HARTFORD - The No. 2 UConn men's basketball team (4-3) is back on the mainland and will host Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) on Saturday night at the XL Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. airing as a Peacock exclusive with Noah Reed and Donny Marshall on the call. 

The Huskies are looking to bounce back after a three-game slide at the 2024 Maui Invitational, dropping contests to Memphis, Colorado and Dayton on consecutive days earlier this week. It marks UConn's first losing streak of three games since the now-infamous January 2023 run. UMES visits with a 2-8 record on the season and has dropped its last four contests, including its most recent at Little Rock on Wednesday. 

Despite its recent struggles the Huskies still boast one of the nation's most potent offenses, currently ranking seventh in Kenpom offensive efficiency and top-five in the country in assists per game and assist/turnover ratio. Alex Karaban leads Connecticut with 15.9 points per game and is shooting 50.7 percent from the floor, Solo Ball adds 12.9 per game and Liam McNeeley checks in with 12.0 per contest. Tarris Reed Jr. is the fourth Husky averaging double-figures with 11.3 points per game and leads the squad with 8.6 rebounds per contest, while Hassan Diarra adds 8.4 points and a team-high 4.7 assists a night. 

KC Shaw leads the way for UMES with 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Evan Johnson adds 10.3 points a contest and Chistopher Flippin posts 9.3 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game for the Hawks.  

Following Saturday night's contest, UConn will play the remaining 23 games on its regular season schedule against high-major opponents. First up is No. 17 Baylor on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Gampel Pavilion.