Villanova returns to action on Friday afternoon when the Butler Bulldogs visit the Finneran Pavilion for a BIG EAST contest. The Wildcats enter play 11-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play, while Butler is 1-15 overall and 0-7 in league action. Tip-off is set for noon.
 
Villanova enters play on Friday having won six straight home games. After losing the first two home contests of the season, the Wildcats have gone on to win the last six at the Finneran Pavilion to improve to 6-2 in home games.  
 
After starting the season 3-5, Villanova has won eight of its last nine to improve to 11-6 on the year. A big reason for the Wildcats 3-5 start was due in large part to the absence of junior forward Maddy Siegrist who missed six games with an injury. In those six contests, Villanova registered a 3-3 mark.  The Wildcats are 8-3 with Siegrist in the line-up this year.
 
Villanova had its way with Butler in both meetings last season. The Wildcats tallied a 90-53 win at Butler on Jan. 31, 2021 and earned a 98-74 home win on Feb. 16, 2021. In the two games combined, Villanova was 66-of-125 (.528) from the field and 31-of-69 from three-point range (.449).
 
For her efforts in two games last weekend, Siegrist earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. In the two wins over Providence and Creighton, Siegrist averaged 28.0 points per game and 11.0 rebounds per contest, while shooting .529 from the field (18-of-34) and .545 from three-point range (6-of-11).
 
For the third time this year and 11th time in her career, Siegrist registered a 30-point game in Sunday's win over Creighton. In 38 minutes of action, Siegrist had 31 points and 12 rebounds. The 31 points came on 8-of-15 shooting (3-of-4 from three) and a 12-of-14 effort from the foul line.
 
Following Friday's game, Villanova's next game is set for Sunday, Jan. 30 against Xavier. Tip-off at the Finneran Pavilion is set for 2 p.m.