Providence-Villanova Preview

VILLANOVA

Villanova used another hot shooting performance from the perimeter to advance and pull closer to some historic achievements.

The fourth-ranked Wildcats can establish their longest-ever winning streak and set a single-season school record for victories Friday night against Providence in a Big East Tournament semifinal at Madison Square Garden.

Villanova (30-2) opened postseason play with an 84-49 (+35) blowout of Marquette in Thursday's quarterfinal, its biggest Big East Tournament victory ever. Its 30 wins match the school record set by the 2008-09 Final Four team, while the 13-game winning streak is the squad's second this season.

The Wildcats are trying to buck a trend of disappointing conference tournament performances. Villanova hasn't won 2 such games since 2004 when it defeated Providence to reach the semifinals, where it lost to Connecticut.

In 2009, the Wildcats won 1 game before bowing out early and the 2006 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament regional finals did the same. As the top seed last year, they were upset by eighth-seeded Seton Hall on a buzzer-beater in a quarterfinal matchup.

The program won its lone Big East championship in 1995.

"There's no doubt it's in the back of your mind," coach Jay Wright said. "We didn't talk about it. I just think the experience of that is a part of these guys now. So I think they came really, really focused and ready for anything."

The Wildcats hit a Big East Tournament-record 17 3-pointers on 29 attempts against the Golden Eagles. They're shooting 44.5% from beyond the arc over the last 11 games, hitting 52% or better 3 times in the last 7.

Four players made at least three 3-pointers Thursday, including reserve Josh Hart, who was 5 of 7 and scored 20 after averaging 8.4 over his previous seven games. 

Five Wildcats have hit 45 or more 3-pointers this season.

Darrun Hilliard, who averages a team-high 14.2 points, had 13 and recorded a career-high 8 assists.

"Our guys are very unselfish," Wright said. "When your senior does that, your leading scorer, I think that sets the tone for everybody."

Villanova has taken 13 of 16 meetings with Providence dating to that 2004 conference tournament victory and swept the regular-season series, winning 74-68 at Providence on Feb. 11 and 89-61 at home Feb. 24. The Wildcats shot 51.7% and were 20 of 45 from 3-point range in those matchups.

PROVIDENCE

Providence (22-10; 11-7 BE) had been vulnerable on the perimeter, letting opponents shoot 44.1% on 3s during a 2-2 stretch to close the regular season. 

It held St. John's to 6 of 21 from beyond the arc in a 74-57 quarterfinal win, however.

The Friars got 20 points and 12 rebounds from LaDontae Henton while Kris Dunn had 17 points and 11 assists.

"These guys, when they play well, we're a tough out," coach Ed Cooley said. "If they struggle, we're going to struggle. I think everybody understands that."

Henton has shot 35.6% in 7 career meetings with Villanova while Dunn has made 29.8 in 4. 

Dunn was held to 4 points Feb. 24.

Providence, the defending Big East Tournament champion, is looking for a fifth straight victory in the event after dropping 15 of its previous 17. 

The Friars, though, have lost 11 consecutive games against top-5 teams since an 81-73 win over No. 1 Pittsburgh on Feb. 24, 2009.