VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats and USC Trojans will play a charity exhibition game to support relief efforts for California wildfire victims on Friday, Oct. 18 in Los Angeles. A game time will be announced at a later date.
 
This game at the Galen Center will raise funds to support relief efforts for California wildfire victims and first responders. All proceeds will be donated to the California Fire Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides financial and emotional assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared the California Wildfires a Major Disaster on November 12, 2018.
 
"This is a unique opportunity for our program to help raise funds for a great cause," stated Wildcats head coach Jay Wright. "California has the fourth highest in-state total of Villanova alumni and this is an awesome way for us to connect with that community while preparing for the season against an outstanding USC team."
 
The Wildcats' last visit to Southern California came in December 2015 during its NCAA national championship season. The team staged an open practice in Los Angeles on its way to Hawaii where it played Oklahoma on the 74^th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. 
 
Villanova finished the 2018-19 campaign with a 26-10 record, claiming the BIG EAST regular season and Tournament championships. The Wildcats' roster features three returning starters – Saddiq Bey, Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels – but no scholarship seniors.
 
The complete Villanova Men's Basketball schedule, including media coverage, will be announced in September.