This was back in December, right after Villanova had put the final touches on its 88-72 victory over Gonzaga at the Garden, when Wildcats head coach Jay Wright was asked if Mikal Bridges’ 28-point, six-rebound, two block performance would sufficiently serve as the junior’s national Coming Out Party.
It was the first season, after all, in which Bridges could finally step out of the rather daunting shadows cast by former Wildcats stars Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins. Wright pondered the question for a moment and then delivered his answer.
“That’s usually how stuff happens. You’re on a national stage and you have a great game and people start talking about you and following you,” Wright said.