• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Georgetown faces Villanvoa in Big East quarterfinals

Mar 8, 2007 - 3:35 PM Villanova (22-9) at No. 9 Georgetown (23-6) 12:00 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Georgetown hope a top seed in the Big East Conference Tournament translates to a championship.

The ninth-ranked Hoyas begin their quest for a title in the conference tourney Thursday when they square off with ninth-seeded Villanova in the Big East quarterfinals.

The Hoyas (23-6) have not been a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament since 1989, which was also the last time they took home the crown.

Georgetown has won 12 of its last 13 games, including a 59-46 victory over Connecticut in the regular-season finale. Roy Hibbert led the Hoyas with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Hoyas senior forward Jeff Green was named Big East Player of the Year earlier this week, becoming the school's first player to earn the honor since Alonzo Mourning in 1991-92. Green and Hibbert both were unanimous selections to the All-Big East First Team.

Georgetown boasts a 29-20 record in the all-time series with Villanova, which has won nine of the last 14 meetings.

Villanova, last season's No. 1 seed, comes into the matchup needing a win to firmly cement its place in the NCAA Tournament.

The two teams split their matchups this season, with each winning on the other's home floor. Freshman Scottie Reynolds was a thorn in the Hoyas' side, leading the Wildcats in scoring in both games with 16 and 18 points, respectively.

Villanova (22-9) enters the contest riding a four-game winning streak, including Wednesday's 75-67 triumph over DePaul in the first round.

The conference Rookie of the Year, Reynolds scored 29 points to pace the Wildcats.