Villanova, Temple face off tonight

Men's basketball at the Pavilion

Time: 7 p.m.

TV/radio: ESPNU; ESPN-AM (950), WPHT-AM (1210).

Records: Temple, 5-5, 0-0 Big Five; Villanova, 11-1, 3-0, ranked No. 18 in AP poll.

Coaches: Temple, Fran Dunphy (third season, 38-36); Villanova, Jay Wright (eighth season, 158-84).

Leading scorers: For Temple, Dionte Christmas, G, 6-5, Sr., 20.8 ppg., 6.4 rpg.; Ryan Brooks, G, 6-4, Jr., 12.4 ppg., Sergio Olmos, C, 7-0, Sr., 12.0 ppg.

For Villanova, Dante Cunningham, F, 6-8, Sr., 17.3 ppg., 7.8 rpg.; Scottie Reynolds, G, 6-2, Jr., 14.7 ppg., 4.5 assists; Corey Stokes, G, 6-5, Soph., 12.2 ppg.

Temple update: The Owls lost to Kansas and Long Beach State on their two-game Western road trip. Christmas scored three points in the first half of the two games and 40 points in the second half. He is shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range and averaging 4.0 three-point baskets per game. The Owls shared the Big Five title with Villanova last season.

Villanova update: The Wildcats wrap up their nonconference schedule tonight shooting for their third 4-0 record in the last four seasons in City Series play. In their most recent win, the Cats saw Navy shoot 14 of 28 from three-point range, with Chris Harris going 8 of 10. Wright said after the game that Christmas would be drooling when he saw the tape of how poorly Villanova defended the trey.

- Joe Juliano
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