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GAME NOTES: The seventh-ranked Villanova Wildcats will try to end their recent struggles tonight, as they entertain the South Florida Bulls in a Big East clash at The Pavilion.

After ripping through the first part of their schedule with little resistance, the Wildcats have hit a bit of a rough patch, falling in two straight and three of their last five outings. On Sunday, Villanova was outlasted at Pittsburgh, 70-65, as it fell a game back of Syracuse for the top spot in the Big East at 11-3. The Wildcats meet up with the Orange this Saturday, so it's imperative they win this game to stay in the hunt for the league title. Getting the job done at home shouldn't be a problem, as Villanova has won 36 consecutive games in The Pavilion.

USF meanwhile, is coming off a damaging loss, as it was upended, 74-58, at home by St. John's on Saturday. The Bulls were NCAA Tournament contenders just a few weeks ago after knocking off Pittsburgh and Georgetown, but they have won just once in four games following those victories. The team is now just 6-8 within the conference and desperately needs tonight's game.

As for the all-time series, Villanova is a perfect 3-0 against USF and that includes a 70-61 victory in Tampa last season.

The Bulls didn't do much to slow down SJU over the weekend, as the Red Storm shot a scorching 58.7 percent from the floor in a 74-58 besting. Offensively, USF never got going either, hitting on just 5-of-22 attempts from downtown and only 7-of-13 at the foul line. Mike Mercer and Dominique Jones scored 17 points apiece to lead the team in the loss, while Chris Howard posted 14 points and five assists. Jones has carried the team with an average of 21.6 ppg for the season and he also adds 6.0 rpg and 4.1 apg to the equation. Augustus Gilchrist, who returned recently from injury, ranks second with 15.4 ppg, but he still isn't completely healed and it may take some time before he gets back to full form. Jarrid Famous tacks on 11.2 ppg and a team-best 7.8 rpg for the Bulls, while Howard contributes 10.3 ppg and 3.8 apg.

The Wildcats, averaging 84.2 ppg on the campaign, were held to just 65 points in a loss to Pitt over the weekend. Villanova had 13 turnovers that resulted in 20 points for Pitt and it was also outscored at the foul line, 26-11, in the defeat. Scottie Reynolds tallied 20 points, but also had six turnovers, to lead the Wildcats. Corey Fisher pitched in with 12 points. A possible Big East Player of the Year candidate, Reynolds tops the roster in scoring (19.0 ppg) and steals (42), to go along with 3.4 apg. Fisher has provided a nice complement with 14.1 ppg and a team-high 4.0 apg and like Reynolds, he shoots just over 40 percent from long range. Antonio Pena is the team's best option down low and he turns in 10.9 ppg and a team-best 7.5 rpg.

Villanova has struggled a bit of late, but it has the talent and experience to bounce right back with a convincing victory over USF tonight.