GAME NOTES: The 13th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles are fresh off a lopsided loss, and they will attempt to bounce back strong in today's Big East Conference clash with the Connecticut Huskies. Marquette carried a two-game winning streak into Thursday's clash with Louisville, but the result of that tilt was an ugly 71-51 setback. The Golden Eagles lost only one of their first 12 games this season, but they have split their last four contests and are 3-2 in league play. Marquette has played just three true road tilts to date, two of which have ended in losses. As for UConn, it has lost three of its last four games to fall to 11-5 overall and 2-3 in league play. The Huskies suffered their first home setback on Thursday to Providence by a 77-65 final. Marquette has won all three of its series meetings with UConn, including a 73-69 triumph over the Huskies last season.

Dominic James injured his wrist in the loss to Louisville, but he is expected to be in the lineup for Marquette today. That is good news, as he is netting 14.1 ppg to lead his team. James is also tops with 68 assists and second with 33 steals. Backcourt mate Jerel McNeal is close behind with 13.7 ppg, and he has also contributed 59 assists and 38 steals to the cause. Lazar Hayward adds 12.7 ppg and 6.4 rpg, while Wesley Matthews posts 10.7 ppg. The Golden Eagles are averaging a steady 78.3 ppg, while surrendering just 61.9 ppg to their opponents. McNeal scored 17 points against Louisville on Thursday, and Matthews added 14 points. Marquette connected on only 30.4 percent of its field goal attempts and failed to hit a three-pointer for the first time since 2000. The club also finished with an embarrassing total of two assists.

UConn shot 36.7 percent from the field against Providence on Thursday, and that level of inefficiency isn't going to get it done against a solid Big East Conference opponent. Jeff Adrien led the charge in defeat with 16 points, and he also pulled down 15 rebounds. Doug Wiggins added 15 points, followed by A.J. Price (12 points) and Hasheem Thabeet (10 points). While the Huskies were 4- of-19 from three-point range, they permitted the Friars to knock down 14-of-24 shots from behind the arc. Adrien leads the team with 14.5 ppg and 9.4 rpg, as he remains one of the steadiest frontcourt performers in the Big East. Jerome Dyson is netting 14.3 ppg, and Price adds 13.9 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Thabeet is a player to keep an eye on, as he is one of the premier shot blockers in college basketball.

UConn needs a victory to avoid falling two games below .500 in league play. The Huskies have a major advantage in the frontcourt with Thabeet and Adrien, and a mild upset over Marquette seems possible.