Dec. 28, 2005

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VILLANOVA, Pa.-- Villanova Men's Basketball Game Notes for Saturday afternoon's game between No. 3 Villanova (8-0, 2-0 Big Five) and Temple (6-3, 1-0 Big Five). Tip-off will be at 4:00 p.m. from The Palestra, and the game will be televised live on CN-8.

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With its victory last week against La Salle, Villanova extended its string of wins to open the campaign to eight. It's the first time since 1977-78 that the Wildcats have opened the season with that many wins in a row. Villanova has not opened the campaign with nine straight wins since 1961-62 when coach Jack Kraft's first team reeled off 12 straight victories to open the season.

Including its six victories in 2005-06, the Wildcats are 20-7 (.741) 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.

La Salle scored the first seven points against Villanova last week, marking one of the few times this season the `Cats have stared up at a deficit. Villanova was behind for 5:14 of the first half before rallying. VU has held the lead for 291:32 of the 320 minutes played thus far in 2005-06.

This marks the Wildcats final contest of the 2005 calendar year. Villanova opens the Big East portion of its schedule on Thursday night when it visits Louisville at 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.