Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - The 18th-ranked Villanova Wildcats hit the road for a Big East Conference clash with the Seton Hall Pirates.

Villanova carried a four-game winning streak into its league opener against Marquette last Thursday, and that road clash resulted in a 79-72 setback. The Wildcats are now 12-2 overall, but they need a victory tonight to avoid an 0-2 start in what many consider to be the nation's top conference. The only other loss thus far came against Texas, and it can be argued that 'Nova has yet to beat a strong opponent in 2008-09.

Seton Hall has lost two straight decisions and four of the last five overall to fall to 9-5 on the season. The Pirates have been blown out in both of their Big East games thus far, including a 92-66 thrashing at home against West Virginia on Saturday.

Villanova owns a 59-36 series lead over Seton Hall, which includes six straight wins over the Pirates.

Dante Cunningham has emerged as the top player on the Villanova roster this season. The standout forward is scoring 16.9 ppg on 56.2 percent shooting from the floor, and he is pulling down 7.6 rpg as well. Scottie Reynolds checks in with 14.2 ppg, and that average would be even better if not for his 37.7 percent overall shooting. Corey Stokes adds 11.3 ppg to the VU lineup, and Corey Fisher is close behind with his 10.8 ppg. The Wildcats are netting 74.0 ppg while limiting opponents to 59.1 ppg on 38.4 percent field goal efficiency. In the seven-point loss to Marquette on New Year's Day, Fisher exploded for 21 points off the bench, and Cunningham finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Reynolds scored 15 points for the 'Cats, who had five more turnovers than assists and were outscored by five points at the foul line.

Jeremy Hazell has led Seton Hall in scoring in all but two games this season, and he is racking up an impressive 22.9 ppg. Robert Mitchell checks in with 15.3 ppg, and he is pulling down 8.8 rpg. Eugene Harvey, the third and final double-digit scorer on the roster, provides 12.9 ppg, and his 63 assists are tops. The Pirates are generating 76.4 ppg while allowing 71.6 ppg, but that positive differential was not reflected in Saturday's game against West Virginia. Hazell poured in 29 points, but the rest of the team combined for just 37 points. Seton Hall finished that tilt with only eight assists against 15 turnovers, and the club suffered a 39-28 rebounding disadvantage as well. Defensively, the Pirates permitted 53.3 percent shooting from the floor to the Mountaineers.