University of Connecticut Athletics
MBB Journeys to Philadelphia for Showdown with No. 15 Villanova
1/17/2020 1:30:00โฏPM | Men's Basketball
STORRS, Conn. โ The UConn men's basketball team challenges its second consecutive nationally-ranked team as it journeys to Philadelphia to meet the #14/#15 Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center. The game is scheduled for a noon tipoff and will be televised on Fox Sports 1.
Game Information:
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UConn Game Notes: Game 17 - Villanova
Twitter: @UConnMBB
What to Know
- In 66 all-time meetings between the schools, Villanova holds a slim four-game margin in the win column (35-31). The Wildcats took last season's matchup, 81-58, back on Dec. 22 at Madison Square Garden.
- UConn (10-6 overall, 1-3 American), playing its final non-conference game of the 2019-20 regular season, is coming off an 89-86 double-overtime loss to Wichita State on Sunday at the XL Center in Hartford.
- The Huskies are led in scoring by senior Christian Vital (14.3), with four other players within a fraction of averaging double figures. Junior Josh Carlton is UConn's leading rebounder (6.9), while redshirt junior Alterique Gilbert hands out the most assists (4.8) and redshirt freshman Akok Akok is tops in blocked shots (2.88).
- Villanova (13-3 overall, 4-1 Big East) is coming off a 79-75 overtime win at home over DePaul on Tuesday. Soph Saddiq Bey is Villanova's top scorer (15.4) and freshman Jeremiah Robinson-Earl leads in rebounding (9.7).
Leading the Pack
Dan Hurley begins his second season as head coach of the UConn men's basketball team. Hurley became the 19th head coach in the history of UConn men's basketball on March 22, 2018. Prior to his hiring, he spent two seasons at Wagner College and six at the University of Rhode Island and owns a collegiate coaching record of 167- 122 (.578). Hurley made two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2016-17, 2017-18) and was named the 2017-18 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.
Next Up
UConn returns to American Athletic Conference play with a trip to AAC pre- season favorite Houston at the Fertitta Center on Thursday, Jan. 23. The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. tipoff and will be televised on ESPNU.
