Villanova faces UNC in Final Four

#11 Villanova (30-7) vs. #2 North Carolina (32-4)
8:47 p.m., 4 April 2009 at Ford Field.

TV: CBS

Line: UNC -7.5

Game day has arrived.

One week ago, Scottie Reynolds secured his place in history with a buzzer-beater to defeat Pittsburgh and send Villanova to the Final Four.

It's been a fun week, looking forward to this game, Villanova's first Final Four since the 1985 championship season.

North Carolina. In the Final Four. If there were polls this week, the Tarheels would surely be ranked number one in the nation. Villanova would be in the top five.

It does not get bigger than this.

We already talked about the history between these two teams from 2005.

We know Vegas likes Carolina by 7.5 points, and KenPom predicts a 4-point margin, with a 66 percent chance of victory for UNC.

We've listed the keys to the game, what Villanova needs to do to pull off the upset.

All that's left to do is predict the final score.

Check out the other Villanova blogs linked at right for their previews, and then try to predict the game's final score in the comment thread below.

The winner of this game will take on the winner of UConn and Michigan St. in the national championship game on Monday. Holy crap.

Villanova duels Pitt for Final Four trip

#11 Villanova (29-7) vs. #4 Pitt (31-4)
7:05 p.m., 28 March 2009 at the TD Banknorth Garden.

TV: CBS

Line: Pitt -2

Villanova clashes with a very familiar opponent today in Boston for a Final Four berth.

The top-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers have won 31 games, and were ranked #4 in the country in the last AP poll. But Villanova beat Pitt last time, and that was before the Wildcats began to look like a top-5 team during their recent tournament run.

There's not much to write about this game that hasn't already been said. Villanova and Pittsburgh are both tough, defense-oriented teams with penchants for physical play.

Unlike its last three games against American, UCLA, and Duke, Villanova will probably be at a disadvantage on the interior tonight, facing Big East player of the year Dejuan Blair.

The Wildcats will have to make up for Pitt's edge down low by using their superior scoring guards and athletic running game. A key player tonight will be Dwayne Anderson, and his ability to score whether or not his three-point shot is falling.

Corey Fisher will need to get to the rim, even if Blair is patrolling the key. Scottie Reynolds will need to bear some of the Wildcat scoring load. Dante Cunningham will have probably the toughest task of all, containing Blair on one end and scoring on the other.

Pittsburgh is a tall order and a legitimate top-5 team nationwide, but the Wildcats are arguably the hottest team in the NCAA tournament. While the Panthers have largely struggled their way to the Elite 8, Villanova has absolutely demolished its last two opponents, with slaughters of ranked UCLA and Duke.

KenPom predicts a 2-point victory for the Panthers, giving Villanova a 40 percent chance for the win.

Oddsmakers installed Pitt as a 2.5 favorite on Friday, but the line has dropped to 2 points as of Saturday afternoon.

Check out the other Villanova blogs linked at right for their previews, and then try to predict the game's final score in the comment thread below.

The winner of this game will take on the winner of North Carolina and Oklahoma in Detroit's national semifinal next Saturday.

Villanova to battle Duke in Sweet 16

#11 Villanova (28-7) vs. #6 Duke (30-6)
9:57 p.m., 26 March 2009 at the TD Banknorth Garden.

TV: CBS

Line: Duke -2.5

Villanova returns to the Sweet 16 this year with a game against the Duke Blue Devils in Boston.

The game, scheduled for 9:57 p.m., is the last of the four match-ups tonight and will be the featured game by CBS.

In an ESPN poll today, 54 percent of voters listed the Villanova-Duke game as the match-up they most want to see tonight.

Villanova-Duke is also the closest handicapped by oddsmakers of the four games tonight. Pitt-Xavier (7), UConn-Purdue (6.5), and Memphis-Missouri (4.5) all see the higher seed favored by significantly more than Duke's 2.5-point spread over Villanova.

The Wildcats will try to use their penetrating backcourt and athletic forwards to out-hustle and out-muscle the well-coached Blue Devils.

Duke plays a run-and-gun, perimeter-oriented game, and the Devils love to score in transition, especially by pulling up for a three.

Villanova will have to stay at home on defense to limit Duke's triple opportunities. On offense, the 'Cats would do well to test Duke's interior with dribble penetration and posting up Dante Cunningham.

KenPom favors Duke by 3 points in this neutral-court match-up, giving Villanova a 41 percent chance at victory.

Check out the other Villanova blogs linked at right for their previews, and then try to predict the game's final score in the comment thread below.

The winner of this game will face either Pittsburgh or Xavier on Saturday for a trip to the Final Four.

'Nova, UCLA to clash in round 2

#11 Villanova (27-7) vs. #18 UCLA (26-8)
1:05 p.m., 21 March 2009 at the Wachovia Center

TV: CBS

Line: Villanova -2

Villanova returns to the Wachovia Center this afternoon to face UCLA for the right to go to the Sweet 16.

UCLA has been to three consecutive Final Fours, but the Bruins appear to be a bit weaker this year, earning just a 6-seed and beating an upstart VCU by a single point on Thursday.

Despite those chinks in UCLA's armor, the Bruins will be an extremely difficult out. UCLA point guard Darren Collison is a force on both offense and defense, and he figures to be the best player on the Wachovia Center court on Saturday.

Senior Josh Shipp has also been to three Final Fours, and is as athletic as they come at shooting guard.

UCLA also has one of the most talented freshman guards in the country, Jrue Holiday. Holiday excels on defense and is one of the best and quickest on-ball defenders in the nation.

This game will be one of the few times the guard-laden Wildcats actually have a disadvantage in the backcourt. Villanova has the chance to make up for that with their athletic scoring forwards, Dwayne Anderson and Dante Cunningham.

Oddsmakers have installed Villanova as 2-point favorites, largely, one would think, because of the home-court advantage. UCLA might actually have been favored on a neutral court.

Indeed, KenPom favors UCLA by one point even after factoring the home-court edge to the Wildcats. KenPom gives Villanova a 45 percent chance at victory.

Check out the other Villanova blogs linked at right for their previews, and then try to predict the game's final score in the comment thread below.

The winner of this game earns a trip to Boston next week to face the winner of Duke/Texas in the Sweet 16.

Villanova faces American in tourney opener

#11 Villanova (26-7) vs. American (24-7)
7:20 p.m., 19 March 2009 at the Wachovia Center

TV: CBS

Line: Villanova -17

After a full season of resume building, RPI watching, bubble debating, seed calculating, and bracket plotting; of wishing, hoping, thinking, praying, planning, and dreaming, the NCAA tournament is finally here.

Villanova, a 3-seed in the East region, draws the best possible geographic assignment for tonight's game against the 14th-seeded American Eagles.

The Wildcats need only take a short bus ride down 476-south and I-95, three-quarters an hour at most, to reach their first-weekend tournament site at the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia.

Villanova has already played the NCAA-maximum three games here this season, and will try to make it an even five this weekend before potentially advancing to Boston.

American University itself has a relatively short trip from Washington, DC, and will try to pull off the upset.

The Eagles feature a senior-laden team that pushed 2-seed Tennessee to the edge of elimination for 35 minutes last year.

American's biggest weapon is a pair of sub-6-foot guards, Garrison Carr and Derrick Mercer, who each typically play 90 percent or more of available minutes. Stopping these quick guards will be the main focus of Villanova's celebrated back-court of Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, Reggie Redding, and Corey Stokes.

The Eagles have another pair of major contributors, two 6-8 forwards: Brian Gilmore and Stephen Lumpkins. Gilmore, in particular, is dangerous on offense. Dante Cunningham, Antonio Pena, Dwayne Anderson, and Shane Clark will look to shut those two down.

Villanova will be favored in every possible way: talent, experience, home-court, seeding, and expectations.

American will have nothing to lose, everything to gain, and the relevant memory of staying right with Tennessee for 88 percent of its tournament game last year.

Oddsmakers favor Villanova by 17, which I think is a tad high, even for a pseudo home game. It is the NCAA tournament, after all, and American has lost just seven games all year. The Eagles are also winners of 13 in a row, one of the nation's longer win streaks.

Of course, the best win on the season for American was a road victory against Jacksonville four months ago, so Villanova really should be in the driver's seat.

Stats oracle KenPom predicts a 12-point Villanova victory, with a 90 percent chance for a Wildcats win.

Take a look at more previews than you can shake a stick at!

• VBTN
• IBBW
• VUhoops 1 and 2!
• Nova News
• Villanova Viewpoint 1, 2, and 3!

If Villanova is able to come away with the win, the Wildcats will face the winner of tonight's UCLA/VCU game on Saturday afternoon, also at the Wachovia Center.

Try to predict the game's final score in the comment section below.

Best and worse cases for Villanova

Every March, Let's Go Nova's favorite college basketball writer Pat Forde pens his best and worst cases column, where he outlines the wildest dreams and worst nightmares for all 64 NCAA tournament teams.

Forde hit the nail on the head for Villanova last year, when his best-case scenario of Villanova beating Clemson and Siena before losing in the Sweet 16 came true to the letter.

This year, he sets the bar a little higher. According to Forde, the dream 'Nova run ends as national runner-up:

Best Case: Under-the-radar Big East power flexes its muscles, pounding American and VCU while taking advantage of absurdly friendly Philadelphia draw. The Wildcats wear down Duke and then beat Pitt for the second time this season to reach their first Final Four since winning the whole thing with the Perfect Game in 1985. Dante Cunningham finishes off NBA audition by averaging 20 and 10 on the way to Detroit, where Jay Wright looks flawless as the Wildcats beat North Carolina and then lose to Louisville for the third time this season in the final.

I think that scenario is a tad generous, even as the best case. Just getting to the Final Four would be a dream come true for this 'Nova team, and I am not sure the Wildcats could defeat the UNC juggernaut even in my wildest dreams. But, you never know, especially with Ty Lawson's toe on paparazzi watch all March.

Villanova's worst case is exactly the scenario I dread will happen -- a second-round loss to an excellent UCLA team:

Worst Case: Nova is slowed down and taken out in the second round by UCLA, but that's only the beginning. Turns out Wright was doing his own NBA audition and takes a job in The Association. Guard Reynolds bugs out after his junior season for the pros as well. Rollie Massimino agitates to get his old job back. Even worse, so does Steve Lappas.

Exactly my fear, although as regular readers of this column surely know, I would not mind having Lappas or Rollie back over Jay Wright!

Let's hope that Forde makes it two years in a row for his best-case scenario coming true for Villanova.

What are you best and worse cases? Does anyone think we could actually lose to American? And who is dreaming even higher than Forde, wishing for a national title?

Villanova faces Louisville in Big East semifinal

#10 Villanova (26-6) vs. #5 Marquette (26-5)
7 p.m., 13 March 2009 at Madison Square Garden

TV: ESPN

Line: Louisville -4.5

Villanova survived its scare with Marquette on Thursday to advance to the Big East tournament semifinal, where it will face the top-seeded Louisville Cardinals.

While the Wildcats needed a buzzer-beating Dwayne Anderson layup on a broken play to get past Marquette, Louisville had a much easier time with the Providence Friars in Thursday's early game.

With Oklahoma losing on Thursday, Louisville will have that much more motivation to advance to the BET finals and earn a one-seed in the NCAA tournament. Pitt and UConn are both out, so Louisville has a chance to argue that it finished ahead of both of those likely one-seeds in the regular season and the championship tournament.

Villanova needs to keep winning for a shot at a 2-seed, though the Wildcats are most likely now assured of a 3-line and the Philadelphia date that will probably accompany it.

Take a look at the other five 'Nova blogs linked at right for their previews, and then come back into our comment section to predict the final score.

Live blog for Providence tonight

#11 Villanova (24-6) vs. Providence (18-11)
7 p.m., 5 March 2009 at the Pavilion.

TV: ESPN2

Line: Villanova -10.5

Join Let's Go Nova tonight at 7 p.m. for a special regular-season finale LIVE BLOG.

Fire up your fake usernames and outlandish comments, Let's Go Nova nation, as it is time once again for a very special live weblog tonight. We begin at 7 p.m., so don't forget to get here early with your comments, questions, opinions, and pleas for me to permanently stop blogging, forever.

Villanova closes out its regular season with a Pavilion game against the Providence Friars.

Providence might be the quintessential NCAA tournament bubble team. It's got a decent resume, but it's probably not in the field of 65 yet. The Friars might need to do a bit more work to really feel comfortable on selection night, and they still have the Big East tournament after tonight to do it.

The Friars, thus, could lose tonight and still dance, so they might not be as desperate as the Wildcats' last opponent, Notre Dame. But many bracketologists think Providence could lock up a spot with a premium win at Villanova tonight.

The game is equally important for Villanova, which now controls its own destiny for the coveted double-bye in the Big East tournament. With a victory tonight, the Wildcats earn themselves an extra day off next week and an automatic seed into the conference quarterfinals in New York.

VIllanova also has more important NCAA seeding issues to consider. The Wildcats must stay on the #3 seed line in order to get a good chance at playing in Philadelphia on the first weekend. With a win tonight and a 1-1 performance in the conference tournament, Villanova should hold up on the #3-line.

One month ago, Villanova won a close decision at Providence, 94-91.

For tonight, KenPom predicts a 14-point Villanova margin, with an 87 percent chance of victory.

Take a look at the other five 'Nova blogs linked at right for their previews, and then come back into our comment section to predict the final score of the last regular season.

See you at 7.

Villanova visits desperate Notre Dame

#11 Villanova (23-6) at Notre Dame (16-12)
7:00 p.m., 2 March 2009 at the Joyce Center.

TV: ESPN

Line: Notre Dame -3.5


The Wildcats travel to South Bend, Indiana today to play a very desperate Notre Dame team whose NCAA tournament chances are teetering on the brink of the abyss.

Villanova, once among the hottest teams in the nation, opens the week in a bit of a slump, after losing two of its last five games and surviving close calls with cellar-dwellers DePaul and Rutgers.

Notre Dame will be fired up, and the Irish will come ready to play. Hopefully, Villanova will also feel the urgency after losing at home to Georgetown on Saturday.

The Irish, who lost to Connecticut on Saturday, have good wins over Texas, Louisville, Providence, and Georgetown. Conventional wisdom says Notre Dame must win its final two regular season games, against Villanova and St. John's, to finish 9-9 in conference and have a decent chance at an at-large NCAA bid.

Needless to say, this is the biggest game of the season for Notre Dame, because if the Irish are able to beat Villanova, it not only enables them to finish .500 in the Big East, it also puts one more premium win under their belt for consideration in a very tight NCAA bubble.

KenPom predicts a two-point Irish win, with a 43 percent chance of victory for Villanova.

Check out the previews on the other 'Nova blogs (linked in the right sidebar), and then predict the game's final score in the comments below.

Villanova faces slumping G'town

#10 Villanova (23-5) vs. Georgetown (14-12)
12:00 p.m., 28 February 2009 at the Wachovia Center.

TV: ESPN

Line: Villanova -5.5

Villanova faces what may be its most unusual opponent of the season Saturday afternoon with a game against the mysterious Georgetown Hoyas.

Georgetown comes into Philadelphia having dropped nine of its last 11 games, but none of these have been terrible losses. The Hoyas boast wins over two likely #1 seeds, with victories over UConn and Memphis, and a solid win over NCAA-bound Syracuse.

Georgetown has also beaten two NCAA bubble teams, Providence, and Maryland.

Despite all the good wins, Georgetown is not even in bubble consideration for the NCAA tournament, thanks to its recent losing ways. Georgetown has won just two of its last 11 games, beating Big East doormats Rutgers and South Florida.

None of the losses were that bad individually, but when taken in context of one another, they probably will spell N-I-T unless the Hoyas can make a ridiculous run in the Big East tournament, a la Syracuse in 2006.

KenPom predicts a four-point Villanova win, with a 68 percent chance of victory.

Check out the previews on the other 'Nova blogs (linked in the right sidebar), and then predict the game's final score in the comments below.

Villanova visits winless DePaul

#10 Villanova (22-5) at Depaul (8-19)
8:00 p.m., 25 February 2009 at Allstate Arena.

TV: WPHL or online stream at Justin.tv

Line: DePaul +13


Villanova takes its #10 ranking on the road tonight for a Big East game against the winless DePaul Blue Demons. DePaul finds itself with a 0-14 conference record despite having some decent talent.

Though Villanova is heavily favored, the game should not be taken lightly. DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright finds his job teetering on the brink, and he will have his team fired up as it looks for its first conference win.

DePaul has also enjoyed some success against Villanova, winning two of its last four against the usually favored Wildcats.

The Blue Demons have some great young talent, including the scoring machine Dar Tucker.

Villanova needs to win out to stay in the driver's seat for a #3 NCAA tournament seed an an all-important spot in Philadelphia for the first two rounds.

Check out previews from all the right places:

• I Bleed Blue and White
• VUhoops
• Nova News

Villanova by the Numbers and the Viewpoint are not up with their previews (yet?), so check back.

KenPom predicts a 16-point Villanova victory, and a 93 percent chance for a 'Nova win. I don't think it will be that much of a blowout, but Villanova should be able to take care of business tonight in Rosemont.

You can predict the final score in the comment section below. Your prize: unending glory, your name carved into this very Web site in bold face.

Villanova heads to Syracuse for rematch

#12 Villanova (21-5) at #24 Syracuse (19-7)
1:00 p.m., 22 February 2009 at the Carrier Dome

TV: CBS

Line: Syracuse -2.5

If you didn't get a chance to read the Rutgers grades, which were recently posted, check them out here.

Villanova travels north to the Carrier Dome for a rematch today with a dangerous Syracuse team.

The Wildcats demolished the Orange two weeks ago at the Wachovia Center, and Syracuse will be looking to take revenge.

Syracuse is inching its way off the NCAA bubble and probably should be in at this point. The Orange are fresh off an overtime win against Georgetown last weekend, for a rare 8-day layoff in February.

KenPom predicts a 1-point Villanova win, with a 55 percent chance for a Villanova victory. That's a tad more optimistic for the Wildcats' chances than the sportsbooks have it, with most favoring the Orange by two-and-half points.

Check out the other four Villanova blogs linked at right for their more timely previews than this one.

Also, take your best shot at dethroning the reigning champion Mills by guessing the game's final score in the comments below.

Villanova faces Rutgers tonight

#12 Villanova (20-5) vs. Rutgers (10-15)
9:00 p.m., 19 February 2009 at the Pavilion

TV: ESPN2

Line: Villanova -18

Villanova returns to the Pavilion tonight to face a struggling Rutgers team in another Big East game. Though Rutgers blew out the Wildcats last year at the RAC, Villanova is strongly favored to win this one easily.

It's senior night on campus, so expect a starting lineup of Dante Cunningham, Frank Tchuisi, Dwayne Anderson, Shane Clark, and probably Scottie Reynolds. Though no game in the Big East should be easy, the Rutgers game is the perfect night to tolerate a little ceremony, given Villanova's huge edge to get the win.

Rutgers is 1-11 in conference play, with the Scarlet Knights' sole victory coming over 0-13 DePaul. Their best win on the entire year is a 4-point victory over Robert Morris at the RAC three months ago.

Villanova by the Numbers runs its usual quantitative preview. I Bleed Blue and White outlines the keys to the game. Ed from 1977 fills in at vacationing VUHoops for a preview column. Nova News is back with its usually thorough preview. Villanova Viewpoint pens an open letter to "the Wildcat faithful."

KenPom predicts an 18-point Villanova win at home, with a 95 percent chance of victory. The betting line is also sitting at 18.

You can try to guess the game's final score in the comment thread, below. The closest guess wins a mention in the next article. If you'd like to win something tangible, like an actual Villanova folder from last year's tournament run, enter Let's Go Nova's tournament contest.

Red-hot 'Nova an underdog at WVU

#13 Villanova (20-4) at West Virginia (16-8)
9:00 p.m., 13 February 2009 at the WVU Coliseum

TV: ESPN

Line: WVU -4.5

Villanova, a winner of six in a row, travels to Morgantown, W.V. tonight to face a desperate Mountaineers team. Despite the Wildcats' recent success, especially on the offensive end, West Virginia is favored by a field goal. [Update: now 4.5]

This is an important game for Villanova, who could move into a virtual tie for a double-bye in the Big East tournament, and solidify its place in the national top ten. Villanova also lacks a real, quality road win, which will be an important factor in NCAA seeding.

The game is even more crucial for a West Virginia team that finds itself on the brink of missing the NCAA tournament. Despite being ranked #7 in the nation by KenPom, the Mountaineers have lost four of their last six games to fall below .500 in conference play.

All four of those losses, however, were to ranked teams, and West Virginia remains a dangerous opponent. KenPom predicts a 5-point Mountaineer victory, with only a 30 percent chance for a Villanova win.

The ever-expanding Villanova Blagosphere is amped up for this game. IBBW has a preview, as does VBTN. VUhoops' article has been up for literally days in anticipation. Nova News also gives his thoughts on the game. The returning Villanova Viewpoint blogger has yet to check in, but check back.

Take you shot at predicting the game's final score in the comment thread below. The closest guess wins a mention in the next post. If you'd like to win something a bit more substantial, like a Villanova folder from last year's tournament run, enter Let's Go Nova's tournament contest.

Live blog for Marquette tonight

#13 Villanova (19-4) vs. #10 Marquette (20-3)
7:30 p.m., 10 February 2009 at the Pavilion

TV: ESPN2

Line: Villanova -4.5

Join Let's Go Nova for a live blog tonight at 7:30 p.m.

You know the drill. Bring your sarcastic nicknames, biting commentary, and a bowl of popcorn for one of the biggest live blogs of the season.

The Wildcats face #10 Marquette tonight in a rematch of a Villanova loss on New Year's Day. Villanova hasn't beaten the Golden Eagles since 2006, as Marquette guards Jerel McNeal, Dominic James, and Wesley Matthews have enjoyed three straight victories over the Wildcats.

Marquette comes into the Pavilion with 20 wins already on the year, and will be a very dangerous opponent despite the momentum of the Wildcats' five-game win streak. The Golden Eagles are also fresh off an upset loss in Tampa, so motivation should not be an issue.

Kenpom projects a 6-point Villanova win, giving the Wildcats a 71 percent of victory. You may predict the final score of the game in the comment thread below.

I Bleed Blue and White, VUHoops, VBTN, and Nova News all have previews for this major contest. Villanova Viewpoint has recently resumed updating, and it runs a preview article as well.

For Marquette, don't forget Cracked Sidewalks, one of the best college basketball blogs in the nation.

Villanova faces 'Cuse in ranked showdown

#17 Villanova (18-4) vs. #20 Syracuse (18-5)
12 p.m., 7 February 2009 at the Wachovia Center

TV: ESPN

Line: Villanova -5.5

The Wildcats play one of their bigger games of the year today at a noon showdown with the #20 Syracuse Orange. Aside from being another test against a tough ranked team, the game has huge Big East Tournament seeding and bye implications.

Kempom predicts a 7-point Villanova victory, and places the Wildcats' chances for a win at 76 percent.

Check out the other four Villanova blogs linked at right for their previews.

You may try to predict the game's final score in the comments below.

Providence live blog tonight

Join Let's Go Nova for a hastily planned live blog tonight for the Providence game.

The live blog will begin at 8 p.m.

The game will be televised on MSG+ (NY) and WPHL (Phila.). The line is Villanova -1.5.

Villanova faces Cincy in Super Sunday match

#21 Villanova (16-4) vs. Cincinnati (13-7)
12 p.m., 1 February 2009 at the Pavilion

TV: SNY (NY) / WPHL (Phila)

Line: Villanova -TBD

Villanova follows up its biggest win of the season on Wednesday with a home game against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Cincinnati is 13-7, fresh off a victory over Georgetown. Prior to that upset, the Bearcats' best win was an early December victory over UAB.

While the Bearcats can put points on the board, Villanova should be the heavy favorite, especially at the Pavilion. Kenpom gives the Wildcats an 87 percent chance to win, predicting an 11-point margin.

Check out VBTN, IBBW, VUhoops, and Nova News for their previews.

Predict the final score in the comment section below for a chance to be mentioned in a future blog post!

'Nova looks for first good win v. Pitt tonight

#21 Villanova (15-4) vs. #3 Pittsburgh (18-1)
7 p.m., 28 January 2009 at the Wachovia Spectrum

TV: ESPNU (Justin.tv likely will have the online stream of the game.)

Line: Villanova +3.5

Villanova returns to action tonight with a Wachovia Spectrum game against third-ranked Pittsburgh. The Wildcats are still looking for their first quality win on the season, and the Panthers would certainly qualify.

I will be attending the game, so if you'd like to read my live updates from my mobile phone, refresh this site and keep your eye on the top right sidebar.

Pitt is an intimidating opponent. Pittsburgh is 18-1 on the year, with its only loss coming to a red-hot Louisville team in Kentucky. Since then, the Panthers have won two straight, completely demolishing Syracuse and West Virginia in the last nine days.

Villanova has been struggling, notching a 3-3 record over the past six games. The Wildcats have been able to pick up wins against the basement dwellers South Florida, Seton Hall, and St. John's, but have not won a game against anyone likely to make the NCAA tournament all season.

VBTN, the new IBBW, VUhoops, and Nova News (all linked at right) also run previews for the game. Evan Dorey of Collegehoopsnet pens a nice, long analysis of the game from a non-partisan viewpoint.

Kenpom gives 'Nova a 38 percent chance to win tonight, predicting a 3-point loss to the Panthers. Oddsmakers have installed Pitt as the 3.5-point favorite.

Try to predict the final score of the game in the comment thread below. If anyone guesses the exact score of the game, I will stop criticizing Jay Wright for one week, at his or her request.

'Nova faces USF as road favorite

#20 Villanova (14-4) at South Florida (7-11)
12 p.m., 24 January 2009 at the USF Sun Dome.

TV: SNY (New York) / WPHL (Philadelphia)

Line: Villanova -6

Villanova travels to Tampa, Fla, this weekend to face the South Florida Bulls at noon on Saturday. Villanova needs a win to get to .500 in league play and keep the Wildcats' NCAA hopes remotely alive.

USF is trying to avoid a losing record for the season, and finds itself 4 games under .500 at 7-11.

The Bulls own a pair of wins over DePaul this season, but haven't beaten anyone else remotely decent. USF did stick with West Virginia in Morgantown, losing by three.

KenPom predicts gives Villanova a 70 percent chance to get the win on the road, predicting a 65-60 victory.

Take a look at all four of the blogs linked at the right sidebar for previews.

Try to the final score in the comment thread below. Congratulations to a reader named "Pete Bangs Men" for most closely predicting the final score last time.