Game #88. RTC Live returns to Philadelphia for another compelling Big East matchup on the Main Line.
Both Rutgers and Villanova open their Big East season Sunday at noon when the Wildcats host the Scarlet Knights at the Pavilion, Villanova’s on campus arena. Rutgers’ new coach, Mike Rice, gained a measure of fame last March when his Robert Morris University team took Villanova to overtime in the first their first round NCAA game. Rutgers brings a 9-3 out of conference record, identical to their mark last season, into the opener. Their last game was a 78-55 loss to North Carolina in Madison Square Garden. They will be led by seniors Jonathan Mitchell, Mike Coburn and sophomore Dane Miller. Villanova, 11-1 and ranked #8 by the AP, ran their winning streak to six games with their 78-74 victory over #25 Temple at the Pavilion on Thursday night. Seniors Corey Stokes, Corey Fisher, Antonio Pena and sophomores Maalik Wayns and Mouphtaou Yarou have each posted the team-high points in at least one game this season, but the Nova Nation knows the team’s fortunes hang on the speed of their back court duo, Fisher and Wayns, and Stokes’ ability to hit the three consistently. That combination led the Wildcats over Temple and failed them in their lone season loss to Tennessee. Join RTC Live at the Pavilion on the Main Line as Villanova hosts Rutgers.