Oct. 27, 2003

VILLANOVA, Pa. - With two recent victories over ranked teams and a strong month of October, Villanova this week moved into the national rankings for the first time since 1991. The Wildcats are ranked No. 25 in the Oct. 27 NSCAA/adidas poll along with the University of Michigan, University of Akron, University of Washington and University of Connecticut.

The Wildcats are presently 9-6-1 overall, 4-5-0 in the Big East Conference and are 8-3-1 over their last dozen games. The squad has already clinched its first winning regular season record since 1992.

Villanova is one five Big East teams ranked in the current NSCAA/adidas poll. St. John's is No. 5; Notre Dame - Villanova's opponent in its final Big East regular season game this Friday evening - is at No. 7; Virginia Tech is No. 23 and UConn joins Villanova in a tie at No. 25.

Ironically, the Wildcats were picked to finish last in the Big East in the league's preseason poll. Villanova enters play this weekend in search of points to bolster its hopes of advancing to the Big East Tournament for the first time since 1997.