Wednesday, March 5th, 8:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: The Pavilion (6,500) -- Villanova, Pennsylvania. Television: None. Home Record: USF 7-7, Villanova 11-3. Away Record: USF 3-7, Villanova 3-7. Neutral Record: USF 2-1, Villanova 3-1. Conference Record: USF 3-13, Villanova 7-9. Series Record: Villanova leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Villanova Wildcats will attempt to get back in the win column when they host the South Florida Bulls in a Big East matchup at The Pavilion tonight. Villanova followed a recent three-game winning streak by losing back- to-back affairs. The Wildcats were thwarted by Louisville on Sunday, 68-54. Sitting in a three-way tie for ninth place in the conference, 'Nova has a lot of work to do if the team figures to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats close out the regular season at Providence on Saturday. South Florida meanwhile, has struggled in the ultra-competitive Big East. The Bulls have dropped 13 of their last 15 games, but one of those rare wins came this past weekend. A bank shot with 37 seconds left in regulation gave USF a 54-52 victory over Rutgers on Saturday for the Bulls' third conference win of the season. South Florida will close out its season with a home game against Notre Dame, as a postseason berth is not in the cards for the Bulls. Villanova won the only other time these squads met in a 49-46 decision back in the 2005-06 campaign.

Dominique Jones and Kentrell Gransberry have co-piloted the Bulls this season. Although South Florida's record leaves a lot to be desired, their contribution cannot go unnoticed. Their efforts against Rutgers were paid off with a win last weekend, as Jones poured in a team-high 17 points, and Gransberry recorded yet another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. On the season, Jones paces the squad with 16.6 ppg, while Gransberry isn't far behind at 16.5 points and a conference-best 11.0 rebounds per outing. Jesus Verdejo, who added 16 points in the latest victory, is netting 10.8 ppg, while Chris Howard leads the team in assists (142) to go along with 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest.

Villanova has struggled against some of the bigger teams in the conference as the Wildcats don't possess an interior body to grab big rebounds and make opponents work for tough baskets. 'Nova was outrebounded by nine caroms against Louisville last weekend, a common trend in many of Villanova's losses. Dante Cunningham is the team's leading rebounder at 6.6 rpg, but he is hardly a menacing force in the post. Cunningham is also chipping in 10.4 ppg, while Corey Fisher is dropping an even 10.0 ppg. The heart-and-soul of the team, Scottie Reynolds, has been inconsistent at times this season, but still paces the 'Cats with 15.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. Malcolm Grant throws in an occasional solid effort, as he led Villanova with 11 points in the recent loss.

Villanova is fighting for its postseason life, while South Florida is looking forward to next season already. If the Wildcats can't pull out a win against an overmatched opponent on their home floor, it might be time for Villanova to do the same.

Predicted Outcome

Villanova 75, South Florida 64