Return to Alamodome brings back fond memories for Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo

SAN ANTONIO — It’s been nearly five years since Donte DiVincenzo led Villanova to the 2018 NCAA Championship title in the Alamodome, knocking off a Michigan squad that featured Jordan Poole in the process.

DiVincenzo and Poole returned to the scene this week along with the rest of the Warriors, who are set to make history Friday evening when they play the San Antonio Spurs in front of what’s anticipated to be a record-setting crowd in honor of the Spurs’ 50th season. More than 63,000 tickets have been sold, and with a healthy standing-room-only crowd expected the attendance could reach nearly 68,000.

It made for a timely opportunity for DiVincenzo to relish and reminisce on that title game, while also having some fun at the expense of his former foe and now teammate.

“Every time the coaches asked if we played here or not, I just always say, ‘Ask Jordan,’” DiVincenzo said.

The jokes didn’t stop there. DiVincenzo knew exactly what he was doing when he turned to Poole and posed a question in the Warriors’ locker room ahead of Thursday’s practice.

“I actually already knew the answer,” DiVincenzo said. “I was like, ‘Did y’all stay in this locker room?’ And he was like, ‘Man, I ain’t talking to you today.’”

DiVincenzo believes that title game put him on the map for that year’s NBA draft. He gave the spectators a show against the Wolverines, winking at broadcasters, dribbling behind his back and knocking down five 3s.

By the time he was done, DiVincenzo scored 31 points, the most by a player off the bench in a Final Four game ever, to go with his five rebounds, three assists and two blocks as he led the Wildcats to a title, sending Poole’s team back home empty handed.

DiVincenzo couldn’t recall specific interactions with Poole during the game.

“I was worried about shooting too much than playing defense,” he said.

DiVincenzo finished 10-for-15 from the field and 5-for-7 from 3-point land. It was no question that his flashy performance was enough to earn him the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. It also got him on the NBA team’s radar ahead of the combine.

A feeling of nostalgia overcame DiVincenzo when he walked down the hallway toward the court, which was positioned at the center of the dome’s gigantic open floor to maximize seating. Afterall, he said, the run through the tunnel to get to the court was one of his favorite memories.

“Everything was super cool,” DiVincenzo recalled. “When we were walking out here, JP and I were both walking out here and we were both saying the same thing about how… the run is so long and you’re super tired when you get to the court. But it’s something that both of us definitely remember.”

Target practice

Stephen Curry said it doesn’t take too long as a shooter to recalibrate to the vastly larger arena, though he acknowledged the depth perception can be off at first.

The Warriors got some work in Thursday to help them get used to sight lines and get acquainted with the unique setup.

“It’s a little different than I expected,’ Curry said.

Curry, like several other Warriors players, has past experience playing in a dome-like setting. He played at Ford Field during Davidson College’s Elite 8 run in 2008.

Despite having played at the Alamodome for three seasons during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, coach Steve Kerr didn’t have much advice for his players. The setup this time around is different. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, when the Spurs called the Alamodome home, the court was positioned in the corner and there was a curtain and bleachers.

“This is pretty unique,” Kerr said. That’s why he felt practice was necessary.

“We just wanted them to get a lot of shots up and feel the arena, feel the backdrop and get used to it for” Friday, he said.