Xavier @ Connecticut preview

Connecticut made the decision over the summer to rejoin the Big East in July of 2020, returning to the conference it called home for 34 years. The Huskies will get a head start on familiarizing themselves with one of their soon-to-be rivals Friday when they meet No. 21 Xavier in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C.

In late July this year, UConn agreed to pay the American Athletic Conference - its current home - a total of $17 million ($10 million exit fee plus an additional $7 million for the right to depart early) in order to return to the league it helped charter in 1979. The Huskies, whose only previous meeting against the Musketeers came during the 1990-91 NCAA Tournament, earned a chance to get an advanced look at one of the top teams in their former conference with Thursday's 79-68 first-round win over Buffalo. Xavier got off to its second 5-0 start in three seasons earlier in the evening, holding Towson to 30.5 percent shooting en route to a 73-51 victory. The win was the Musketeers' first away from home this season and came on the heels of two nail-biters - a 63-58 overtime victory over Missouri on Nov. 12 and a 59-56 triumph against Missouri State last Friday.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT XAVIER (5-0): Tyrique Jones posted his second double-double of the season and the 12th of his college career Thursday, contributing 10 of his 12 points and seven of his 12 rebounds in the first half, and the 6-9 senior has reached double figures in four of five games while pulling down at least six boards in every contest. Jason Carter tallied nine rebounds and finished with a team-high 13 points - more than half of his total entering the game - combining with Jones to score 16 first-half points in the paint. Western Michigan transfer Bryce Moore enjoyed his finest effort with the Musketeers, burying three consecutive 3-pointers at one point midway through the second half to finish with a season-high 12 points.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (3-1): Sophomore guard Brendan Adams, who had scored a total of three points in his previous two games combined, took over for an injured Alterique Gilbert (ankle) and exploded for a career-high 20 points, including a 3-pointer with just under four minutes remaining to halt a potential Buffalo rally. After completing a suspension due to punishment for a September traffic accident, highly-touted freshman guard James Bouknight had eight points and six rebounds while only playing 11 minutes in his season debut. Josh Carlton recorded his first double-double of the season with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, while 6-2 guard Christian Vital continued his strong start with 16 points, 10 boards, five assists and two steals Thursday.

TIP-INS

1. The winner will play either Miami (Fla.) or Florida in the title game Sunday.

2. The Musketeers recorded season highs in blocks (five), assists (19) and rebounds (45) on Thursday.

3. Gilbert is not expected to play again this weekend, according to coach Dan Hurley.

PREDICTION: Xavier 69, Connecticut 66