University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
DePaul
No. 1 Huskies Head To Chicago To Face DePaul
2/13/2024 11:49:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO – The No. 1 UConn men's basketball team (22-2, 12-1 BIG EAST) is back in action on Wednesday night when it heads to the Windy City to take on DePaul (3-20, 0-12 BIG EAST). The Huskies will ride a 12-game winning streak into Wintrust Arena for a contest tipping off at 9 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network with Rich Waltz, Dan Dickau and Keiana Martin on the call.
UConn is looking for a season sweep over the Blue Demons, currently leading the all-time series 18-1 and riding a 17-game winning streak against DePaul. Earlier this season, Connecticut rolled to an 85-56 victory over the Blue Demons on Jan. 2 at Gampel Pavilion. The Huskies are playing for the fifth-straight week atop the national polls, sitting at No. 1 since Jan. 15.
In its last outing, UConn topped Georgetown in Washington by a score of 89-64. Alex Karaban led the Huskies with 25 points in the win, while Stephon Castle chipped in 17. The Huskies shot 61.1 percent from the floor and dished out 26 assists in one of their best offensive performances of the season. The 25-point win over the Hoyas was the largest in series history for the Huskies.
The Huskies are atop the BIG EAST in both scoring offense and defense, using a balanced offensive attack and a ferocious defensive intensity to rip off their best start since going 24-1 to open the 2008-09 season. Cam Spencer leads the offense with 15.3 points per game and currently ranks fourth in the nation with a 45.2 percent mark from 3-point range. Tristen Newton adds 15.2 points and is the team leader in rebounding (6.6 rpg) and assists (5.8 apg).
Also in double-figures for Connecticut are Karaban at 14.7 points per game, Donovan Clingan at 12.2 per contest and Castle with 10.9 an outing. Clingan ranks among the national leaders with a 63.3 field goal percentage and 2.1 blocks per game. The Huskies are the only team in America to boast five players averaging at least 10 points and four rebounds per game.
The Blue Demons host UConn with a 3-20 record on the year and an 0-12 mark in BIG EAST play. Chico Carter averages a team-high 11.8 points per game for DePaul, while Da'Sean Nelson joins him in double-figures at 10.6 per game. DePaul is 3-11 on its home floor this season.
Following Wednesday night's tilt, the Huskies are back in Hartford for a top-five showdown against No. 4 Marquette on Saturday at 3 p.m.
