Feb. 20, 2006
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Following its wins over Connecticut and Georgetown last week, Villanova moved up to second in both of the national polls that were released on Monday. The Wildcats garnered the number two spot in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls.
Last week the Wildcats hosted then #1 Connecticut and dealt the Huskies their second loss of the season by a 69-64 score at the Wachovia Center. Then on Sunday, Villanova welcomed #17 Georgetown to the Pavilion and defeated the Hoyas 75-65. The wins improved the Wildcats record to 21-2 on the season and put them in sole possession of first place in the Big East with an 11-1 conference record.
Villanova received 1,700 points and three first-place votes in the Associated Press poll to match their highest-ever ranking. Duke moved back into the top spot and had 1,789 points (64 first-place votes), while Connecticut was third with 1,655 points (four first-place votes).
In the ESPN/USA Today poll, the Wildcats earned 730 points, compared with 770 for top-ranked Duke. Villanova was ahead of Memphis (706) and Connecticut (700) in that poll. The Wildcats had been ranked first in the ESPN/USA Today poll on three previous occasions, but never by the Associated Press.
The Wildcats return to action with two games this week, both on the road. Villanova will visit Cincinnati on Thursday night for a 9 p.m. contest, and then head to Storrs, Connecticut to play the Huskies at Gampel Pavilion on Sunday at Noon.
NOTES: Villanova was previously ranked #2 in the Associated Press poll in back-to-back polls on December 4 and December 11, 1995 ... The Wildcats are one of just six teams to win a national championship but never be ranked #1 by the Associated Press ... The others are California, City College of New York, Louisville, Maryland and University of Texas-El Paso ... Other honors came in for the team after their successful week ... Villanova was chosen as the Team of the Week in the Weekly Watch on ESPN.com ... In addition, ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale chose the Wildcats as his Team of the Week.
