Dec. 22, 2005

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VILLANOVA, Pa.-- Men's Basketball Game Notes for Thursday night's game between Villanova (7-0, 1-0 Big Five) and La Salle (7-0, 0-0 Big Five). Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from The Pavilion.

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Villanova has opened the season with seven consecutive victories for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign. The Wildcats have not begun the season with eight straight wins since 1977-78.

Including its six victories in 2005-06, the Wildcats are 19-7 (.731) all-time when ranked in the top five of the AP poll. Prior to its most recent stint, Villanova last appeared in the top five during the 1995-96 season. The Wildcats moved up to the No. 3 spot in both polls on Dec 12. The last time the Wildcats were ranked this high in the AP poll came on Dec. 11, 1995, when they were No. 2.

In the early going Villanova has made a habit of gaining an early advantage and maintaining it. It has held the lead for 256:36 of the 280 minutes played thus far in 2005-06.

No Villanova opponent has proven more problematic for the Wildcats at the Pavilion since its opening on Feb. 1, 1986 than La Salle. The Explorers are 5-1 (.833) lifetime in the Pavilion, including a 61-58 overtime win here in their last visit on Nov. 27, 2001. Villanova is 83-15 (.847) all-time against non-conference foes in the building and five of those setbacks have come at the hands of La Salle.

Click on the link at the top of this release to access complete game notes.