HARTFORD, Conn. (Interstat) — The No. 1-ranked Connecticut Huskies look to continue their dominant run through the Big East when they host the DePaul Blue Demons on Saturday at XL Center.

UConn (15-1, 3-0 Big East) has won nine straight games since its only loss and is coming off a dramatic 103-98 overtime road victory at Providence on Wednesday. The Huskies have been nearly untouchable in conference play, winning their three league games by an average of 18.7 points.

DePaul (10-6, 2-3) arrives with momentum after a gritty 56-50 home win over Georgetown on Tuesday, but faces a steep challenge. The Huskies handed the Blue Demons a 72-54 defeat in Chicago just three weeks ago on Dec. 21.

The matchup features a compelling duel at guard between UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. and DePaul’s Layden Blocker. Demary is playing at an elite level, coming off a 23-point, 15-assist performance against Providence. In the first meeting with DePaul, he stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two blocks.

Blocker, DePaul’s engine, will need a major performance to keep pace. He was held to 11 points in the first matchup. He enters averaging 13.3 points and 5.3 assists over his last three games, including an 18-point effort in a win over Xavier.

UConn’s offensive firepower, averaging 79.1 points per game, will test a DePaul defense that has been inconsistent in league play. The Huskies have multiple weapons, with Braylon Mullins (24 points vs. Providence) and Tarris Reed providing consistent support for Demary.

For DePaul to pull the monumental upset, they must control the tempo, limit turnovers against UConn’s pressure, and find more scoring beyond Blocker. The Huskies have shown no signs of vulnerability at home, where they have won 22 consecutive games.

Saturday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings. Following this game, UConn travels to Seton Hall on Tuesday, while DePaul hosts Marquette next Friday.