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GAME NOTES: The Syracuse Orange and the Villanova Wildcats square off for the second time in two weeks, as the Big East rivals clash at the Wachovia Center today. Since posting an 81-71 victory at Syracuse on January 19th, Villanova hasn't been able to find its way back into the win column, losing a season- high three straight games. All three setbacks have come by double figures, including a 69-57 defeat at nationally-ranked Pittsburgh on Wednesday. With the recent string of losses, the Wildcats are just 3-5 in conference play and 13-6 overall. Villanova has a quick turnaround following this bout, as it will face off against local rival Saint Joseph's on Monday. As for Syracuse, it finally notched its first Big East road win of the season, defeating DePaul, 60-55, on Wednesday. It was the second victory in a row for the Orange, which improved to 15-7 overall and 5-4 in conference action. Syracuse leads the all- time series with Villanova, 33-27, and that includes a 4-3 edge in battles at the Wachovia Center.

Syracuse's success can be attributed to its solid play at the offensive end of the floor and on the boards, as the team is averaging a hardy 80.0 ppg while outrebounding its foes by 7.0 rpg. Freshman Donte Greene paces this dangerous attack with 18.4 ppg and he is also ripping down a solid 7.5 rpg and shooting 37.3 percent from three-point land. Jonny Flynn, another heralded freshman, adds 14.8 ppg and a team-best 5.0 apg to the mix, while Arinze Onuaku contributes 13.5 ppg and 8.4 rpg. Paul Harris is the squad's top rebounder at 8.9 rpg and he rounds out the double-figure scorers with 12.8 ppg. In the team's last game, Onuaku poured in 22 points and snared nine caroms in leading the Orange over DePaul. Greene turned in 14 points, while Harris posted 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Syracuse knocked down 41.5 percent of its field goals in the game and it also won the battle on the boards, 43-37.

The Wildcats have fared well on offense this season and they come into the game averaging a solid 76.5 ppg behind 44.0 percent shooting from the field. Scottie Reynolds is the type of player that can just about do it all and he has shown that by leading Villanova in scoring (17.6 ppg), assists (3.9 apg) and steals (31). Corey Fisher ranks second to him with 11.0 ppg and 2.7 apg, while Dante Cunningham puts fourth 10.0 ppg and a team-high 6.9 rpg. In the squad's previous contest, Reynolds tallied 26 points and dolled out four assists, but his effort went to waste in a loss at Pittsburgh. The Wildcats shot a lackluster 36.5 percent from the field and they were also dominated on the glass, 43-32.

Villanova defeated Syracuse on the road just two weeks ago, but a lot has changed since then. The Orange are playing at a high level right now and they should be able to control the paint at both ends of the court for the victory.