Villanova should start scheduling more ranked teams.

The 23rd-ranked Wildcats added a fourth Top 25 victim to their list of victories Wednesday night with a 76-70 win over No. 3 Boston College.

"We're learning how to win," Villanova coach Jay Wright said. "It gives them confidence and experience that's invaluable."

The latest win may be the one that all but seals the first NCAA tournament bid since 1999 for the Wildcats (18-6, 8-5 Big East).

"We were confident we could come in and play well, but we're still not thinking about the NCAAs," said Curtis Sumpter, who played with a sore knee and scored 20 points.

Randy Foye scored 23 points for the Wildcats, who survived a nine-minute stretch without a field goal by going 36-of-41 from the free-throw line. Boston College (22-2, 11-2) closed within one point before Foye banked a 6-footer for a 67-64 lead to end the long stretch without a basket.

"It's very difficult to win a game when the opposing team shoots 41 free throws," Boston College coach Al Skinner said. "We just didn't make the plays that were going to tie it and make them feel uncomfortable. We never got over the hump."

Craig Smith had 18 points for Boston College, while Jared Dudley added 15.

The Wildcats, coming off a win over then-No. 17 Pittsburgh on Sunday, shot 70 percent from 3-point range in the first half and led by 13 points early in the second half.

Dee Brown scored 18 of his 20 points on 3-pointers to lead the Illini (28-0, 14-0), who clinched at least a share of the Big Ten title for the second straight season. Brown had five 3s in the first half as Illinois took a 45-22 lead. It was Illinois' 24th straight Big Ten win, and 20th in a row at Assembly Hall.

Kelenna Azubuike had career highs of 30 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats (21-3, 12-1 Southeastern Conference), who clinched at least a share of the East Division title for the sixth straight season.Freshman Toney Douglas had 21 points, all in the second half, for the visiting Tigers (12-14, 3-10).

Taron Downey scored 13 points as the Demon Deacons (23-4) cruised to the nonconference home win.

J.J. Redick had 21 points for the Blue Devils (20-4, 10-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won 18 of the last 19 games in the series, including nine straight at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. They reached the 20-win mark for the 21st time under coach Mike Krzyzewski.Jarrett Jack had 20 points for the Yellow Jackets (15-9, 6-7), who haven't won consecutive games since early January.

Hakim Warrick had a career-high 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds - his 12th double-double of the season - and the Orange (23-5, 10-4 Big East) broke a two-game losing streak. The win was No. 699 for coach Jim Boeheim.Daryll Hill had a career-high 33 points for the Red Storm (9-15, 3-11), who lost their 20th straight road game. St. John's has not won on the road since a 72-61 victory at Stony Brook on Nov. 29, 2003.

Eddie Basden scored 24 points, including two free throws with 1.8 seconds to play, and the 49ers (20-4, 11-2) won their sixth straight and moved into a tie with Louisville for first place in Conference USA.Freshman Darius Washington had 29 points for the visiting Tigers (16-11, 9-4).