Villanova University

July 21, 2009

The Nova Notebook, by director of media relations Mike Sheridan, checks in with guard Corey Fisher, fresh from his stint with Team USA at the 2009 World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia.

To the infrequent traveler far from home, the pangs can come at nearly any point. The yearning for a meal like those they know at home can grip even the most tested person abroad. As the days pass, the notion of grabbing something familiar, even at the expense of calories, often becomes a lure.

In the summer of 2001 the Villanova Wildcats took a break from the culinary treats of Italy to dine on fast food after winning their opening game on a summer European tour. And in 2005, Randy Foye recalled skipping meals in Greece until he found a recognizable American name across a restaurant's marquee.

Corey Fisher concedes that, while he was content to eat properly while in Belgrade, Serbia for nine days earlier this month, there was a moment when he contemplated giving into temptation. The team, coached by Wisconsin's Bo Ryan, decided to stop at McDonald's to offer the group a little taste of home.

"Don't tell my strength coach Lon (Record)," he says with a smile, "but I wanted to eat the whole menu."

Record need not fret. The hours the two spent together over the past 18 months that helped reshape Fisher's body, and, ultimately, his game, were not comprised by a fast food spree. Fisher stayed true to the lessons he has learned at Villanova and in the process helped the United States claim a bronze medal at the World University Games. And if not for one disputed foul call in the waning seconds against Russia, it could have been a gold medal.

Fisher was the only American player to start as many as four of the team's seven games and averaged 21.0 minutes per outing on what was a group of the nation's top collegians (another group of collegians competed in U19 championships and earned a gold medal). He averaged 8.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest and was a team leader from the point guard position.

"When I went out to Colorado Springs for the trials the big thing I wanted to do was represent our university and our basketball family," he says. "It wasn't even so much about making the team. I wanted to play Villanova Basketball and let things fall into place from there."

Of course, last season Fisher took a major step in establishing his own bonafides as a sophomore. After spending most of the pre-conference schedule in the starting lineup, he willingly embraced a supporting role and earned recognition as the BIG EAST's Sixth Man of the Year. In the end, he was an integral part of a group that delivered Villanova back to the Final Four. Fisher and friends will be together again on Tuesday, July 21, to be recognized by the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs.

Fisher's willingness to get his hands dirty - on defense, on the glass, in the trenches - endeared him to the USA Basketball committee selecting the squad and Ryan, a Chester, Pa., native whose Badger teams have made defensive grit one of their trademarks. He made the club and emerged as an on-court floor general.

"We had about a week to work out together and get to know one another," he says. "That helps you learn about your teammates."

By the time the flight left for Europe, Fisher had developed a comfort left with his summertime teammates. It wasn't long after the club landed that Fisher discovered firsthand what Wright had talked about after leading the USA in the 2005 World University Games and the 2007 Pan American Games.

"People like to root against the USA," he states.

The competitor in Fisher relished the atmosphere. The crowds were into the action and there was plenty of noise, enough to remind the former St. Patrick's (N.J.) High School star of February nights on the road in the BIG EAST.

"It was a great atmosphere," he says. "The one thing I kept telling my teammates was that we needed to keep a great attitude even if the fans were against us."

The World University Games would seem to suggest all competitors were in the age range of American college students but that wasn't necessarily so. There were athletes in their mid-20's and any number of them have already begun their professional careers.

That didn't trouble Fisher either.

"It's like over here," he says. "In college you can be a freshman playing against a senior or you can play against guys who are 23 or 24. You just have to play hard and together."

The Americans were ready when play began reeling off five consecutive victories to reach the semifinals against Russia. For several seconds, it appeared that Fisher's clutch 3-pointer as the clock wound down would give Team USA the win. But an offensive foul was called underneath against Trevor Booker and the basket was wiped off the boards.

Though it won't change an outcome he wishes could have been different, Fisher still returned to the United States with the knowledge that he made that kind of clutch shot in a most hostile setting.

In the consolation game, the U.S. rebounded with a 91-80 victory over Israel to pick up the bronze medal.

"It was a great experience," Fisher states. "It was a business trip for us but we got to see a nice country and represent our country."

He's now back working with his teammates at the Davis Center while finishing up summer classes. In early August he'll head back to the Bronx for some down time before returning to Villanova for the start of the fall semester and the third chapter of his career as a Wildcat.

"We had great leaders last year with Dante (Cunningham), Dwayne (Anderson) and Shane (Clark)," he says. "Now it's on guys like Scottie, Reggie, Stokes, Tone (Antonio Pena) and me to be leaders. Me being a junior, it's something I have to take seriously and I do.

"You can't worry about what people on the outside are saying about us. Last year, who was picking us to go to the Final Four? We just have to get better every day so that we're the best team we can be at the end of the year."

Like most summer travelers, Fisher enjoyed his time away. He returns refreshed and more cognizant than ever of what he has cooking on the home front.

"When you go overseas you get an appreciation for what we have in the US," he states. "I'm glad I was able to represent my country and my university."

NOTABLE - Head coach Jay Wright, his staff and the bulk of the roster which delivered Villanova the East Regional title will be on hand tonight at Citizens Bank Park for the pre-game ceremony. A 3-minute highlight tape will be shown and one of the Wildcats is slated to toss out the ceremonial first pitch, weather permitting.