Feb. 1, 2008

Complete Game Notes

VILLANOVA, Pa.-- The Wachovia Center will be the setting on Saturday when Villanova (13-6, 3-5 Big East) meets Syracuse (15-7, 5-4 Big East) for a nationally-televised game on ESPN. Tip-off is slated for Noon. The Wildcats defeated the Orange earlier this season by an 81-71 score at the Carrier Dome on January 19. Villanova will be looking to earn its second win over Syracuse of the season as well as snap a three-game losing streak. Click on the link at the top of this release to access complete game notes. Some top storylines for the Wildcats entering Saturday's game are below.

TOP STORIES

Scottie Reynolds bounced back from a pair of subpar shooting efforts in strong style at Pittsburgh. The native of Herndon, Va., dropped in 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. He also added six rebounds and four assists. In 52 career games, Reynolds has topped the 20-point plateau 18 times, including eight times in 2007-08.

The battle of the boards has often proved telling for Villanova in 2007-08. It was so again on Wednesday night as Pitt held a 43-32 edge over the Wildcats on the glass. VU is 10-2 (.833) this season when it outrebounds its opponents and 3-4 (.428) when it does not.

A crowd of 19,989 was at the Wachovia Center last Saturday for the Wildcats' date with Notre Dame. Since the start of the 2005-06 campaign, Villanova has averaged 19,140 in attendance when it hosts games at the Center in South Philadelphia. Villanova has two more dates at the Wachovia Center this season after today. Connecticut visits on Feb. 23 and Marquette is here on Feb. 25.

There will be a quick turnaround for the Wildcats following today's game. Next up is VU's final Philadelphia Big Five battle of 2007-08, when it faces Saint Joseph's at the Palestra on Monday (8:00 p.m./CSTV).