After snapping their six game losing streak on Saturday night against Seton Hall, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights head into the home stretch of the regular season with a Thursday night matchup against Villanova.
It's the first tilt this season between the two teams who stand just a game apart in the bottom tier of the Big East standings. Villanova, who has been to seven straight NCAA tournaments, has struggled throughout season, particularly away from home, where they've won just one game. Junior guard Maalik Wayns, the Wildcats top scorer, returned in Villanova's recent loss at Georgetown after suffering a sprained MCL and missing three games. He finished with just three points in 36 minutes, and hopes to find his scoring touch on Thursday at Rutgers.
With a pair of wins to finish off the regular season, the Scarlet Knights will jump up the Big East standings in advance of the conference tournament, which is set to begin next Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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