Pictures: UConn Vs. Villanova A Great Big East Rivalry

Philadelphia 2/2/00 Jake Voskuhl and Edmund Saunders put the squeeze on Ricky Wright of Villanova during the first half Wednesday night at the First Union Center in Philadelphia.The University of Connecticut traveled to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ to face the Wildcats of Villanova Wednesday night at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. (Digital) Photo by JOHN WOIKE - THE HARTFORD COURANT UConn men’s team UConn women’s team  (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 1/13/02 Taliek Brown put the clamps on Gary Buchanan of Villanova as he was driving to the hoop with 1:13 remaining Sunday afternoon to force a jump ball and give the Huskies the possesion on the turnover with the score at 64-61 in favor of UConn. Scott Hazelton gives brown some defensive backup on the play.   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

UConn forward Richard Hamilton stuffs two points in the first half against Villanova at the Civic Center as Ricky Moore (21) watches.   (Richard Messina / The Hartford Courant)

Richard Hamilton is carried off the court by Jake Voskuhl during a time-out Monday night. Hamilton was high scorer for the Huskies in their victory over Villanova.   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Ricky Moore gets hacked by T.J. Caouette, #50, of Villanova during the first half of Monday nights Big East basketball game at the Hartford Civic Center. Caouette was called for a flagrant foul onthe play, one of two issued in Monday nigths game.   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 1/13/02 Emeka Okafor gets up on Ricky Wright of Villanova Sunday afternoon at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. Okafor blocked 4 shots and hauled in 8 rebounds to help the Huskies to a 70-65 victory. (  (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

PHILADELPHIA - PA - 02/20/12 - UConn’s bench reacts after an out-of-bounds ball is placed in their possession during OT as the Huskies beat Villanova 73-70 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.   (Bettina Hansen / Hartford Courant)

PHILADELPHIA - PA - 02/20/12 - UConn’s bench goes crazy for Alex Oriakhi’s shot against Villanova that tied the game at 60 with 23 seconds left. The Huskies pulled out a 73-70 win against the Wildcats in OT at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.   (Bettina Hansen / Hartford Courant)

PHILADELPHIA - PA - 02/20/12 - UConn’s Shabazz Napier gives the sign with a yell from Alex Oriakhi after sinking three with seconds left to beat Villanova 73-70 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.   (Bettina Hansen / Hartford Courant)

PHILADELPHIA - PA - 02/20/12 - UConn’s Shabazz Napier gets a huge hug from Ryan Boatright and cheers from Alex Oriakhi and Roscoe Smith after sinking three with seconds left to beat Villanova 73-70 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.   (Bettina Hansen / Hartford Courant)

PHILADELPHIA - PA - 02/20/12 - UConn’s Roscoe Smith, bottom left, and Andre Drummond, middle, guard Villanova forward Markus Kennedy during the first half of their basketball game at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia. The Huskies and Wildcats are tied 30-30 at the half.   (Bettina Hansen / Hartford Courant)

Josh Boone and Ed Nelson watch as Jeff Adrien misses a free throw in the closing minutes against Villanova. The Wildcats had an upset win over UConn 69-64. The University of Connecticut Huskies play the Villanova Wildcats at the Wachovia Center.   (MICHAEL MCANDREWS / Hartford Courant)

Rudy Gay walks off the court at Villanova fans rush the floor after UConn lost to the Wilscats 64-69. Gay had a team high 19 points. The University of Connecticut Huskies play the Villanova Wildcats at the Wachovia Center. Michael McAndrews/The Hartford Courant ORG XMIT: 0008434A UConn men’s team  (MICHAEL MCANDREWS / Hartford Courant)

HARTFORD 2/2/05 UConn men’s basketball vs. Villanova at the Hartford Civic Center. UConn’s Marcus Williams has the ball stripped from behind by Villanova’s Mike Nardi, at right, during the their game. The Huskies had trouble keeping up with Villanova’s quick three guard line up, including Kyle Lowry, at left, but UConn prevailed 81-76. (DIGITAL) Bob MacDonnell/The Hartford Courant UConn men’s team  (BOB MACDONNELL / The Hartford Courant)

HARTFORD 2/2/05 UConn men’s basketball vs. Villanova at the Hartford Civic Center. UConn’s Hilton Armstrong expresses himself after dunking a rebound over Villanova’s Curtis Sumpter during the their game. Armstrong provided UConn a lift, especially emotionally, in what was a physical and foul plagued game, scoring five points, and grabbing 10 rebounds as UConn prevailed 81-76.   (BOB MACDONNELL / The Hartford Courant)

Storrs, CT. 2/28/07 Hasheem Thabeet reacts after being fouled and making the shot against Villanova during the first half. Thabeet improved his offense Wednesday night scoring 7 points and grabbing 9 rebounds but freshmen Scottie Reynold scored 40 points, the most at Gampel, in a 78-74 Wildcat victory.   (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 2-15-2010 UConn senior guard Jerome Dyson, 11, gets the ball away after tight defense by Villanova junior guard Corey Fisher, 10, during the first half. The University of Connecticut mens basketball team played Villanova University at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA, Monday night.   (Richard Messina / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 2-15-2010 UConn sophomore guard Kemba Walker, 15, smiles after gaining control of a loose ball during the first half. The University of Connecticut mens basketball team played Villanova University at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA, Monday night. Digital Photo by Richard Messina | rmessina@courant.com ORG XMIT: 10013354A  (Richard Messina / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 2-15-2010 UConn senior forward Stanley Robinson, 21, reaches over Villanova junior guard Corey Fisher, 10, for a foul during the first half. The University of Connecticut mens basketball team played Villanova University at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA, Monday night.   (Richard Messina / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 2-15-2010 UConn sophomore guard Kemba Walker, 15, reaches for the ball as Villanova junior guard Corey Fisher, 10, tries to steal the ball during the first half. Walker got control of this loose ball. The University of Connecticut mens basketball team played Villanova University at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA, Monday night.   (Richard Messina / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 2-15-2010 UConn UConn Head Coach Jim Calhoun coaches from the bench during the first half. The University of Connecticut mens basketball team played Villanova University at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA, Monday night.   (Richard Messina / Hartford Courant)

Hartford, CT 1/21/09 A.J. Price of UConn reacts after hitting three pointer to tie the score against the Wildcats of Villanova. Price scored 20 points to lead all scorers at the break in a 48 tie. The UConn men’s basketball team played Villanova Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford.   (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

Hartford, CT 1/21/09 Hasheem Thabeet of UConn is fouled by Dante Cunningham of Villanova during the first half. UConn of Villanova were tied at 48 at the half. Thabeet had 6 points and 2 rebounds while Cuningham had 4 points and 2 rebounds. The UConn men’s basketball team played Villanova Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford. (DIGITAL) Photo by JOHN WOIKE | woike@courant.com  (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

HARTFORD, CT; 2/16/2013: UConn’s Leon Tolksdorf and Neils Giffey double tean Villanova forward JayVaughn Pinkston in the 1st half at the XL Center in Hartford Saturday. Pinkston had 14 points in the 70-61 win over UConn. MICHAEL McANDREWS | mmcandrews@courant.com ORG XMIT: B582400777Z.1  (MICHAEL McANDREWS / Hartford Courant)

New York City, NY 3/12/04 Ben Gordon takes it to the hoop as Randy Foye (L), Curtis Sumpter (C) and Jason Fraser (R) of Villanova defend and block his shot during the first half Friday night. UConn and Villanova played Friday night in the semi-finals of the Big East Championship at Madison Square Garden. (DIGITAL) Photo by JOHN WOIKE - THE HARTFORD COURANT UConn men’s team  (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Storrs, CT. 2/28/07 UConn head coach Jim Calhoun looks to his assistants (L to R) Rod Seller, George Blaney, Andre Lafluer and Tom Moore before turning his attention to his team during a timeout against Villanova Wednesday night. There were plenty of long faces at the end of the line as the Huskies failed once again to put a game away when it was within reach. Missing 20 of 44 free throws didn’t help and the inablity to stop freshmen Scottie Reynolds from dropping 40 points, the most at Gampel Pavilion, in a 78-74 loss.   (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

Hartford, CT 1/21/09 A.J. Price (R) gives Jerome Dyson a chest thump after Dyson jammed the ball on a steal and drew an intentional foul from Corey Stokes of Villanova. Price had a career night scoring 29 points hitting 4 of 6 three pointers and Dyson added 19 in a 89-83 victory. The UConn men’s basketball team played Villanova Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford.   (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

Hartford, CT 1/21/09 Jerome Dyson of UConn flys in for the tomahawk jam as he’s fouled from behind by Corey Stokes of Villanova during the second half. Stokes was called for an intentional foul, Dyson made both freethrows and UConn retained possesion of the ball taking a 64-59 lead with 13:58 remaining. Dyson scored 19 points in a 89-83 victory while Stokes scored 12. The UConn men’s basketball team played Villanova Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford.   (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

Storrs, CT. 2/28/07 UConn point guard A.J. Price glances up at the score board with less than a minute left against Villanova Wednesday night. Price had 6 points nad 7 assists but Wildcat freshmen Scottie Reynolds dropped 40 points, the most at Gampel Pavilion, on the Huskies in a 78-74 loss. (DIGITAL) Photo by JOHN WOIKE - THE HARTFORD COURANT UConn men’s team  (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

New York City, NY 3/10/04 Charlie Villanueva takes a shot over Curtis Sumpter of Villanova during the first half Friday night. Villanueva started his second straight game in place of injured Emeka Okafor. UConn and Villanova played Friday night in the semi-finals of the Big East Championship at Madison Square Garden.   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

New York City, NY 3/10/04 Charlie Villaneuva lets out a yell after scoring his first points of the game during eh start of the second half Friday night. Villanueva made a three for his first points. UConn and Villanova played Friday night in the semifinals of the Big East Championship at Madison Square Garden.   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Hartford, CT 1/21/09 Villanova head coach Jay Wright can’t believe the call as his Wildcats battles against the Huskies Wednesday night. UConn, behind a career high 29 points from A.J. Price, held on for a 89-83 victory. The UConn men’s basketball team played Villanova Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford.   (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant )

Hartford, CT 1/21/09 UConn head coach Jim Calhoun watches his team from his knee during eh second half against Villanova in a89-83 victory. Calhoun attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama yesterday. The UConn men’s basketball team played Villanova Wednesday night at the XL Center in Hartford.   (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

New York City, NY 3/12/04 Josh Boone rejected the shot of Jason Fraser of Villanova during the first half Friday night. UConn and Villanova played Friday night in the semifinals of the Big East Championship at Madison Square Garden.   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 2/23/08 A.J. Price doesn’t like the taste of a 67-65 loss to VIllanova Saturday afternoon at the Wachovia Center. Price missed the front end of a two shot foul with 6.4 seconds remaining and the Huskies down 66-64, he made the second but UConn couldn’t stop the Wildcats from taking a 67-65 victory putting an end the the Huskies 10 game wining streak. The UConn men played Villanova at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA., Saturday afternoon. (DIGITAL) Photo by JOHN WOIKE - THE HARTFORD COURANT UConn men’s team  (JOHN WOIKE / Hartford Courant)

STORRS 2/26/06 UConn’s Jeff Adrien looks for an outlet around Villanova’s Will Sheridan during second half action at Gampel Pavilion. Adrien (8 points) helped get UConn the big win over their Big East rival with a final score of 89-75.   (Cloe Poisson / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA. 2/28/04 Emeka Okafor had only two blocks Saturday afternoon but as Randy Foye of VIllanova found out he knows when they count. Both of Okafor’s blocks came against Foye as he drove the lane in regulation with .9 seconds remaining and the scored tied at 66 and in overtime for the win with .1 seconds remaining and the Huskies up by one 75-74. Randy Foye of Villanova can only watch as Ben Gordon’s three point attemp floats from his hands to the hoop during the second half Saturday afternoon to cut the Wildcats lead to 62-61 with 2:10 remaining. Gordon scored 21 points hitting 5 of nine from three to help the Huskies to a 75-74 overtime victory. The UConn men played Villanova Saturday afternoon at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia 2/2/00 The University of Connecticut traveled to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ to face the Wildcats of Villanova Wednesday night at the First Union Center in Philadelphia.Villa players # 5 Ricky Wright ( on the left) and #15 Malik Allen defend against UConn’s Edmund Saunders   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia 2/2/00 After a thunderous dunk during the first half Souleymane Wane recieves a kiss on the forehead from Edmund Saunders and a hug from Khalid El-Amin as Ricky Wright of Villanova watches the Huskies lead increase to eight at the half. Wane scored nine points and seven rebounds to help the Huskie to a 74-60 victory. The University of Connecticut traveled to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ to face the Wildcats of Villanova Wednesday night at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. (Digital) Photo by JOHN WOIKE - THE HARTFORD COURANT UConn men’s team  (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 2/10/01 The disappointment is evidenet on Taliek Brown and Edmund Saunders faces as they watch the final seconds tick off the clock in Philadelphia Saturday afternoon an lose again to Villanova 74-60 at the First Union Center. Brown fouled out of the game and finished with 6 points, 3 assists, 3 turnovers and 4 rebounds while Saunders had 11 points, 0 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals and 5 boards. (DIGITAL) Photo by JOHN WOIKE - THE HARTFORD COURANT UConn men’s team  (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Hartford 1-24-2001 -- Jim Calhoun gives his team a lecture during the second half. From left are Caron Butler, Albert Mouring and Taliek Brown. The University of Connecticut lost to Villanova University at the Hartford Civic Center by a score of 70-59.   (Richard Messina / Hartford Courant)

Philadelphia, PA 2/10/01 The Frustration is apparent on Caron Butler’s face after being called for back to back turnovers midway through the first half Saturday afternoon and the Huskies up by one. Butler was 5 of 17 on field goal attempts for the game, 4 assists and 4 turnovers as the Huskies go down to Villanova 74-60 at the First Union Center.   (John Woike / Hartford Courant)