September 22, 1998

Two non-league contests versus Penn State and Massachusetts, a trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, for the Top of the World Classic, and an always-tough Big East Conference slate highlight the 1998-99 Villanova mens basketball schedule, released today by Athletic Director Tim Hofferth.

After a home opener on Nov. 16 versus George Mason, the Wildcats will head to Alaska for the Top of the World Classic, held Nov. 19-22. Villanova will face Nebraska in the first round, with Wisconsin, Arkansas, Fairbanks, New Mexico State, Virginia, and Washington State also in the tournament. In other non-conference action, Villanova will face the Big Tens Penn State on Dec. 5, on the Nittany Lion campus, while the Wildcats will take on Atlantic 10 power Massachusetts on Dec. 15 in The Pavilion.

Other important non-league games include Big Five rival St. Josephs on Dec. 1 in The Palestra, and Pennsylvania on Feb. 23 in The Pavilion.

Villanovas Big East Conference schedule is highlighted with three games in the First Union Center in Philadelphia, versus Syracuse on Jan. 5, Notre Dame on Jan. 16, and Georgetown on Jan. 30. The Wildcats will open conference play on Dec. 91 at Seton Hall, and play defending Big East Champion Connecticut on Dec. 30, also on the road. In addition to Connecticut, Villanova will play Boston College, Georgetown and Pittsburgh only once this season.

All regular season games will air on WPHT Talk Radio 1210AM, with Ryan Fannon assuming play-by-play duties and Whitey Rigsby returning as color commentator for the Wildcats. Television will be announced at a later date.