The scalpers who have watched their profits fall with the Eagles' decline this season might have a way to get back some of their money.

Ticket demand for tomorrow's 5 p.m. tipoff between No. 4 Villanova and No. 5 Oklahoma at the Pavilion - the first time two Top 5 teams have ever squared off there - is driving prices so high, it's making ducats bought in the shadows of the Linc on game day look cheap.

A quick search of some online ticket brokers turned up some eye-popping numbers - $570 per ticket at ticketsnow.com. More than one enterprising student - economic majors no doubt - put their free seats up for bid on eBay, with opening offers of $100.

Most, however, are just clamoring to get in the 6,500-seat building. Athletic director Vince Nicastro said 3,600 students had applied for the student-ticket lottery of roughly 1,400 tickets. Only 6,000 students comprise Villanova's undergraduate population.

"That's what's really unique about this game - the student interest," Nicastro said.

Normally this game would have been played at the more spacious Wachovia Center. But the building is an NCAA Tournament first- and second-round site this season, and if Villanova wants to preserve a chance at a short ride down the Blue Route to begin its tournament run, it can play only three games there.

Four games would make the Wachovia Center a homecourt in the NCAA's eyes and NCAA rules prohibit teams from playing tourney games on a home floor. Syracuse, Louisville and UConn will meet the Wildcats there.

In other Villanova news, coach Jay Wright was named USA Basketball Co-Developmental Coach of the Year for leading the Americans to an unbeaten record and the gold medal at the World University Games last summer in Turkey. He shared the award with Harvard's Kathy Delaney-Smith, who accomplished the same feat with the women's team. Source>>>

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posted by ADMIN @ Saturday, December 03, 2005