Villanova's Josh Hart poses a major challenge to Creighton's defensive stopper

OMAHA , Neb. -- Khyri Thomas is Creighton's defensive stopper and he will have his hands full when the Bluejays host VIllanova in Saturday's 1 p.m. matchup of Big East unbeatens.

Both No. 1 Villanova and No. 10 Creighton are 13-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big East.

A 6-foot-3 sophomore, Thomas will be defending Villanova's 6-5 Josh Hart, who leads the Big East in scoring (20.5 ppg.) and has averaged 25.8 points while shooting 53.8 percent from the field in his last five games.

"I am really excited to play against him," Thomas said before Friday's practice at the CenturyLink Center. "It will be fun guarding and competing against him."

Not many would call defending Hart "fun" but Thomas prides himself on his defense and is looking forward to the challenge.

"He kind of does everything," Thomas said. "He is a very good defender, can score, rebounds a lot and runs the floor."

What else is left for Hart to do?

"He's really an all-around player if you ask me," Thomas said. "He is really good and their go-to guy this year."

Hart has great respect for Thomas.

"He's tough, he is gritty. he is a guy who takes pride in guarding other team's best player," Hart said after Friday's practice. "I can't get into the individual matchup, I just have to take what the defense gives me and make the right play."