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Connecticut begins rare 'easy' stretch in Big East

Jan 10, 2009 - 11:39 AM No. 5 Connecticut (13-1) at Cincinnati (10-5) 4:30 p.m. EST

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Fifth-ranked Connecticut will look to take advantage of some of the Big East's bottom-feeders over the next week and climb the conference standings in the process.

The Huskies face Cincinnati on Saturday, opening a set of three games against unranked foes, a rare scenario in a league that currently has nine ranked teams.

Connecticut (13-1, 2-1 Big East) has won back-to-back games since losing its first game of the season to Georgetown, including a hard-fought road win against West Virginia on Tuesday. Jeff Adrien led four players in double figures with 17 while Hasheem Thabeet added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

UConn dominated the paint against the Mountaineers, blocking seven shots while holding a 51-28 rebounding advantage, including 20-13 on the offensive end.

After their matchup with the Bearcats, the Huskies play St. John's and Seton Hall. The teams are a combined 1-6 in conference play.

Cincinnati (10-5, 0-2) has dropped three straight after opening the season 10-2, including an 87-79 loss at home to Providence on Wednesday. Deonta Vaughn and Mike Williams scored 20 points each but the Bearcats allowed the Friars to shoot 54 percent (28-of-52) from the field.

The 87 points were the most Cincinnati has allowed this season.