Villanova is everything that UConn is not.

The top-ranked Wildcats live in the national spotlight, the Huskies reside in the shadows.

The Wildcats are a lethal team, averaging 88.3 points and shooting 52 percent from the field. The Huskies are offensively-challenged, scoring 68.8 points and converting 41 percent.

They're deep and balanced as opposed to UConn's limited resources.

Villanova (17-1) has steamrolled its competition, winning eight games by at least 20 points. Only some offensive fireworks from Butler, which posted a 101-93 upset win, prevented the Wildcats from remaining undefeated.

UConn (10-8) has struggled to beat mid-major teams and suffered some ugly losses, dropping four games by at least 20 points for the first time since the 1986-87 season.

So it would be a monumental upset if UConn upset its former Big East rival in Saturday's nationally-televised game at the XL Center in Hartford at noon.

The only number that UConn is focusing on is one.

"To be honest, the only thing I see next to their name is that number, and how much it would mean for this team to get a win against a team of that caliber," sophomore Christian Vital said. "Give credit to them. They've been playing extremely well this year.

"But I feel that we can knock them off."

The challenge becomes even more daunting if second-leading scorer Terry Larrier sits out for the second straight game. Larrier, who's been dealing with headaches, participated in some light, non-contact drills in Friday's practice. He'll be a game-time decision.

"Terry is doing okay," coach Kevin Ollie said. "We're just going to take it day by day. ... We'll figure it out by the morning to see if he's going to be able to go."

Without Larrier on Tuesday, the Huskies scored a season-low 49 points in a 24-point loss at Memphis. They had as many turnovers as field goals with 17.

Villanova could take a similar approach as Memphis and swarm junior Jalen Adams, forcing other Huskies to score. If Adams is contained, that's disaster for UConn, which has only three reliable scorers, including Larrier.

The Huskies have to play their best game for any shot at shocking a No. 1 team for the first time since beating Florida in the 2014 national semifinal. They're 3-8 versus top-ranked foes.

"As a team, we've got to step up and stay connected," Adams said. "We've just got to gut out a win. ... We've got to play fundamentally sound and you've got to capitalize on every possession. You can't play great defense and then give up an offensive rebound. You've just got to finish plays for the full 40 minutes."

Emotion should be on UConn's side. The Huskies, who are 8-1 at home, can feed off the capacity crowd, as long as they stay in the game.

"We need to give them something to cheer for," Vital said. "They're quiet if we're not performing, so it's up to us to make sure they get involved in the game to make it more difficult for the other team to execute."

Vital is looking forward to playing against good friend and former AAU and St. Thomas More teammate Omari Spellman. Another Villanova starter, Eric Paschall, is also an ex-Chancellor.

"I've known him since I was like 12 or 13 years old," Vital said. "Now we're just here and we're going to go at it and compete."

The renewal of the rivalry brings back memories of the Big East glory days when UConn and Villanova regularly clashed.

Ollie faced the Wildcats as a player, assistant coach and now Saturday as head coach at UConn.

"They got the best of me as a player," Ollie said. "We were No. 1 and I remember they beat us by 30 in Gampel, I believe. That wasn't a good memory. But we always had some wars. That year they beat us in the Big East tournament, too. That was the last time I was able to play in the Big East. That kind of hurt."

Ollie was referring to No. 1 UConn's 96-73 loss to Villanova on Feb. 18, 1995, in Storrs and a 94-78 defeat that same season in the Big East title game at Madison Square Garden.

"But (as an assistant) we got them back," Ollie said.

In the last meeting between the two programs, UConn knocked off Villanova 77-65 in a 2014 NCAA second round game in Buffalo on the way to winning the program's fourth national championship.

Now the Huskies are trying to jump back into the national spotlight.

"It's a great opportunity, "Adams said. "We just kind of want to put UConn back on the map."

g.keefe@theday.com

UCONN vs. No. 1 VILLANOVA

Location: XL Center, Hartford

Tip: noon (Ch. 3)

Records: UConn 10-8; Villanova 17-1

Last game: UConn lost at Memphis, 73-49, Tuesday; Villanova won at Georgetown, 88-56, Wednesday

Probable starters: UConn, 6-3 jr. guard Jalen Adams (18.5 pts, 4.9 rebs, 4.2 assists), 6-2 so. guard Christian Vital (13.9 pts), 6-2 grad. guard Antwoine Anderson (6.4 pts), 6-8 fr. forward Isaiah Whaley (3.2 pts, 2.8 rebs), 6-9 freshman forward Josh Carlton (3.8 pts, 3.3 rebs)

Villanova, 6-2 jr. guard Jalen Brunson (18.8 pts, 5.3 assists), 6-3 r-junior guard Phil Booth (11.9 pts), 6-7 r-jr. forward Mikal Bridges (17.4 pts, 5.8 rebs), 6-7 jr. forward Eric Paschall (9.9 pts, 4.3 rebs), 6-8 r-fr. forward Omar Spellman (10.3 pts, 7.3 rebs)

Noteworthy: First game of three-game contract, with ex-Big East rivals meeting next season at MSG in NYC and in 2019-2020 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. ... Series: UConn trails, 33-31, winning five of last six meetings including 77-65 in 2014 NCAA second round in Buffalo. ... Huskies 3-8 all-time vs. top-ranked teams. Winless in three games vs. top 25 foes this season. ... Five Wildcats score in double figures. ... Top reserve: 6-5 guard Donte DiVincenzo (13.1 pts, 4.5 rebs). ... Wildcats 5-1 in true road games. only loss at Butler (101-93) Dec. 30. ... Villanova 6th in nation in 3-pters made at 11.5 per game. ... Wildcats 146-18 since start of 2013-14 season, UConn 103-59. ... Hot: Carlton averaging 12.5 pts, 7.5 rebounds in last 2 games. Cold: Anderson 3 for his last 34 from field, missing 17 straight from three. ... UConn 8-1 at home. ... Playing status: UConn reserve Eric Cobb (suspension) out, starter Terry Larrier (headaches) game time decision. ... Up next: UConn hosts SMU Thursday in AAC action in Storrs.

— Gavin Keefe