Rollie Massimino has Spectrum of memories from his time at Villanova

ONLY TWO PLAYERS on Northwood's basketball team had been born when its only coach, Rollie Massimino, took Villanova on that ever-enduring national title run in 1985.

But he tells them all the stories. Many of which involve the Spectrum, the Wildcats' home away from their Fieldhouse (and later the Pavilion). They played there four times in the championship season, including two-point losses to both Georgetown and St. John's.

Tomorrow night, he's giving the Seahawks their first look, and quite likely their last, at the building, which is scheduled to be razed on an as-yet-unspecified date. Well, at least most of them. The 3-year-old NAIA program does have three players from Philadelphia or South Jersey - Cardinal Dougherty's DeSean White, Episcopal Academy's Ron Frazier and Ocean City's Trey Severs. For the rest, well, the stories will probably seem more real after they line up against No. 25 Villanova in an exhibition opener.

A year ago, Jay Wright's team went to West Palm Beach, Fla., to christen Northwood's new facility, the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center.

"It's a great experience for these young kids," said Massimino, who's also playing against his good friend Gary Williams and Maryland on Saturday. "That was a tremendous building, it really was.

"People asked, 'Are you playing at the Cathouse? Or the Wachovia Center?' I said, 'No, we're going to the Spectrum.'

"We're coming up [today]. We'll go practice there. Then I'm taking them to Pat's Steaks."

Got to have your priorities.

Speaking of which . . .

Much of Massimino's family, and many of his former players at Villanova, including most of the ones who paraded through center-city Philly on that April day over a quarter-century ago, will be in the house.

"I've been back to Villanova so many times, but being a part of it is very special," he explained. "Jay's been wonderful, giving us this opportunity. It's fun. When I stop having fun, you know what I mean, that's when I'm giving it up.

"I want my kids to see what you have to do to succeed at that level."

Two years ago, the Seahawks went 23-9, and made the NAIA national tournament. Last season, they were 27-8 and made it to the quarterfinals.