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan, appears weekly beginning in September through February with monthly updates in the off-season featuring the men's basketball program. This week we visit with freshman guard Malcolm Grant, one of the heroes of the Jan. 6 victory over then-No. 13 Pittsburgh at the Pavilion.

COVINGTON, Ky. - In a restaurant overlooking the Ohio River and the city of Cincinnati, where Villanova would meet the University of Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday Jan. 12, two long tables are filled with members of the Villanova Wildcats. The team has just landed at the Greater Cincinnati Airport and is now enjoying some lunch before an evening practice at Fifth Third Arena.

As one peers down the long table, it is hard not to notice a tall glass of water near freshman guard Malcolm Grant.

"I'm trying to drink a lot of water," says Grant, who suffered from intense cramping due to dehydration near the end of an otherwise scintillating 22-point effort in a 64-63 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. "They tell me I need to do that and drink more Gatorade. I'll do whatever I can to avoid that happening again."

The pain was such that Grant had trouble getting to his feet after having his number called by the coaching staff in the waning moments and the Wildcats trailing 63-62. When he finally managed to do so, he was forced to watch from the sidelines as Villanova executed the play that earned junior Dante Cunningham a pair of free throws that he ultimately sank and the final defensive stop that gave it a hard-earned win. It also caused him to spend more than a hour after the game receiving intravenous fluids.

"Oh my," Grant says in recalling those moments. "I was so nervous because that's happened to me before and I have ended up in the hospital. I thought I would have to go again."

Fortunately, there was no visit to the medical center. Grant rested and within 48 hours was back on the practice court with his teammates, preparing for a BIG EAST schedule that is about to shift into overdrive. Villanova plays four of its next six games in the month of January away from home, starting with this battle with a Cincinnati club that already owns league wins over Louisville and Syracuse.

Grant's 22-point explosion in the win over Pitt wasn't the only time he's had a major impact in a Wildcat game. Few who were in the Wachovia Center will soon forget his 18-point burst in the final nine minutes that sparked a rally from a 21-point deficit against LSU in December. In November, he gave Villanova a major lift that allowed it to get past George Mason in the semifinals of the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla.

There has been no shortage of congratulatory messages, phone calls and words from friends and family of late. Grant's theatrics and exuberant personality have energized the Nova Nation, particularly in the packed Pavilion on the first weekend of January.

"People have been coming up to me and telling me things like, `great game' or `keep it going' and I really appreciate that," says the product of Brooklyn (N.Y.) Paul Robeson High School and Winchendon (Mass.) Academy. "I try to stay humble about it. This time it was me but it could have been any one of my teammates."

Villanova head coach Jay Wright has, on several instances, sought the proper words to define the impact Grant's energy and commitment have had on the 2007-08 Wildcats. He has spoken glowingly of his heart and willingness to put the team ahead of himself.

For his part, Grant is very much enjoying his Villanova Basketball Experience one semester into his career.

"It's just been a wonderful experience," Grant says. "I have the opportunity to be at a great university and be a part of this Villanova family. We have tradition here and we are trying to maintain that."

Like many freshmen, Grant has been through peaks and valleys in the season's first half. There have been nights when the shots have not dropped or the minutes not fallen his way. Yet he averages 8.4 ppg and his affect internally exceeds those raw numbers.

Now, like classmates Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes, Grant is getting his first real taste of BIG EAST basketball.

"It's different from what we saw in the pre-season," he says. "There were times in those games when you might not pay the price if you made a mistake. But in the BIG EAST if you make a mistake, these teams will make you pay for it. It's so physical and you have to be prepared for that. You have to take care of your body so you can be ready every time you go out there."

Grant has also noticed how much home court advantage means.

"It was packed when we played Pitt," he recalls. "People were so loud and that can be hard on opposing teams. It's tough on the road at this level. You aren't used to the rims and the crowds are really into it. That's why we have to keep getting better, especially on defense."

As a guest on this week's "Talking Villanova Basketball with Jay Wright" radio program, Grant mentioned his hopes of following in the steps of former `Cat guard Kyle Lowry at the defensive end. It was a sentiment Wright wholeheartedly endorsed.

"From what I saw, Kyle was able to take on anyone at the defensive end," he says. "It didn't matter whether they were 6-1 or 6-10, he was up to the challenge. That's where I would like to get to some day. I have made some improvements but I have a long way to go."

A current Villanova guard also inspires Grant.

"Scottie (Reynolds) has taught me a lot," he states. "If we make a mistake in practice, he is always there to explain what we did wrong. He's very patient with all of us young guys."

If his scoring theatrics have captured the attention of the public, Grant has no issue with that. It is not, however, what motivates him.

"Even if you have success, you can't get bigheaded," he states. "I talk to my family all the time and they help remind me about what's important. I don't worry about the headlines or what people may say about how I'm playing. I want to help my team. That's all I am concerned about."

With that, Grant politely thanks the interviewer and heads for the elevators in the hotel lobby. No doubt there is a healthy sized-bottle of Gatorade awaiting him in his room.