On Saturday, a classic BIG EAST rivalry resumes as Villanova hosts Pittsburgh at 4:30 p.m. in Finneran Pavilion. Villanova has a current record of 7-2, while Pittsburgh comes in with a 5-5 record. This game marks a significant matchup as both teams look to establish momentum in their respective conferences.
Recent Performance
Villanova’s seven-game winning streak ended on Tuesday night with a loss to the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines. Michigan dominated the game, leading to an 89-61 defeat for the Wildcats. Villanova struggled offensively, shooting 33.9% from the field and scoring only 61 points, which is the lowest for the season.
Key Players
Graduate transfer guard Devin Askew led Villanova with 18 points in the loss. He has been performing well, averaging 17.5 points over his last two games. Freshman guard Acaden Lewis, who is currently the BIG EAST assist leader with an average of 5.6 assists per game, values Askew’s mentorship. Lewis praised Askew’s experience, stating, “He’s really been helpful to me, giving me tips and being a resource for any questions I may have.”
Community Involvement
In a holiday spirit initiative, fans attending Saturday’s game are encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys. These toys will be donated to CityTeam, a Chester-based organization dedicated to supporting those in need. Several members of the Villanova team will assist in delivering the collected toys next week.
Additionally, fans can have photos taken with Santa before the game near the display commemorating Villanova’s 1985 NCAA national championship.
Rivalry History
- Pitt and Villanova have a long-standing rivalry that began in 1982 and lasted until 2013.
- Pittsburgh currently leads the series with a record of 33-32.
- The last time Villanova won against Pittsburgh was in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight in 2009, when Scottie Reynolds scored a last-second basket for a 78-76 win.
Villanova is set to visit Pittsburgh in the upcoming season, continuing this heated rivalry.
Broadcast Information
The game will be broadcast nationwide on TruTV, featuring play-by-play announcer Brendan Glasheen, analyst Greg Anthony, and sideline reporter Autumn Johnson. Fans can also tune into the Villanova Sports Radio Network, where Scott Graham will provide coverage.
Looking Ahead
Following Saturday’s match, Villanova will take a break for exam week. They will return to action on Friday evening against Wisconsin in the Milwaukee Hoops Showdown, which will be their final non-conference regular season game.
