Since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, no 16-seed has ever upset a number one.
And while No. 1-seed Villanova could easily look ahead to matchups against teams like Wisconsin, Arizona or Boston College in later rounds, the Wildcats (25-4) have an interesting challenge in their first round against Monmouth.
The Hawks (19-14) aren't a typical basketball team. They use a methodical Princeton-style offense, an intricate defense and have a baby Shaq off the bench.
Monmouth's offense, like that of the Tigers, stretches out the defense and looks for backdoor cuts. The Hawks don't shoot particularly well from three but are efficient from the field, hitting 44.3 percent.
As for the defense, Monmouth employs a matchup zone much like the one Temple plays. This has stuffed opponents recently, refusing to allow 50 points in each of the last three games -- all must-win situations.
Villanova has spent the week preparing for the matchup zone.
"We're going to keep guys moving, pick our spots for our jump-shooters and Kyle [Lowry] and Randy [Foye] will try to get in the lane like they've done all year," Villanova guard Mike Nardi said.
But Monmouth's defense is famous not for its unusual style but for holding Princeton to 21 points this year, the lowest total since the inception of the three-point line in 1986. In the Hawks' 41-21 win, the Tigers shot a miserable 22 percent from the field.
But the team from West Long Branch, N.J. was not satisfied with the performance.
"They're an in-state rival and to hold them to 21 points, it was great. But I was a little frustrated, to tell you the truth," joked senior guard Chris Kenny. "I like to go for the jugular when I play. We had them at 19; I really wanted to keep them under 20. They scored with two seconds left, so I was frustrated with the effort."
Monmouth also has a 7-foot-2, 320-pound forward as a reserve in John Bunch. The junior is still raw, and, according to his coach, if he lost some weight he would be playing on the other side of the spectrum, with a team like Villanova.
A small team like the Wildcats -- who start four guards -- could struggle against Bunch.
"The key is just trying to get the ball up over him," Big East Player of the Year Randy Foye said. "He's going to be a handful juts boxing him out and getting him out of the lane to try to rebound over him."
As for guard Allan Ray, his eye is almost back to normal. After getting poked in the eye (by family friend Carl Krauser) in a Big East game, it was feared he sustained a serious injury, but his sight is fine, and he will play tonight.
8 Arizona vs. 9 Wisconsin
While the following game involves a Philadelphia team, the local connection is evident in the first matchup of the day.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is a city native. He played at Chester -- the same high school as former Saint Joseph's guard Jameer Nelson. As for Arizona, guard Mustafa Shakur played at Friends Central, and is from inner-city Philadelphia.
"It's great to be back home," the junior said. "From 10th and Olney to the Wachovia Center."
Wisconsin is led by 6-foot-5 swingman and Big 10 All-First Team Alando Tucker, while Arizona is paced by guard Hassan Adams, who averages 17.3 points.
8 Kentucky vs. 9 UAB
In what is sure to be the most entertaining game of the night, Kentucky will try to combat UAB's pressure -- referred to as "40 minutes of hell" -- who pulled a 1-9 upset over the Wildcats in 2004.
The Blazers are led by senior guard Squeaky Johnson, who's assist-to-turnover ratio is 3.2. Kentucky relies on its talented youth of sophomores Rajon Rondo and 6-10 forward Randolph Morris.
1 UConn vs. 16 Albany
The Huskies, a popular pick for national champion, first must get by the Great Danes.
Connecticut (27-3) is hoping to bounce back from a loss to Syracuse in the Big East Tournament.
