FACTS & STATS: Site: The Pavilion (6,500) -- Villanova, Pennsylvania. Television: None. Home Record: Hartford 3-0, Villanova 3-0. Away Record: Hartford 0-6, Villanova 1-0. Neutral Record: Hartford 2-0, Villanova 3-1. Conference Record: Hartford 0-0, Villanova 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The 23rd-ranked Villanova Wildcats begin a three-game homestand this evening, as they welcome the Hartford Hawks to the Pavilion, for non- conference action. Jay Wright's team played its first road game of the season this past weekend, outlasting a tough Temple team, 101-93 at the Liacouris Center. The win was the 13th straight over a Big Five opponent and pushed Villanova's record to 7-1 to start the 2007-08 campaign. The Hawks brought an end to a two-game slide with Tuesday's 67-53 win over Monmouth. The win leaves the Hawks within one game of the .500 mark (5-6). This is the first-ever meeting between these two teams.

The Hawks led from start to finish on Tuesday, as they posted their fifth straight win at home with a 14-point decision against Monmouth. Senior guard Brian Glowiak posted a career-high tying 15 points, coming off the bench to hit five three-pointers. Junior guard Jaret Von Rosenberg and sophomore guard Joe Zeglinski were instrumental in the win as well, adding 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Hawks distanced themselves in the first half by shooting .583 from the floor and taking a 38-15 lead into the break. The Hawks shot just .391 from the floor in the second half, but were able to hold on for the win, as Monmouth was unable to overcome 22 turnovers. Offensively, the Hawkshave been rather mediocre. The team is averaging 72.6 ppg, on .435 shooting. Zeglinski is hitting just over 40 percent of his shots, but still leads the team in scoring at 14.2 ppg. Junior forward Warren McLendon is the only other player currently netting double digits, with 13.3 ppg.

The Wildcats are doing a good job at both ends of the court this year, enjoying a +9.8 scoring margin, a +7.6 rebounding edge and forcing nearly 18 turnovers per outing. Scoring depth has not been a problem, as four of the five starters are averaging double figures, leading to a healthy 80.0 ppg. Scottie Reynolds is the team's top scoring option, averaging 16.6 ppg. He is followed by Shane Clark (12.3 ppg), who adds 6.6 rpg. Corey Fisher and Dante Cunningham are providing plenty of support with 11.0 and 10.9 ppg, respectively. The Wildcats scored a season-high 101 points at Temple last weekend, as the team hit over 52 percent from the floor, including 11-of-20 from three-point range. Reynolds was 8-of-12 from the floor, pouring in 27 points. Clark and Antonio Pena tallied 17 points apiece, while Fisher chipped in with 16.

The Hawks are 0-6 on the road this year. The futility is likely to continue, as Villanova is simply the better team in every facet of the game.

Predicted Outcome

Villanova 83, Hartford 59