A closer look at the schedule

Villanova opens the 2008-2009 season versus Albany at the Pavilion. Bilal Benn will make his return to the Pavilion in Villanova's opening game of the Philly Classic against Niagara. Villanova won't face a real threat until the final round of the Philly Classic when they will play either Penn State or Rhode Island. As usual the Wildcats will playfour Big 5 games, with the biggest tests coming from Temple and St. Joseph's, teams that both made the NCAA Tournament last season. The highlight of the non-conference schedule is Texas, at Madison Square Garden as a part of the Jimmy V Classic. Villanova will play a total of eighteen Big East games, with home-and-homes against Marquette, Syracuse, and Providence.

My early season prediction is that Villanova goes undefeated in non-conference play and 12-6 in the Big East to finish 25-6 on season, making their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.