Preview: Connecticut Faces Surging Saint John’s in Big East Showdown NEW YORK (Interstat) — The nation’s top-ranked team faces one of its toughest road tests of the season Friday when the Connecticut Huskies visit the surging Saint John’s Red Storm in a pivotal Big East men’s basketball matchup. The Huskies (22-1, 12-0 Big East), winners of 12 straight, bring a dominant conference record into Carnesecca Arena. UConn is coming off a 92-60 rout of Xavier on Tuesday, a performance emblematic of a season where they have won 10 of their 12 league games by double digits. Saint John’s (17-5, 9-2), however, presents a formidable obstacle. The Red Storm have won seven consecutive games, vaulting into second place in the conference standings. Their last loss was a 77-71 home defeat to Providence on Jan. 3. A key matchup will feature two of the league’s most consistent performers. Connecticut is led by guard Silas Demary Jr., who is averaging 14.3 points and 5.9 assists per game in conference play. He scored 17 points with eight assists in the win over Xavier. Saint John’s counters with forward Zuby Ejiofor, a versatile force who has posted a double-double and multiple games with at least 15 points and four assists during the winning streak. He had 16 points and four assists in Tuesday’s 68-56 win at DePaul. UConn’s depth has been overwhelming. In the win over Xavier, Tarris Reed Jr. and Eric Reibe each added 14 points. The Huskies’ only loss this season was a non-conference defeat at Kansas in December. The Red Storm’s resurgence has been built on balanced scoring and improved defense, holding opponents to 66.2 points per game during their win streak. Bryce Hopkins and Oziyah Sellers provide consistent scoring alongside Ejiofor. This game is the first of a critical home-and-home series between the teams. They will meet again in Hartford on Feb. 25. For now, Saint John’s aims to defend its home court and close the gap in the conference race, while UConn looks to continue its march toward a regular-season title. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. EST Friday at Carnesecca Arena.