Site: XL Center, Hartford
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN (Mike Patrick, Len Elmore)
Radio: WTIC-AM 1080 (Joe D'Ambrosio, Wayne Norman)
Series history: Villanova, 32-30
Last meeting: UConn 73-70 (OT) in Philadelphia, Feb. 20, 2012
Streaks: Villanova, L1; UConn, W2
Villanova (15-10, 6-6)
13 MOUPHTAOU YAROU, F, 6-10, Sr., 9.0 ppg – Averaging 10.7 points, 8.7 rebounds in Big East
33 DANIEL OCHEFU, F, 6-11, Fr., 4.2 – Averaging 4.6 points in 19 minutes in past 11 games
32 JAMES BELL, G/F, 6-6, Jr., 9.2 – Shooting 39 percent on three-point attempts
15 RYAN ARCIDIACONO, G, 6-3, Fr., 11.1 – Has been Big East rookie of week twice
4 DARRUN HILLIARD, G, 6-6, So., 11.4 – Has 37 assists, 45 turnovers
22 JAYVAUGHN PINKSTON, F, 6-6, So., 12.5 – Averaging 4.9 rebounds
UConn (17-6, 7-4)
13 SHABAZZ NAPIER, G, 6-1, Jr., 16.9 ppg – Averages 6.3 points in first half, 10.6 in second half and overtime
11 RYAN BOATRIGHT, G, 6-0, So., 15.9 – 6 of 14 on threes in last five minutes of games
21 OMAR CALHOUN, G/F, 6-5, Fr., 11.3 – Shooting 33.7 percent on threes
2 DeANDRE DANIELS, F, 6-8, So., 10.6 – Leads Huskies with 5.6 rebounds in Big East games
10 TYLER OLANDER, C, 6-9, Jr., 4.4 – Had four points, four rebounds in 20 minutes vs. Syracuse
5 NIELS GIFFEY, F, 6-7, Jr., 4.6 – Nine points, five rebounds vs. Syracuse
What To Watch
NOLAN'S TIME: With Enosch Wolf suspended, the Huskies are thin up front. Nolan played 14 encouraging minutes vs. Syracuse, getting five rebounds. More is likely to be expected from him as time goes on.
LET-DOWN EASY: UConn won't have a bigger or more emotional game this year than the win over Syracuse on Wednesday. It would be easy to have a letdown, and Villanova has proved to be a dangerous opponent to the high and mighty.
IT'S THE GUARDS: Napier, Boatright and Calhoun continue to provide the dominant share of UConn's scoring at 62.3 percent. Villanova is another opponent with tall guards, so it will be another case of quickness vs. size in the backcourt.
THREES COMPANY: Villanova's season has gone like this: When the Wildcats hit six threes or more, they are 12-0. Six or less, they are 3-10. So guarding the perimeter will be a key for UConn, which has held opponents to 30.3 percent on three-pointers.
CROWD NOISE: Speaking of emotional letdowns, UConn had a big, loud crowd vs. Syracuse and it was a factor. Will Villanova, in a noon start, bring the same kind of energy to the XL Center? The Huskies hope so.
DOM AMORE I damore@courant.com
