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Thabeet, UConn hope to rebound after setback

Feb 21, 2009 - 1:56 PM South Florida (8-17) at No. 1 Connecticut (24-2), 2:00 p.m. EST

STORRS, Connecticut (Ticker) -- Connecticut's reign as the No. 1 team in the nation will probably come to an end next week, but the Huskies can still remain atop the Big East Conference.

Top-ranked Connecticut aims to rebound from a tough loss when it hosts South Florida on Saturday.

The Huskies (24-2, 12-2 Big East) had their 13-game winning streak snapped on Monday, losing, 76-68, at home to No. 4 Pittsburgh. Both sides called it the most physical game they had played in all season.

Hasheem Thabeet, who was beginning to garner attention as the possible Big East Player of the Year, had arguably his worst game of the season in the loss.

The 7-3 junior managed just five points and four rebounds before fouling out, while counterpart DeJuan Blair had 22 and 23 for Pittsburgh.

A.J. Price scored 18 points in the loss to lead the Huskies, who have a one-half game lead over three teams in the conference.

South Florida (8-17, 3-10) is not chasing a Big East title and should not pose much of a threat to UConn. The Bulls are 1-8 on the road.

Dominique Jones scored 12 points on Wednesday as South Florida lost its third straight game, a 65-40 setback to Georgetown. The Bulls were 1-of-12 from the arc and 9-of-23 from the foul line.