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Villanova looks to remain unbeaten as it hosts Monmouth

Nov 25, 2008 - 2:38 PM Monmouth (0-4) at (22) Villanova (3-0), 7:30pm EST

VILLANOVA, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- Villanova's first test against a ranked opponent is still two weeks away. Until then, the 22nd-ranked Wildcats will try to continue to plow through the small-school circuit.

With three easy victories already in the books, Villanova looks to make it four on Tuesday night as it hosts winless Monmouth of the Northeast Conference in its second game in the Philly Hoop Group Classic.

The Wildcats will face a stiff test on December 9, when they host seventh-ranked Texas in a major non-conference tilt. The two weeks leading up to that showdown are expected to be used primarily for tuning up. Villanova's next four opponents are a combined 4-12 so far.

Most recently, the Wildcats defeated a scrappy Niagara squad on Wednesday, overcoming poor shooting efforts of guards Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher. But they made up for it with a defensive effort that forced 19 turnovers and limited the Purple Eagles to 6-of-21 shooting from 3-point range.

Villanova most recently faced off against Monmouth 2 1/2 years ago in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The No. 1-seeded Wildcats topped the Hawks, 58-45, on their way to the Elite Eight.

But this Monmouth squad isn't thinking about any postseason tournaments just yet - it's just trying to win a game. The Hawks are surrendering 80 points per game in their four losses.