VILLANOVA vs. UCONN

When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York

Records: Villanova 8-4, UConn 9-3

TV: CBS

Radio: UConn/IMG Sports Network, WAVZ-New Haven (1300 AM), 97.9 FM-ESPN Hartford

KEEP AN EYE ON

⏩ MAKING A SPLASH: Dan Hurley typically waits until the next morning to watch video of his team’s game tape from the night before. But there was one sequence he had to see soon after getting home from Tuesday night’s 97-65 win over Drexel: Sid Wilson’s blocked shot that led to a fast break, which Wilson finished on the other end with a powerful putback dunk.

“He’s different,” said Hurley. “He’s the only guy in the program that can make those type of ‘splash’ plays.”

Wilson’s athleticism figures to make a difference on Saturday afternoon.

⏩ THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER: Many of the names have changed, but Villanova’s game is still largely the same. The Wildcats largely rely on a four-out motion offense, and unleash a barrage of 3-pointers — averaging 29.3 attempts per game. Hurley wants his team to force the Wildcats into taking tough shots inside the 3-point arc. He’ll even accept a wide-open layup or two, if it means the team is being smart about guarding the perimeter.

“If they’re making a lot of 3’s, you’re in trouble,” said the coach. “That’s why they put you in such a tough spot, the way they’re able to post (Eric) Paschall up, when they get the matchups they like. They like to post up (Phil) Booth at the guard spot, too, which creates some difficulty. (Collin) Gillespie’s a physical driver. It’s like, how much help do you provide when they get to that mid-post area? Because once you run down there and start trapping and overhelping, now the 3’s start raining in.”

⏩ PHIL-IN’ IT UP: Phil Booth is coming off a careerhigh 29-point effort in ’Nova’s 74-71 loss at No. 1 Kansas on Saturday. He’s averaging 21.5 points in his last two games.

“He’s the guy for them on the perimeter,” said Hurley. “Obviously, Gillepsie’s a really good player. Him and Paschall are great leading men for them. We’ve got to try to take one of those two guys, really try to limit them well below their averages.”

Paschall, meanwhile, was a teammate of Christian Vital’s at St. Thomas More Prep in Oakdale.

“That’s my boy,” said Vital. “But not on Saturday, though.”

⏩ RIVALRY RENEWED: Villanova owns a 34-31 all-time advantage in its rivalry with UConn, dating back to 1941. The Wildcats won last year’s game, but UConn had won five of the prior six meetings, including a 77-65 win in a second-round, NCAA tournament game en route to a national title in 2014.

The teams will finish this three-game series next season in Philadelphia.