Soft Pretzel Logic

In the end, the result is all that matters. So for the Eagles game-worthy media contingent at the Pavillion today, the first conclusion that has to be drawn is that Villanova beat Pittsburgh, 64-63. In theory, everything else matters a lot less.

But it sure took the Wildcats' offense a long time to get going, and it was sure hard to digest seeing 'Nova get out-rebounded at both ends of the floor. The Panthers got 18 offensive rebounds to the Wildcats' 15 and 25 defensive boards to 16 on offense for Villanova.

Obviously,Pitt makes almost all of its games into slugfests no matter the opposition, and particularly so for Villanova. As has been the case a few times in recent years, this game came down to who would have the bigger day: Villanova's guards or Pitt's big men.

It would certainly have been different if Levance Fields wasn't injured, but Wildcats fans should really be giving thanks for Malcolm Grant's 22 points right now -- and the fact that what looked like a really serious injury late in the game was nothing more than cramps according to Jay Wright.

Grant's biggest contribution came at the end of the first half, when he scored eight points in three possessions to help bring Villanova back from four points down and take a lead for the first time in what felt like forever. In order, Grant hit three free throws on one trip, a three-pointer that came off a sweet crossover dribble on the next and and a layup on the last one

He then followed it up with a dish to Antonio Peña that was slammed in for a dunk, giving Villanova its biggest lead of the game to that point at 30-27.

After the game, Jay Wright gave Grant some serious props, calling him the "heart and soul" of the team. I have to admit that I was quite surprised by that comment, because I sure thought that role belonged to Scottie Reynolds.

Wright was asked about his remark later on in his postgame press conference, and acknowledged the magnitude of what he said about Grant.

"I don't want you to think I'm that crazy that I wouldn't go to Scottie Reynolds," Wright said. "Malcolm had been playing great and he'd done it before, so I said let's just go with it."

To hear the full exchange, click here and listen to the full Villanova postgame press conference. You can also listen to Pitt coach Jamie Dixon and Panthers freshman center DeJuan Blair.

Blair is an absolute stud. He's been getting some hype already this year but he's only going to get more as the season goes on. The 6-foot-7, 265-point Pittsburgh native is a tank of a player, and Villanova unsurprisingly had no real answer for him inside today.

But Blair has some moves, too. I counted seven times in the game where he either made a nice pass, spun around to hit a layup or worked his way inside and got in position for a putback.

In the end, it is Blair who most deserves a Line of the Day, because he filled his scoreline like no one else on the floor this afternoon: