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Connecticut begins life without G Dyson

Feb 14, 2009 - 11:28 AM No. 1 Connecticut (23-1) at Seton Hall (14-9) 12:00 p.m. EST

SOUTH ORANGE, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Connecticut may be atop the national rankings and Big East standings, but that doesn't mean it isn't suffering losses.

Without guard Jerome Dyson in the lineup, the top-ranked Huskies go for their 13th straight win on Saturday when they visit Seton Hall.

Connecticut (23-1, 11-1 Big East) continued its winning ways on Wednesday, forging a 63-49 victory over No. 22 Syracuse.

Hasheem Thabeet dominated the paint on both ends of the floor, recording seven blocks to go along with eight points, 16 rebounds and a number of unofficial altered shots.

It will be imperative for Thabeet to remain a force with Dyson sidelined indefinitely due to a torn lateral meniscus of his right knee suffered four minutes into the first half against the Orange.

Dyson, the Huskies' second-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game, underwent an MRI exam on Thursday that revealed the tear and will undergo surgery within the next week.

The school said it will not be determined whether the junior guard can return this season until after the surgery, but head coach Jim Calhoun sounded like he didn't expect Dyson back.

"We are obviously all very disappointed for Jerome, who has been such a big part of why we are 23-1 and in first place in the Big East," Calhoun said. "I know that he will work hard in the offseason and be back next year as a major contributor to our future success."

The Pirates (14-9, 5-6) enter this contest red-hot, winning each of their last five games, including a 72-49 victory over DePaul on Tuesday.