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Villanova takes on Central Florida at Old Spice Classic

Nov 22, 2007 - 2:34 PM No. 19 Villanova (2-0) vs. UCF (2-0) 7:00 pm EST

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- No. 19 Villanova faces Central Florida for the first time on Thursday in a first-round game at the Old Spice Classic.

It will be the first game for the Wildcats against a team from Conference USA since the 2003-04 season, when Memphis defeated Villanova. The tournament is now in its second season.

Villanova has allowed 64 points in each of its first two games, a 24-point victory over Stony Brook and a six-point win over Bucknell on Sunday.

Junior forward Shane Clark leads the Wildcats in scoring (21 ppg) and rebounding (9.5 rpg). Clark recorded his third career double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the victory over the Bison.

Sophomore guard Scottie Reynolds is averaging 14 points and junior forward Dante Cunningham chips in with 13 a game for Villanova.

The Knights, looking to start 3-0 for the fourth consecutive season, had just a short 35-mile trip from their East Orlando campus. In its last three eight-team tournaments, Central Florida is 8-1 with a pair of championships.

Thursday's game will be the first neutral site game in Florida for the Knights since the 2003-04 season. Central Florida is 1-16 all-time against nationally-ranked opponents.

Junior swingman Jermaine Taylor and senior guard Dave Noel are each averaging 14 points for the Knights.

The Villanova-UCF winner will play on Friday in a second-round game against the winner of the George Mason-Kansas State game. The George Mason-Kansas State game follows the UCF-Villanova game on Thursday.