Jan. 19, 2006

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VILLANOVA, Pa.-- Villanova Men's Basketball Game Notes for Saturday evening's game between No. 8/7 Villanova (12-2 Overall, 3-1 Big East) and No. 20/20 Syracuse (15-3 Overall, 3-1 Big East). Tip-off is slated for 6:05 p.m. at the Wachovia Center. The game will air on ESPN and is also being broadcast live on WNTP AM-990 and at www.villanova.com.

VILLANOVA MEN'S BASKETBALL TOP STORIES

Defense to the Rescue: Seton Hall used crisp passing and .607 shooting from the field to build a 41-35 advantage over Villanova on Tuesday night at the Pavilion. But the 'Cats turned the tables after intermission. Seton Hall connected on 8-of-26 (.308) from the field in the second half and forward Kelly Whitney, who converted six of his seven first half field goal tries, was held without a basket. VU took home a 73-64 win over Seton Hall, its fourth straight over the Pirates.

Polling Places: Villanova has been ranked in the top 10 every week thus far in 2005-06. The Wildcats began the campaign ranked at No. 4 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls before moving up to the No. 3 slot on Dec. 7. VU remained in that position through Jan. 16, when it fell to NO. 8 in the AP poll and No. 7 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll. The Wildcats entered the national polls on Jan. 24, 2005 and have remained there ever since.

Sold Out Center: For the second consecutive season Villanova will face Syracuse in front of a sold out audience at the Wachovia Center. Last season, 19,966 fans watched the Orange defeat the Wildcats 90-75. This marks the fourth time since Villanova began playing at the arena in 1996 that the 'Cats have played before a sellout crowd.

For complete game notes, click on the link at the top of this release.