BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: Villanova @ Cincinnati

February 23, 2006


Before Villanova can think about their nationally televised re-match with Connecticut this Sunday, they must deal with a road trip to Cincinnati, where the Bearcats faithful will be waiting to welcome the highest rated visiting foe in the history of Fifth Third Arena.

Villanova sits atop the Big East standings with an 11-1 conference record. The Bearcats have won three of their last four to put them back into good shape for NCAA Tournament and would love to add a signature win to the resume.

Here are the pregame stories and previews from the internet:

Villanova Packing for Tough Road Trip (Delco Times)
Coach Has Cincy on Winning Path (Philly Daily News)
Bearcats Seek Signature Win (Cincy Post)
Cincinnati Has Survived Season of Hard Knocks (Philly Inquirer)
Four-Guard Set Came out of Necessity (Cincy Enquirer)
Bearcats Seek Huge Win (Enquirer)
Resurgent Bearcats Looking for NCAA Berth (AP Story in Fort-Worth Star)


For our preview and prediction on the game, click below!

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I expect one Cincinnati Bearcats to be jumping through the roof tonight! Eric Hicks, coming off a 1-13 performance from the field, scoring just 3 pts against Providence, will be ready to go tonight! Even with a couple sore ankles, Hicks will definitely bring it tonight against Villanova: "It's just a little sore; I'll be fine," Hicks said. "We're playing Villanova, I'm fine."

Expect that mentality from the entire Cincinnati team tonight. With seniors James White, Eric Hicks and Jihad Muhammad in the starting line-up and Devan Downey and Cedric McGowan, they are going to have to be ready for a 40-minute assault from the Villanova 4-guard line-up. The spotlight will most likely fall on Downey, Cincinnati's freshmen point guard, on how he handles the on-the-ball pressure of Villanova and their three-quarter court trap. If he is forced to give up the ball early, the Cincinnati offense will have to find another way to get into a rhythm and not be sped up by the backcourt pressure. Hicks should find the boards and the paint his personal playground and the atheletic and imposing 6'6 forward will be looking to bounce back with a vengeneance tonight.

For Villanova, the target is definitely painted squarely on their backs. They are the #2 ranked team in the country and the hype surrounding them since their victory over Connecticut has continued to grow. This is definitely a dangerous game as they will have to battle a charged up atmosphere in Cincinnati with the crowd on top of them and avoid the natural urge to think about Connecticut coming up on Sunday. Key players to watch tonight on the Villanova side are Kyle Lowry and Randy Foye. This seems like a physical and intense match-up that these two will excel in. With Lowry slashing to the basket and Foye shooting over the UC guards, they will eventually free up Allan Ray on the perimeter for his 3-pt shot.

Neither team is very deep, but Villanova does have the ability to bring in Jason Fraser, Dante Cunningham and Shane Clark to rotate their guards for some rest and to match-up a little bigger. Cincinnati will be able to stay very athletic on the floor, but backcourt depth is a concern when handling the Villanova pressure.

I think the atmosphere is going to keep the Bearcats in the game from start to finish. However, in the end, the four-guard line-up of Villanova causes key match-up advantages down the stretch that the Bearcats will not recover from. It will be an intense and physical match-up that will be a great one to watch. The 4-pt favored Wildcats will get all they can handle.

NBE Blogger Prediction:

Villanova 68 Cincinnati 65