GAME NOTES: Big East action is on the docket this evening as the Connecticut Huskies welcome the Providence Friars to town. Although Providence is a perfect 8-0 at home this season, the team has lost all three of its true road games. Still, the Friars have won their last two outings overall and six of the last eight to move to 11-5 on the season. They are coming off Saturday's 86-70 decision over South Florida and been competitive in many of their defeats to date. As for UConn, it has lost two of its last three games to fall to 11-4 overall and 2-2 in Big East play. On Saturday, the Huskies put forth a strong effort against Georgetown on the road, but the result of that tilt was a 72-69 setback. On a positive note, the club is 8-0 in home games so far this season. UConn holds a 40-24 series lead over Providence, but the Friars won last season's meeting by an 84-72 final.

There are four double-digit scorers in the lineup for Providence, which is scoring 76.8 ppg while allowing 70.6 ppg to the opposition. Jeff Xavier leads the Friars with 12.8 ppg, and Weyinmi Efejuku is close behind with 12.3 ppg. Brian McKenzie is contributing 11.8 ppg, and Geoff McDermott is posting 11.6 ppg and 7.8 rpg. In the 16-point win over South Florida on Saturday, Providence connected on 52.5 percent of its field goal attempts, including a stellar 13-of-21 effort from three-point range. The Friars also finished with 19 assists against only nine turnovers. McDermott shot 8-of-10 from the floor and tallied 24 points to go along with seven rebounds. Xavier and Dwain Williams managed 16 points apiece, while Randall Hanke contributed 10 points.

UConn is scoring 81.3 ppg through 15 outings while limiting the opposition to 68.5 ppg. They are pulling down over seven more rebounds per game than their foes despite being outrebounded by conference opponents thus far. Jerome Dyson leads the Huskies with 14.9 ppg, but his 39.9 percent shooting from the floor could certainly stand some improvement. Jeff Adrien checks in with 14.4 ppg and 9.0 rpg, and A.J. Price is contributing 14.0 ppg and 96 assists against only 30 turnovers. Stanley Robinson is contributing 11.0 ppg, while Hasheem Thabeet has blocked 60 shots to go along with 10.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg. In the narrow loss to Georgetown, Adrien scored 18 points to lead the Huskies. Price posted 17 points and nine assists, while Doug Wiggins managed 15 points off the bench on 6-of-7 efficiency from the field.

UConn should be able to score another home victory tonight, although the Friars figure to keep things close. Once again this season, there are several solid teams in the Big East Conference.