Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell-Villanova Men's Basketball Game Sold Out
11/29/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 29, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Dec. 6 Bucknell-Villanova men's basketball game is sold out of all tickets, including the general public and Bucknell students, faculty and staff. Fourth-ranked Villanova will be the highest-ranked team ever to play in three-year-old Sojka Pavilion, and the contest will be the first official sellout in the 4,000-seat facility. It is also expected to be the largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game on the Bucknell campus.
Both Bucknell and Villanova are experiencing renewed success on the hardwood. The Bison are coming off a 23-10 season, a Patriot League championship and their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, a 64-63 upset of third-seeded Kansas last March. With all five starters back, Bucknell is off to a 3-0 start, including a 74-69 victory over No. 17 Syracuse last Tuesday in the Carrier Dome.
The Bison have now knocked off three top-20 teams since last January, and although they are listed just outside the top 25 in both the Associated Press (29th) and ESPN/USA TODAY Coaches' Polls (32nd), they are receiving the most votes in school history.
Coached by 1983 Bucknell graduate Jay Wright, Villanova is playing at its highest level since winning the national championship in 1985. The Wildcats finished 24-8 last year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, where they lost a 67-66 decision to eventual national champion North Carolina. This year, Villanova was picked as the preseason favorite in the Big East.
The Bison have two tough road games prior to the Villanova contest. They visit defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Niagara on Wednesday night, then Bucknell travels to Chicago to take on Big East newcomer DePaul on Saturday afternoon.
The Bucknell-Villanova game can be heard live on Eagle 107 (WEGH 107.3-FM) in Central Pennsylvania as well as on the internet at www.BucknellBison.com.
For tickets to future Bucknell basketball contests, call the ticket office at 570-577-1000, stop by the Weis Center or Elaine Langone Center box offices Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Weis Center open until 5 p.m.), or visit Bucknell's online ticket center at www.bucknell.edu/boxoffice/.
