VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova returns to the Wells Fargo Center Saturday to host No. 19 Creighton at noon. The Bluejays (20-8 overall, 12-5 BIG EAST) rallied in the final 30 seconds to post a 66-61 win in Omaha in the first meeting between these squads on Feb. 4. VU had grabbed a 61-60 lead with 34 seconds left on an Eric Dixon 3-pointer.
 
Saturday's game will be televised on the Fox network (Fox 29 in Philadelphia) with Tim Brando and Nick Bahe calling the action. The Villanova Sports Network broadcast on the IHeart Radio app, features Ryan Fannon and Whitey Rigsby (Sirius XM channel 380). Westwood One will also air its radio broadcast nationally as well (Scott Graham and Jon Crispin).
 
As part of Black History Month, Saturday's game will also honor the Black Fives Foundation, a nonprofit public charity hose mission is to research, preserve, showcase, teach and honor the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball. This is part of a BIG EAST Conference initiative that has been celebrated at a home game this month by league members.
 
From 1904, when basketball was first introduced to African Americans on a wide scale organized basis, through the racial integration of all-White professional leagues in the 1950's, Black Fives squads flourished on the amateur, semi-professional and professional levels in cities like New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Chicago, as well as in other locations with substantial African American populations. 
 
"The BIG EAST Conference is honored to continue our partnership with the Black Fives Foundation this season," said BIG EAST Commissioner, Val Ackerman. "Our role as educators, our basketball-centric identity and our commitment to diversity and inclusion combine to provide the perfect platform for us to assist the Foundation in furthering their mission. We look forward to amplifying the stories of the pioneers who made history in our school communities and celebrating their enduring impact on the game of basketball."
 
The men and women of the Black Fives Era opened doors for generations of African American players and coaches while staging culturally rich, socially meaningful events that strengthened and inspired Black communities in the face of Jim Crow oppression.
 
The teams will be wearing shooting shirts with the Black Fives mantra "Make History Now". Coaches will wear "Make History Now" pins and fans will be educated through videos and other game time promotions on the relevance and importance of the Black Fives.
 
"We are excited about partnering with the BIG EAST Conference again this season," said Claude Johnson, Executive Director of the Black Fives Foundation. "This partnership provides an ideal opportunity for us to tell the stories of the players and teams whose contributions helped shape the sport of basketball we know and love today. Bringing greater awareness to this history will be especially meaningful with a conference like the BIG EAST whose member schools are among the finest academic institutions in the world."
 
For more information on the Black Fives Foundation, fans can visit www.bigeast.com/blackfives or follow on Twitter and Instagram at @BIGEAST.
 
On the court, the Wildcats (14-14 overall, 8-9 BIG EAST) hope to build on the momentum of Tuesday's pulsating 64-63 victory at No. 16 Xavier. Justin Moore connected on 10-of-13 from the field on his way to a season-high 25 points and the Wildcats' received key contributions off the bench from Mark Armstrong (five points, + 12); Jordan Longino (five points, four rebounds and a steal); and Chris Arcidiacono (three rebounds, three steals, +8).
 
"I thought Jordan, with his size and ability to guard anyone was really effective," stated VU head coach Kyle Neptune. "The same with Mark – his speed and athleticism is really formidable. I had a good vantage point on his blocked shot at the end and it really looked to me like he eclipsed the rim. It's impressive that he can do things like that in small spaces.
 
"Chris was unbelievable as well. He was just flying around and really knew our scouting report. He had those three steals and took a couple of charges as well. He really made a dent on the game."