Villanova, Pa. -

2016-17 Schedule

Intersectional clashes with Purdue, Notre Dame, and Virginia and another rugged 18-game BIG EAST Conference slate highlight the 2016-17 Villanova Men's Basketball schedule announced on Tuesday.

For the fourth consecutive campaign, every Villanova regular season game will air on national television, including a minimum of 21 appearances on the Fox family of networks (15 on FS1, five on Fox, and one on FS2).

The 2016 NCAA National Champions open the 2016-17 campaign at the Pavilion on Friday, Nov. 11 against Lafayette, coached by former Wildcats' standout Fran O'Hanlon. Three nights later, Villanova makes its first-ever visit to Purdue as part of the second annual Gavitt Tipoff Games. The Wildcats will then venture south to play three games at the Gildan Charleston Classic, opening play on Thursday, Nov. 17, against Western Michigan.

On Nov. 29, Villanova returns to action in the Philadelphia Big Five when it visits the Palestra to face Penn. The 'Cats also host Saint Joseph's (Dec. 3), return to the Palestra to meet La Salle (Dec. 6) and on Dec. 13 face Temple at the Pavilion as part of the historic "City Series". Also on the December calendar is a clash with former BIG EAST rival Notre Dame in the Never Forget Tribute Classic in Newark, N.J. on Dec. 10, a game that will be televised by CBS.

Villanova, which has claimed three consecutive BIG EAST regular season titles for the first time in program history, opens conference play at the Pavilion on Dec. 28 against DePaul. It then visits Creighton on Dec. 31.

The Wildcats host the first of four regular season games at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, Jan. 7, when Marquette will be in South Philadelphia (7:30 p.m.). Also appearing at the Center in 2016-17 are BIG EAST rivals Providence (Jan. 21) and St. John's (Feb. 4) along with the University of Virginia, which visits on Sunday, Jan.. 29 in a contest that will be broadcast on Fox television.

Also on the home calendar for Villanova are BIG EAST Pavilion dates with Xavier (Jan. 10); Seton Hall (Jan. 16); Georgetown (Feb. 7); Butler (Feb. 22) and Creighton (Feb. 25).

Villanova, which finished 35-5 on route to its second NCAA Tournament championship, will be led in '16-17 by a trio of seniors: Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins, and Darryl Reynolds.