The top-ranked Villanova Wildcats will enter Saturday's Big East matchup against Marquette in an unusual position.
For the first time since dropping last season's Big East Tournament title game against Seton Hall, the Wildcats will take the court following the loss. When Villanova was ousted by the Pirates, it rallied to win all six games in the NCAA Tournament on its way to a national championship.
The Wildcats (14-1, 2-1) won 20 straight games overall before No. 18 Butler defeated them 66-58 Wednesday night at raucous Hinkle Fieldhouse. The task now is to rebound against a tough Marquette (10-4, 1-1) team Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center, home of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's Flyers.