Sept. 23, 2003
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Meetings with 2003 NCAA Finals participants Syracuse and Kansas highlight the 2003-04 Villanova men's basketball schedule announced today.
Villanova makes its first foray to Allen Field House at the University of Kansas on Jan. 2. The two schools have met only once before, in a 1968 National Invitation Tournament quarterfinal at Madison Square Garden (a game won by the Jayhawks, 55-49). This meeting will be televised nationally by ESPN.
The Big East Conference offers an imposing 16 game slate. Notre Dame visits the Wachovia Center on Jan. 10 to begin the Big East portion of the schedule and Connecticut is at the Center on Feb. 28. Villanova visits the Carrier Dome, home of the defending NCAA champion Syracuse Orangemen, on Feb. 23. ESPN will broadcast both the Syracuse and Connecticut matchups.
Villanova will also entertain intersectional rival Memphis at the Wachovia Center on Jan. 6. Memphis downed the 'Cats 72-68 last season in a tight battle at the Pyramid in the first clash between the two universities since the 1985 Final Four. This contest will air on ESPN2.
The Pavilion will play host to 10 regular season dates, including Big East games with National Invitation Tournament champion St. John's (Jan. 18); Rutgers (Jan. 28); West Virginia (Jan. 31); Providence (Feb. 11); Virginia Tech (Feb. 18) and Miami (March 2). Former Villanova assistant coach Joe Jones brings his new team, the Columbia Lions, to the Pavilion on Dec. 22.
In addition to its Big East slate, the Wildcats will again compete in the Philadelphia Big Five. Villanova and Temple kick off the 2003-04 regular season at the Liacouras Center at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 21. Meetings with La Salle (Dec. 6 at the Palestra); Pennsylvania (Dec. 9 at the Palestra); and Saint Joseph's (Feb. 2 at the Pavilion) are also on tap.
As announced earlier, Villanova will also receive an early test at the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Villanova faces Chaminade in a first round match-up on Nov. 24 and then meets either Hawaii or Santa Clara in the second round. The third round will take place on Nov. 26.
Villanova will make a minimum of six national television appearances in 2003-04. Regional television information and game times will be announced at a later date.
2003-04 VILLANOVA MEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Sat., Oct. 25: Villanova White / Blue Game
Wed., Nov. 12: Hoop Group (exh.)
Fri., Nov. 21: at Temple+
Sat., Nov. 22: at University of Redlands
Mon., Nov. 24: vs. Chaminade @ Maui Invitational
Tues., Nov. 25: vs. Hawaii/Santa Clara @ Maui Invitational
Wed., Nov. 26: Maui Invitational
Sat., Dec. 6: vs. La Salle+ (Big Five Classic)
Tues., Dec. 9: at Pennsylvania+
Fri., Dec. 12: Northeastern
Mon., Dec. 22: Columbia
Sun., Dec. 28: UNC-Greensboro
Fri., Jan. 2: at Kansas (ESPN)
Tue., Jan. 6: Memphis (Wachovia Center) ESPN2
Sat., Jan. 10: Notre Dame* (Wachovia Center)
Wed., Jan. 14: at Boston College*
Sun., Jan. 18: St. John's*
Wed., Jan. 21: at Providence*
Sun., Jan. 25: at Miami*
Wed., Jan. 28: Rutgers*
Sat., Jan. 31: West Virginia*
Mon., Feb. 2: Saint Joseph's+ (ESPN2)
Thu., Feb. 5: at Georgetown*
Wed., Feb. 11: Providence*
Sat., Feb. 14: at West Virginia*
Wed., Feb 18: Virginia Tech*
Sat., Feb. 21: at Seton Hall*
Mon., Feb. 23: at Syracuse* ( ESPN)
Sat., Feb. 28: Connecticut* (Wachovia Center) ESPN
Tues., Mar. 2: Miami*
Sat., Mar. 6: at Pittsburgh* (ABC)
Mar. 10-13: Big East Tournament (New York)
*denotes Big East Conference game
+denotes Philadelphia Big Five game
Home games played at the Pavilion, unless otherwise noted
