Villanova-ND

Villanova at Notre Dame

Notre Dame (23-5, 12-4) has won nine of its last 10, all of which were Big East games. With a victory Monday, it would secure a double-bye in the conference tournament while staying in the thick of the race for the league title.

The ninth-ranked Irish will try to do so as they look to go undefeated at home for the first time in three years.

Ben Hansbrough leads the Irish in scoring with 18 ppg and averages a team-high foour apg as well.  Tim Abromitas is averaging 15 ppg and six rpg.  The third Notre Dame in double figures, Carleton Scott, is pouring in 11 ppg and a team-high seven rpg.

Villanova is doing the opposite of what Notre Dame has done.  The Wildcats have lost four of their past six games and stumbled down the Big East standings after a strong start, just as it did last season. The Wildcats opened 2009-10 by winning 20 of 21 but lost five of their final nine regular-season games.

Leading scorer Corey Fisher has struggled badly over the past two games, totaling 10 points and shooting 4 of 26. Fisher is averaging 15.5 points, but has been held to 12 or fewer in four of the last five contests.  Prediction: Notre Dame 86-77