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Top big men in Big East clash when Notre Dame hosts UConn

Jan 24, 2009 - 11:32 AM No. 3 Connecticut (17-1) at No. 19 Notre Dame (12-5) 7:00 p.m. EST

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (Ticker) -- After losing three of their last five games, Notre Dame hopes Luke Harangody can help the team return to its winning ways.

With a matchup against Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet, it won't be easy for the reigning Big East Player of the Year to right the Fighting Irish.

Harangody and 19th-ranked Notre Dame look to avoid a third straight loss when they host Thabeet and the No. 3 Huskies on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish's leading scorer and rebounder, Harangody has combined for 53 points and 29 rebounds in his last two games but has been unable to lead the team to victory.

After enduring an 87-73 overtime loss to then-No. 20 Louisville on January 12 during which Notre Dame was outscored 16-2 in the extra session, the Fighting Irish (12-5, 3-3 Big East) were brutalized in the low post by then-No. 8 Syracuse last Saturday, getting outscored, 54-24, in the lane en route to a 93-74 setback.

Notre Dame must improve its defense up front if it hopes to contain Thabeet, who is averaging 13.2 points, a team-high 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game.

The 7-3 junior will be anxious to get going after enduring one of his worst performances of the season Wednesday, recording only 10 points and three rebounds as Connecticut (17-1, 6-1) earned an 89-83 victory over No. 21 Villanova.