Preview: Villanova Wildcats at Butler Bulldogs

INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Villanova Wildcats look to solidify their standing in the Big East when they visit the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday.

Villanova (17-5, 8-3 Big East) enters on a two-game winning streak following a 69-56 victory over DePaul on Saturday. The Wildcats have won seven of their last nine, with their only losses in that span coming on the road against ranked foes Connecticut and St. John’s.

Butler (9-13, 4-7), meanwhile, seeks to halt a two-game skid after a narrow 63-59 loss at Xavier on Sunday. The Bulldogs have struggled for consistency in conference play but are 6-5 at home this season.

The Wildcats won the first meeting this season, 73-65, at home on Jan. 18. Villanova’s Ryanne Allen scored 12 points in that contest. The sophomore guard is averaging 12.4 points over her last five games, including a 17-point, seven-rebound performance against DePaul.

Butler will counter with senior guard Saniya Jackson, who is coming off a 22-point outing in a win over DePaul on Jan. 21. Jackson logged 37 minutes and contributed nine points, five rebounds and three assists in the earlier loss to Villanova.

Villanova’s offense runs through guard Jasmine Bascoe, who erupted for 27 points and five assists in the win over DePaul. Butler will rely on forwards Caroline Dotsey and Addison Baxter, who combined for 23 points in the loss to Xavier.

A Villanova win would keep pressure on the league’s top tier, while Butler aims to play spoiler and improve its seeding for the upcoming conference tournament. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST.