Syracuse Vs. Villanova: Game Time, TV, Radio & Prediction

The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team will be looking for a critical victory for its NCAA Tournament portfolio Saturday afternoon, when they visit the No. 7-ranked Villanova Wildcats for a non-conference showdown at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Orange (6-3) are coming off a 71-69 victory over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs last Sunday. Senior center Rakeem Christmas netted the game-winning basket in the closing seconds to help SU snap a two-game losing streak. Christmas finished the contest with 13 points and two rebounds, while junior guard Trevor Cooney added a game-best 25 points. Sophomore forward Tyler Roberson had his best game as an Orange scoring 14 points and snagging 17 rebounds.

After playing one contest in a 14-day stretch, Syracuse will play its next four games in 11 days. The run will conclude SU's non-conference schedule, which ends with three straight home games against Colgate, Long Beach State and Cornell, respectively.

The stretch will be key for the Orange's NCAA resume, which has yet to included a big win. A victory on the road against a top-10 opponent would be that big win.

Overall, SU is hoping to get a team effort that includes not turning the ball over more than 10 times, which has not happened yet this season.

For the second straight season Villanova plays Syracuse with an undefeated record. Last season, the Orange put a kibosh to the Wildcats' unbeaten start with a 78-62 loss.

Eight of nine players who played in the loss at the Dome are on this year's roster. Returning are four starters: senior guard Darrun Hilliard, junior center Daniel Ochefu, senior forward JayVaughn Pinkston and junior guard Ryan Arcidiacono. Junior guard Dylan Ennis was promoted from the bench for this year's match up.

Other players that played last season were sophomore guard Josh Hart (10.1 ppg), sophomore forward Kris Jenkins (7.7 ppg) and sophomore forward Darryl Reynolds (2.7 ppg).

'Nova is coming off victories over then, nationally-ranked Illinois (73-59) and Temple (85-62), respectively. Ennis scored 18 points in the win over the Fighting Illini, while Hart and Hilliard each scored 20 points against the Owls.

This will be the 71st meeting between the former Big East Conference rivals. SU is 39-32 against Villanova and has four of the last five meetings. The Wildcats' last victory over the Orange came in January 2013, when they won at the Wells Fargo Center, 75-71. 'Nova's Hillard netted a game-high 25 points in the victory.

Game Time: 1 p.m. ET

Television: FOX

Radio: Syracuse IMG Radio Network

Point Spread: Villianova (-11.5)

Meaningless Prediction: Syracuse 65, Villanova 61

It's going to take a great defensive effort for the Orange to pull-off a victory against the Wildcats. The 2-3 zone maybe able to limit 'Nova's 3-point shooting and SU's inside play should be a match-up it can use to its advantage.

It's a long shot, but look for the Orange to at least cover the spread in this game. I am going for the straight up win.