Preview: UConn vs. Villanova

How to watch

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 22

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Location: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, CT

TV: SNY

Stream: SNY.tv (in market) | FoxSports.com/live (out of market)

Radio: UConn Sports Network (97.9 Fox Sports and affiliates)

Villanova Wildcats

Record: 10-9 (4-3 Big East)

Location: Villanova, PA

Head coach: Denise Dillon (fifth season)

Scouting the Wildcats

Villanova enters Wednesday’s contest as a firmly mediocre squad. The Wildcats are one win above .500 in league play and overall, with no winning streaks longer than three games and no losing streaks that stretched more than two contests.

Jasmine Bascoe has stepped and led the team as a freshman, averaging 15.1 points, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Villanova can do damage from deep, ranking 31st in the nation with a 35.8 3-point percentage.

Since the two teams last met on Jan. 5, the Wildcats recorded wins against Georgetown, DePaul and St. John’s — the latter by just two points on the road — and fell at Marquette.

Statistical leaders

Points: 15.1 — Jasmine Bascoe
Rebounds: 6.1 — Denae Carter
Assists: 4.3 — Jasmine Bascoe
Steals: 2.0 — Jasmine Bascoe
3-point %: 50.0 — Bronagh Power-Cassidy

Last meeting

UConn claimed an 83-52 victory at Villanova back on Jan. 5, though it didn’t come without drama. In the third quarter, Paige Bueckers left the game after suffering a knee injury and didn’t return. It ultimately proved to be a minor knee sprain that kept her out just two contests and she’s since recovered.

Sarah Strong led the Huskies with 21 points while KK Arnold set a season-high with 15 points. As a team, UConn assisted on 30 of 35 baskets.

Last time out

On Sunday, UConn blasted Seton Hall in its best performance of the season. The Huskies won by 60 — their largest margin of victory in four years — behind a strong defense and hot offense. Paige Bueckers recorded her 2,000th career point while Aubrey Griffin made her season debut.

By the numbers

12 — 12 players scored for UConn in the win over Seton Hall. The last time that happened? Feb. 17, 2008 vs. Pitt — according to Carl Adamec. Shea Ralph was an assistant coach for the Panthers in that game.

100 — Assuming she remains in the starting lineup, Wednesday will be the 100th start of Kaitlyn Chen’s career.

81 — Now that Aubrey Griffin is back, the countdown to 1,000 points can begin. She current has 919, 81 short of the milestone.

111 — Speaking of Griffin, she’s played in more career games than anyone on UConn’s roster with 111. Chen is second with 109 while Paige Bueckers is third at 102.

20 — If the Huskies reach the national championship game, they’ll play 40 games this season. That would make Villanova the midway point of the season as the 20th contest.