After beginning the season 12-1 the Connecticut Huskies are 5-9 since and 7-8 in conference play. They are 2-4 against ranked teams, losing four consecutive against such opponents, including an 18-point loss to the Orange the last time the two teams met.
Coming off a three-point overtime victory on the road in Villanova and the 17-10 UConn is still in search of a major statement win to put on their tournament resume. On Saturday night they host the second-ranked Syracuse Orange and an upset would all but guarantee the Huskies a spot in the field of 64.
The final score (85-67) isn't necessarily indicative of the game's competitiveness. The Huskies hung tough throughout, in the Carrier Dome nonetheless, and had the lead cut to as small as two with just under seven minutes to play. The Orange closed out the game in dominating fashion, but the Huskies played an admirable 34 minutes of basketball.
Saturday night's contest will begin at 9:00 EST and can be seen on ESPN or ESPN3.
For more on UConn basketball, visit our blog The UConn Blog.