'Personal issue' could sideline Villanova's King

Taylor King did not play in Villanova's overtime loss to West Virginia in Saturday's regular-season finale at the Wachovia Center.

And he might not play Thursday, when the fourth-seeded Wildcats play an opponent to be determined in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament in New York.

"He's going through a little personal issue right now," said coach Jay Wright, whose 24-6 team - having lost four of its last six - dropped a spot in the rankings to a season-low No. 10. "I think we'll probably in the next day or so make a decision on what we're going to do."

King, a 6-6 sophomore forward, sat out last season after transferring from Duke. He's averaged 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20 minutes a game off the bench. And even though he's struggled with his shot lately, the lefty has continued to contribute in just about every other way, not the least of which has been just hustling and getting on the floor after loose balls. Never a bad thing.

"It's a personal issue," King said. "It was coach's decision not to play me last game. It's day-to-day right now. I'm going to travel with the team, do everything with the team. It's all good . . .

"I'm fine. I'm not in trouble. Me and the team are good. Me and coach are good. Things are going on with me that I need to take care of."

Is he concerned this will be a distraction?

"Absolutely not," he insisted.

Wright stressed that King has not broken any team or university rules.

"It's just a little teaching point we're trying to make, and we'll keep it within the family," he explained. "He'll definitely be with us. It's just a matter of whether we're going to play him.

"It's one of those things, when you deal with college kids, you want them to learn to do things the right way. I want him to learn a lesson here. It's important for . . . I wish it wasn't happening at this time of year, but I think it's necessary for his growth, and our team."