Longhorns  74    Huskies  88

(1) Texas (17-1) at Connecticut (12-6)

Sports Network | January 23, 2010

GAME NOTES: Coming off their first loss of the season, the top-ranked Texas Longhorns take a break from Big 12 action, as they travel to the New England area to take on the Connecticut Huskies from the Gampel Pavilion.

After ascending the top-25 following wins in each of their first 17 games, the Longhorns will probably lose their spot atop the national polls after this weekend. Monday's 71-62 loss at nationally-ranked Kansas State is something that Texas will need to put in its rearview mirror, as it closes out its non- conference schedule against the Huskies. Despite the loss, Texas is still off to its best start since the 1946-47 season.

UConn played its first game in a long time without Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun on the bench. Calhoun has taken a leave of absence for medical reasons and associate head coach George Blaney took over the reins this week. The Huskies responded by ending a three-game losing streak with a 75-59 win over St. John's.

This is the sixth all-time meeting between these two teams. UConn won the first three meetings, but Texas has won back-to-back matchups, including a Sweet 16 matchup clash in the 2003 NCAA Tournament.

Texas shot a mere .368 from the floor and that coupled with 18 turnovers did in the Longhorns against Kansas State. Texas had just one player finish in double figures and that was Avery Bradley, who tallied 11 points. Star forward Damion James was neutralized, finishing with just nine points and seven rebounds. The Big 12's all-time leading rebounder, James has been a force in the paint this year, averaging a double-double with team-highs of 17.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Dexter Pittman is another frontcourt producer at 12.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while pacing the team with 42 blocks. Bradley (12.2 ppg), J'Von Brown (12.2 ppg) and Jordan Hamilton (9.3 ppg) provide adequate perimeter support. The trio have combined for 72 of the team's 104 three-pointers to date. Despite the poor showing against KSU this week, Texas is still boasting of a +21.0 scoring margin, averaging 85.8 ppg, while allowing just 64.8.

The Huskies shot a solid .569 from the floor, including blowing things open in the second half with 65.4 percent accuracy, as they brought an end to an ugly three-game skein with a solid win over St. Johns. Star guard Jerome Dyson led the offensive charge with 21 points. Stanley Robinson countered with a strong game in the frontcourt, posting 18 points and nine rebounds, while point guard Kemba Walker tallied 17 points and six assists, with just one turnover in 35 minutes of action. It was a solid performance for a team that has been just that offensively this year. UConn has not been flashy by any stretch of the imagination, but it is averaging a decent 72.8 ppg on .469 shooting this season. Dyson is the straw that stirs the drink, averaging 18.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. Robinson is dynamic up front as well, adding 16.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game to the cause. Walker is both a scorer (12.9 ppg) and deft distributor (5.9 apg), while Gavin Edwards (10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg) is a solid role player off the bench.

The Huskies are awfully tough to beat in Storrs, but Texas has a bit to prove following Monday's loss to the Wildcats. Look for the Longhorns to find their groove offensively in this one and earn a hard-fought win over UConn.

GAME NOTES: Coming off their first loss of the season, the top-ranked Texas Longhorns take a break from Big 12 action, as they travel to the New England area to take on the Connecticut Huskies from the Gampel Pavilion.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Gampel Pavilion (10,027) -- Storrs, Connecticut. Television: CBS. Home Record: Texas 11-0, UConn 11-1. Away Record: Texas 3-1, UConn 0-3. Neutral Record: Texas 3-0, UConn 1-2. Conference Record: Texas 3-1, UConn 3-3. Series Record: Connecticut leads, 3-2.

Texas 76, Connecticut 72