TicketsJan. 12, 2012
The University of Cincinnati plays host to Villanova on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena. The contest starts at Noon and will be televised by The CW Cincinnati (Time Warner-channel 20; Insight-channel 25) in Cincinnati and available on the Internet at ESPN3.com. The game can also be heard on 700 WLW-AM radio.
Cincinnati (13-4, 3-1 BIG EAST) is looking to start 4-1 in league play for the first time since joining the BIG EAST Conference prior to the start of the 2005-06 season. The Bearcats are coming off a 68-64 comeback win at No. 11 Georgetown on Monday. Sean Kilpatrick scored a career-high 27 points and Dion Dixon added a season-high 22 points. UC came back from a 59-53 deficit with 6:31 remaining to record its sixth consecutive BIG EAST road win.
Villanova (8-9, 1-4 BIG EAST) suffered a 79-66 home setback to No. 1 Syracuse on Wednesday.
The Wildcats lead the series with Cincinnati 6-1, having won each of the last three meetings. Villanova posted a 72-61 in Philadelphia last season, ending the Bearcats' 15-game win streak to start the season.
UC travels to Storrs, Conn., on Jan. 18 to battle nationally ranked Connecticut.
GAME AT A GLANCE
Series Info: Eighth meeting; Villanova leads 6-1 overall; Villanova leads 3-1 in Cincinnati; Villanova leads 3-0 in Philadelphia; The teams have never met at a neutral site; STREAK - Villanova has won the last three meetings.
Last Meeting: Villanova won 72-61 in Philadelphia on Jan. 9, 2011.
Coaches: Mick Cronin is in his sixth season at Cincinnati (100-81); ninth season overall (169-105). Cronin is 1-4 vs. Villanova. Jay Wright is in his 11th season at Villanova (232-120); 18th season overall (354-205).
Rankings: Cincinnati and Villanova were not ranked in the Associated Press or the USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls for Jan. 9.
Radio: 700 WLW; Dan Hoard provides play-by-play alongside color analyst Chuck Machock. Mo Egger is host/engineer.
TV: BIG EAST Network-The CW Cincinnati (Time Warner-channel 20; Insight-channel 25); Mike Gleason provides play-by-play alongside color analyst Bob Wenzel. Todd Kulis serves as producer. Dennis Lanius directs.
UC Twitter Page: @GoBEARCATS
STREAKS, STORYLINES, SIDEBARS
-With a win Saturday against Villanova UC would start BIG EAST play 4-1 for the first time since joining the league prior to the start of the 2005-06 season.
-Dating back to last season, UC has won eight of its last 10 regular-season BIG EAST games.
-The Bearcats have held 14 of their 17 opponents under 70 points, including 12 foes to 60 or fewer points.
-The Bearcats forced 17 turnovers at Georgetown on Monday and have forced 160 over the last nine games (17.8 per game). UC recorded 13 steals against the Hoyas - tied for the most in a BIG EAST game during the Mick Cronin era.
-In NCAA rankings (games through 1/8/12) Cincinnati ranked nationally in turnover margin (ninth at +4.6), fewest turnovers per game (19th at 11.4), scoring defense (14th at 57.3), scoring margin (29th at +12.8) and blocked shots (32nd at 4.6). UC also ranks eighth in the nation for fewest fouls committed at 14.6 per game.
-Sean Kilpatrick has played especially well over the past nine games, averaging a team-high 18.0 points, 3.4 three-pointers and 2.6 steals to go with 5.1 rebounds. For the season, he leads the BIG EAST with 2.82 three-pointers per game and is tied for 10th in scoring at 16.4 points per game.