VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova opens its 2019-20 regular season Tuesday night when Army makes its first ever appearance at the Finneran Pavilion. FS1 (Scott Graham and Bill Raftery) will have the national television broadcast beginning at 8:30 p.m. while the Villanova radio broadcast can be found in the Delaware Valley via 610 ESPN and everywhere on the TuneIn app (Ryan Fannon and Whitey Rigsby).
 
"it's always exciting to get the season going," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright.
 
A highlight of the opening night festivities will be "Military Appreciation Night".

Villanova is partnering with Operation Yellow Ribbon to conduct a military care package collection drive. Fans can bring items (see list at link below) and include a handwritten letter to go with the items when they are shipped to military members overseas. Please visit http://www.operationyellowribbon.org/donate-care-package-items/ for a list of recommended items.
 
Operation Yellow Ribbon is a non-profit organization benefiting the United States Military Forces serving in the Middle East including Iraq, Afghanistan, and those supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. This organization shows its support through the collection, organization, and sending of supplies to troops overseas, and by coordinating and facilitating welcome home events for local veterans in the Delaware Valley. For more information, visit www.operationyellowribbon.org.
 
Game Details
• First 3500 fans will receive co-branded blue camo slap bracelets courtesy of Key Bank.
 
• Through Key Bank and Villanova, Military Service Men and Women will serve as honorary captains for the game and watch warmups from the team bench and stand with the Villanova Cheer and Dance team to hold the American flag during the National Anthem.
 
• Villanova Basketball student-athletes will wear special edition military appreciation shooting shirts during warmups.
 
• The National Anthem will be performed by Retired Navy Petty Officer, 1st Class Generald Wilson. Petty Officer Wilson performed the National Anthem before the Villanova/UNC National Championship game in 2016 in Houston, Texas.
 
• Former Marine Corps Captain and 2017 graduate of the Villanova EMBA program, James O'Flaherty, will deliver the official game ball prior to tipoff to the to the lead referee.
 
• The Military Salute of the Game pres. by Honda, which recognizes and honors America's bravest heroes, will take place in the second half and be followed by the Villanova Band performing God Bless America. Villanova Partnering with Operation Hat Trick Villanova is partnering with Operation Hat Trick on co-branded military appreciation apparel. Operation Hat Trick is dedicated to helping service men and women recover from the trauma and wounds of war by paying for care and services that government programs and conventional organizations do not cover. To purchase your own OHT gear, visit https://shop.villanova.com/c-6367.

The 2019-20 season – Villanova's 100^th college basketball campaign – is presented by Hartford Funds and Coca-Cola.