OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — The No. 1-ranked Connecticut Huskies, boasting the nation’s premier record, put their 12-game winning streak on the line Saturday against the Creighton Bluejays in a Big East Conference clash at CenturyLink Center.

UConn (20-1, 8-1 Big East) arrives as a juggernaut, having navigated a gauntlet of recent close calls, including overtime wins over Providence and Villanova. The Huskies’ latest victory was an 87-81 home win over Providence on Tuesday, powered by efficient performances across the roster.

A key catalyst is forward Tarris Reed, who is coming off a 19-point, four-block effort in just 19 minutes against the Friars. Over his last seven games, Reed has averaged 15.1 points and 7.1 rebounds, showcasing a versatile inside-out threat.

Creighton (12-9, 4-6) seeks a season-defining upset on its home floor but enters following an 86-62 road loss at Marquette. The Bluejays have shown a high ceiling, evidenced by a 94-93 win over Xavier and an overtime victory against Georgetown last week, but consistency has eluded them.

Guard Austin Swartz leads Creighton’s offensive charge. He erupted for 33 points in the win over Georgetown on Jan. 13 and scored 17 with six assists in the loss to Marquette. His scoring punch will be vital against UConn’s stout defense.

The Huskies have dominated the series recently, including a sweep of last season’s matchups. Creighton’s last win came in the 2023 Big East tournament. The Bluejays will need a near-perfect performance to counter UConn’s depth and momentum.

Saturday’s contest is the first of a regular-season home-and-home series. The teams will meet again in Storrs on Feb. 18.

Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. EST.