Syracuse University
Villanova University
'Big Monday' Features Rematch Between Orange and Wildcats
2/20/2011 4:03:16 PM | Men's Basketball
| GAME #29 | ||
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vs. |  |
| Game Info | Monday, February 21 | 7 p.m. | Game Notes | |
| Location | Philadelphia. Pa. | Wells Fargo Center | |
| Game Day | ||
| TV/Radio |
ESPN | TK99 | espn3.com |
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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – No. 17/20 Syracuse and No. 15/14 Villanova will meet for the second time this season in a 'Big Monday' showdown at the Wells Fargo Center on February 21. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Both squads enter the game on two-game winning streaks after winning in overtime on Saturday. The Orange (22-6, 9-6) defeated Rutgers, 84-80, while the Wildcats (21-6, 9-5) beat DePaul, 77-75.
Fans can watch the game live on ESPN or listen to the action via the Syracuse Sports Network and its flagship TK99 (99.5 FM). The audio stream of the radio broadcast will be available on SUathletics.com as part of Orange All Access. Subscriptions to Orange All Access are available at daily, monthly and yearly rates.
BLOCK PARTY
Syracuse blocked 11 shots in its overtime victory against Rutgers. Four different players recorded blocks against the Scarlet Knights, led by senior Rick Jackson's seven rejections. That figure ties his career high. Freshman Baye Moussa Keita recorded two blocks, while sophomore Brandon Triche and freshman #C.J. Fair# had one block apiece. Syracuse leads the BIG EAST in blocked shots, averaging 6.5 per game.
LEADER OF THE PACK
Senior Rick Jackson ranks first in the BIG EAST in five statistical categories. Jackson leads the league in rebounding, averaging 11.2 per game, and is the only player in the league to average double figures on the boards. He also ranks first in field goal percentage (.577), offensive rebounds (3.7 rpg.), defensive rebounds (7.5 rpg.) and blocked shots (2.4 per game).
Jackson recorded his 17th double-double of the season against Rutgers with 18 points and 12 rebounds. With that performance, Jackson has moved into 10th place on Syracuse's career rebounding list with 883.
FAIR PROVIDES SPARK OFF THE BENCH
Freshman #C.J. Fair# continues to contribute on both ends of the court this season. He had one of his best overall performances in the Orange's overtime victory against Rutgers. Fair was 6-for-8 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free throw line for a career-high 17 points. He also had eight rebounds, an assist and one blocked shot in a career-best 37 minutes of action. This season, Fair is Syracuse's fifth-leading scorer, averaging 6.5 points per game. In addition, he ranks fourth on the team in rebounds, pulling down 3.7 per contest.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ORANGE
Four players reached double figures in scoring to lead Syracuse to an 84-80 overtime victory against Rutgers on Saturday, February 19 in the Carrier Dome. The Orange tied the game at 70-70 in the final 10 seconds of the game and then outscored the Scarlet Knights, 14-10, in the extra session for its second straight win.
The Orange trailed by one at halftime, 44-43, but came back in the second half and built a 62-55 lead with nine minutes to play. The Scarlet Knights reeled off seven straight points to cut the lead to one at 64-63 with four minutes remaining in regulation. RU's Mike Poole's three-pointer gave the lead back to Rutgers, 66-64 at the 2:30 mark. Freshman #C.J. Fair# recorded four consecutive points evened the score at 68-68 with less than a minute left. Senior Rick Jackson converted one of two attempts from the free throw line and SU led by one, 69-68, with 34 seconds on the clock. Rutgers reclaimed the lead at 70-69 after a pair of free throws. On SU's next possession, Jackson was fouled, sending him to the line for two free throws. He again made one of two attempts to send the game into overtime.
Joseph hit a three-pointer to help Syracuse build a 77-75 lead with 1:30 remaining in the extra period. He then hit two free throws to increase SU's lead to four before sophomore Brandon Triche added two more makes from the charity stripe, putting Syracuse ahead, 83-75. Rutgers wouldn't go away, scoring five unanswered points to cut the lead to 83-80, but that was as close as the Scarlet Knights would get.
Joseph led all scorers with 21 points, while Jackson finished with 18. Triche and Fair recorded 17 points each. Jackson also pulled down 12 rebounds for his 17th double-double of the season.
SCOUTING VILLANOVA
Villanova enters Monday's game with an overall record of 21-6 and a 9-5 record in BIG EAST play. The Wildcats are the top free throw shooting team in the BIG EAST leading the conference with a percentage of .768 from the line. In their last outing, the Wildcats traveled to the Windy City to take on DePaul. Senior Corey Fisher tied the game on a three-pointer near the end of regulation as Villanova posted a 77-75 overtime victory against the Blue Demons.
Fisher, who scored a career-high 34 points at DePaul, leads Villanova in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game. Senior Corey Stokes is the Wildcats' second leading scorer with 14.6 points per game. Stokes is also one of the best free throw shooters in the nation. His free throw percentage of .935 ranks second in the nation and leads the BIG EAST. Sophomore Malik Wayans and senior Antonio Pena also are in double digits in scoring, averaging 13.4 and 10.3 points per game, respectively. Pena and sophomore Mouphtaou Yarou lead the team in rebounding. Both are averaging 7.4 rebounds per game.
Jay Wright is in his tenth season as the head coach of Villanova, his 17th year overall. He has an overall record of 346-189 (.647). Prior to coming to Villanova, Wright was the head coach at Hofstra from 1994-2001.
THE SERIES
Syracuse leads the all-time series against Villanova, 35-31. The Orange has lost four of the past five meetings against the Wildcats, including an 83-72 setback earlier this season. Junior Kris Joseph led the Orange with 23 points in that game.
