Losers of five of their last seven games the Villanova University men's basketball program looks to build momentum Thursday before its begins Big East Conference play, as the Wildcats (6-5) host American University (8-4) in a non-conference game at the Pavilion. This will be the final non-league contest for Villanova which begins Big East play next Wednesday, Dec. 28, at West Virginia University.
Junior guard Maalik Wayns enters the game pacing the Wildcats in scoring (17.9 points per game) and assists (4.9 per game), while junior forward Mouphtaou Yarou is averaging 13.8 ppg and a team-best 8.3 rebounds per game. However, that's about all the offense that Villanova is getting, as the Wildcats are ranked 99th in the nation in average points per game (72.8) and 230th in field goal percentage (42.0-percent).
Meanwhile, the Eagles have lost their last two games but before their latest skid had rallied off eight straight victories, including a 66-60 edging of Saint Joseph's, Dec 4.
Senior guard Charles Hinkle leads American in scoring with 21.4 ppg. Hinkle is averaging 35.8 minutes per game and jacks up about seven 3-pointers per contest. Senior guard Troy Brewer is also averaging double-digits in scoring with 14.1 ppg.
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