Oct. 23, 2014

VILLANOVA, Pa. - A pair of basketball events this weekend will help Villanova Basketball kick off the 2014-15 campaign in style at the Pavilion.

On Friday night, Villanova hosts its annual basketball party in a packed Pavilion. The men's and women's basketball teams will be introduced to the crowd and there will be a special acknowledgement of the men's 2014 BIG EAST regular season championship. The Villanova Wildcats No. 5 ranked football team will also be on hand, ahead of their home date Saturday afternoon with Morgan State at Villanova Stadium (3:30 p.m.).

Then, on Saturday evening, the Wildcats' men's team will host the annual "Blue/White" Scrimmage 30 minutes after the conclusion of the football game (approximately 7 p.m.). Wildcat players will be available at an autograph session at the conclusion of the scrimmage. The event is open to the public and admission is free.

These events are part of "Homecoming 2014" at Villanova.

"Hoops Mania" has become one of the top events of its kind over the last decade and has featured the likes of 50 Cent, Drake and Nicki Minaj as musical performers. Dunk and dance contests are part of the festivities as is a short scrimmage. Notable basketball alumni are also expected to attend.

The Villanova men's team welcomes four starters back from its 2013-14 BIG EAST title team that established a new program record for regular season victories (28).

The Wildcats' women's squad also returns four starters from a unit that recorded 23 victories in 2013-14.