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CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Nobody on the current Villanova roster had even been born the last time the Wildcats stood alone atop the Big East. The 32-year drought ended Thursday night when Darrun Hilliard scored 19 points and No. 6 Villanova clinched the outright Big East championship for the first time since the 1981-82 season by holding off undermanned Xavier 77-70. The Wildcats, playing before a hostile standing-room only crowd of 10,340 in their first visit to Cintas Center, overcame a determined Musketeers team in what Villanova coach Jay Wright described as a "great, intense college basketball environment." "Youre not going to win championships unless you win on the road," Wright said. "We have great respect for this league. To win this league is a hell of an accomplishment." JayVaughn Pinkston added 15 points -- eight in the last 3:20 -- James Bell finished with 12 and Ryan Arcidiacono chipped in 11 as the Wildcats (27-3, 15-2 Big East) extended their school record for regular-season wins with their fifth straight and 11th in their last 12 games. They also clinched the top seed in the Big East tournament, which starts Wednesday at Madison Square Garden in New York. "This is a big accomplishment," Bell said. "Its a testament to how hard weve worked, but we cant stop there." The Wildcats went into the night with a 1 1-2 game lead over No. 13 Creighton in the Big East and two games remaining. The Bluejays have one game to play. Villanova, which last shared the title in a co-championship with Syracuse in 2005-06, wraps up its regular season Saturday at home against Georgetown. Justin Martin had 20 points for Xavier (20-11, 10-8) while Semaj Christon added 18 points and Isaiah Philmore finished with 15. The Musketeers ended the regular season with consecutive losses. Xavier struggled from 3-point range finishing 6 of 23, while Villanova was 9 for 23. The game was Xaviers first without 6-foot-10 junior centre Matt Stainbrook, who started each of the Musketeers previous 30 before straining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in their 71-62 loss at Seton Hall on Monday. Stainbrook watched the game from the bench wearing a tan suit and bow tie. "Us not having Matt was tough, but I think we learned more about each other," Philmore said. "It didnt turn out the way we wanted it to, obviously, but we stuck together. It just wasnt enough. Sometimes, its not always enough." Xaviers regular-season finale was its second consecutive home game against a Top 10 team and the second straight to attract a standing-room only crowd. The Wildcats never trailed after Arcidiacono made two free throws for a 29-28 lead with 5:11 left in the first half. Villanova, which beat Xavier 81-58 on Feb. 3 for the Musketeers worst loss of the season, led by as many as 12 points. The lead dwindled to three before Josh Hart and Bell made two free throws each in the final 19.4 seconds. "We knew they wouldnt go away," Wright said. "They played without one of their best players. We caught a break there." The Wildcats had no surprises, Musketeers coach Chris Mack said. "They were what we saw on film," he said. "This was our first game without Matt, so that was a little bit different, but we competed. We didnt quite have enough to beat Villanova." Hilliard, averaging 14.1 points per game, had 15 to help the Wildcats take a 41-36 halftime lead. Martin, who went into the game averaging 11.2 points, scored 12 in the first half for Xavier. Discount Shoes Australia . Wrights first stint with Milwaukee was on a 10-day contract from March 14-23. He played in two games, averaging six points and two rebounds in 16. Cheap Sneakers Online Australia . After a tight first half, the Croatians took command in Reykjavik after Skulason was dismissed for a professional foul in the 51st minute, but couldnt find a way past Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson and his packed defence. Eduardo had a weak shot cleared away from near the goalline after barely a minute for Croatia, whose substitute Ivica Olic forced a fine reaction save from Halldorsson in the 55th. http://www.wholesalesneakersaustralia.com/. The Toronto Argonauts (11-7) look for an opportunity to repeat as CFL champions when they host the surging Hamilton Tiger-Cats (10-8) on Sunday. Cheap Sneakers Australia .com) - Rick Nash scored twice and Derek Stepan chipped in a goal with one assist as the New York Rangers claimed a 5-2 decision over Calgary at the Saddledome. Wholesale Sneakers Australia . Perhaps their first trip to the city of Winnipeg in 16 years can serve as the shakeup they need.This time last year there were doubts as to whether Chip Kellys fast-paced offence would translate well into the NFL. Those no longer exist. The questions this year are mostly just how potent the Philadelphia Eagles offence can become under Kelly, entering his second year as head coach. The Eagles were the second ranked offence last season, and theres reason to believe they could challenge to be the best this year. A lot of the pieces are there, led by dual threat running back Lesean McCoy and talented, come-from-nowhere quarterback Nick Foles. The final part of the equation could bet the receivers. With Desean Jackson now in Washington – and some arguing that move was addition by subtraction – the Eagles are left without a leader among their pass catchers, but a number of talented players who appear ready to increase their role and their impact on games for the Eagles. Jeremy Maclin is on many a fantasy experts breakout watch heading into the season. Despite hovering around the 1,000-yard mark in each of his four seasons, Maclin has yet to crack the mark. That figures to change if the 26-year-old can stay healthy a year after tearing his ACL and missing the whole season. “I just know him from what Ive seen of him (before the injury),” Eagles receivers coach Bob Bicknell told The Times of Trenton regarding Maclin. “And he looks the same. Hes catching the ball, making plays. I dont think hes lost anything from the injury.” With Maclin moving up a slot to take Jacksons No. 1 targets, Riley Cooper will slot into the No. 2 hole, previously held by Maclin when healthy. Cooper had a terrible start to the 2013 season when a video emerged of him making racist comments. The soon-to-bet 27-year-old worked hard to re-earn the trust of his teammates and take advantage of his opportunities to produce a career-year. Like Maclin, Cooper has a sshot at 1,000 yards in the Eagles strong offence.dddddddddddd You can add McCoy and the teams two tight ends to the cast of players that should contribute to Foles likely gaudy passing numbers. McCoy will continue to be used a ton in the Eagles high octane offence, and could improve on his 539 receiving yards from a year ago. Phillys top two tight ends, Brent Celek and Zach Ertz, combined for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns. If one emerges and garners most of Foles targets, they could join Maclin and Cooper as 1,000 yard threats. Second-round pick Jordan Matthews is another solid addition to the plethora of options for Foles to look to as well. “We have some options,” Bicknell told The Times of Trenton ahead of training camp. “Our room is a little different this year. Theres been some change, but that makes it fun. Its challenging. I like our room.” Until Maclin, or even Cooper proves theyre a bona fide No. 1 in this league, Foles will be without the pure go-to receiver he had last year in Jackson. But the formidable depth of the Eagles pass catchers this year will go a long way in helping Foles from seeing any dip in production from his Pro Bowl 2013. Notes While the offence will be great again this season, the defence needs some work. The Eagles are hoping the continuity gained from a second year under defensive coordinator Bill Davis will be enough to improve on their 29th overall ranking last season and 32nd against the pass. If continuity isnt enough, the Eagles did add a number of defensive backs, including veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins, to help shore up the teams troubles against the pass. The Eagles used two early picks to add to their deep receiving corps in Jordan Matthews (second round) and Joss Huff (third), but their first round pick was spent on defence, grabbing edge rusher Marcus Smith out of Louisville. ' ' '