In the Spotlight: Dominic Cheek

School: Villanova

Class: Sophomore

Postion: Guard

Height/weight: 6-6, 185

Hometown: Jersey City, N.J.

High School: St. Anthony's, Jersey City, N.J.

Stats: 4.9 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, 13.5 minutes

Career highlights: Had a career-best 17 points in his return to the state of New Jersey in a 94-68 win at Rutgers on Jan. 20 . . . Had career-high seven rebounds in 75-68 loss to St. Mary's in second round of NCAA Tournament.

What they are saying: "He's probably the guy that struggled the most last year, as a freshman, just in terms of dealing with everything. But he's probably learned the most, with not starting for the first time, not being the go-to guy, just playing in short stints in games, having to practice hard every day, everything that goes with being a freshman. He's also probably made the most improvement in the offseason. He's shooting the ball a lot better, he's very coachable, he can be one of our best perimeter defenders and he's a great offensive rebounder and scorer . . . He can become our X-factor." - Jay Wright

What he's saying: "I had all this hype coming into college, and I let that get to me a little too much. Then I realized everybody's an All-America, they're bigger and stronger. I had to adjust to the next level. Over the summer, I got in the gym every day and focused on getting better, and becoming a team player. I think my role is the same as everybody else's. Just go in and play hard when they need me, and do whatever it is the coaches want. That's Villanova basketball."

Something you don't know about him: When he was in middle school, baseball was his game. Then a police officer noticed him and introduced him to hoops. Not long afterward, he had a successful tryout with the local AAU team. And the rest . . .