No. 8 Villanova Vs. Providence: Another Big East Upset Alert

GAME NOTES: Fresh off a highly-impressive road victory, the eighth-ranked Villanova Wildcats invade Providence for a Big East Conference clash with the hometown Friars.

Last Saturday, Villanova found a way to defeat an outstanding Syracuse team in the Carrier Dome by an 83-72 final. That victory enabled the Wildcats to bounce back strong from a 61-59 road loss to UConn. Jay Wright's club is now 17-2 overall, and a 5-1 league mark certainly places the 'Cats in contention for the Big East Conference crown.

Providence suffered six consecutive defeats prior to Saturday clash with nationally-ranked Louisville. Fortunately for the Friars, they were able to knock off the Cardinals by a 72-67 final to improve to 11-2 at home. Still, they are just 1-6 in Big East action and have plenty of work to do to become relevant in the standings.

Villanova owns a 51-34 series advantage versus Providence, which includes eight straight wins over the Friars.

It can be argued with validity that Villanova possesses the best backcourt in all of college basketball. Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes and Maalik Wayns all start for the Wildcats, giving coach Wright three terrific ball handlers and shooters on the court. Wayns came through with 21 points against Syracuse, while Stokes and Fisher finished with 16 points apiece. As for Antonio Pena, he tallied 10 points for the Wildcats, who shot 50 percent from the field and nailed 11 three-pointers. Perhaps most impressive as all for 'Nova was a 22- of-24 effort from the foul line. Fisher is scoring 16.1 ppg for the Wildcats, and he has handed out 95 assists. Stokes checks in with 15.8 ppg, and Wayns adds 13.9 ppg in addition to 98 assists. Villanova is generating 76.9 ppg while holding foes to 62.5 ppg on 38.7 percent shooting from the floor, and it is the strong defense that often goes overlooked.

Sure, Providence has struggled in recent weeks, but Marshon Brooks has shined even in defeat. The senior swingman has started all 20 games for the Friars and is averaging 23.6 ppg to lead the conference. More than just a scorer, he is ripping down 7.5 rpg and has blocked 25 shots, impressive for a 6-5 player. Vincent Council brings 14.2 ppg to the court for Providence, and he is handing out 6.4 apg as well. Gerard Coleman rounds out a trio of double-digit scorers with 10.7 ppg for PC, which is scoring 77.7 ppg while allowing 72.1 ppg overall. Brooks was a force as usual against Louisville, as he poured in 27 points on the strength of a 4-of-7 effort from three-point range. Coleman added 19 points and Council had 13 points for the Friars, who forced 18 turnovers and limited the Cardinals to 4-of-23 shooting from three-point range.

Brooks will give Villanova all it can handle tonight, but the edge still goes to the Wildcats. At this point, 'Nova is as strong a national title contender as there is in the country.

GAME NOTES: Fresh off a highly-impressive road victory, the eighth-ranked Villanova Wildcats invade Providence for a Big East Conference clash with the hometown Friars.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,993) -- Providence, Rhode Island. Television: COX Sports, SNY. Home Record: Villanova 11-0, Providence 11-2. Away Record: Villanova 5-1, Providence 0-5. Neutral Record: Villanova 1-1, Providence 1-1. Conference Record: Villanova 5-1, Providence 1-6. Series Record: Villanova leads, 51-34.

Villanova 81, Providence 74