Looking for a launching point for UConn’s current successful run that started last year and carried over into this season?

January 25, 2023 is a strong candidate.

The Huskies have been nearly an unstoppable force since losing to Xavier in Storrs on that day, going a remarkable 32-4 overall and capturing a national championship.

“The program is in great shape,” coach Dan Hurley said after Saturday’s practice.

Top-ranked UConn (17-2, 7-1) hosts Xavier (10-9, 4-4) at noon on Sunday at the XL Center in Hartford. The Huskies reside in first place in the Big East.

So, how have they been able to sustain their success over that long stretch?

“This culture was built by this coaching staff here,” Hurley said. “I’ve got an excellent staff, as good a staff or better than anyone. And then they’ve helped me attract the right group of players that have built a culture. We play responsible basketball all over the court. We defend and we play really good offense. We’re, generally, a really good rebounding team. We play hard as hell and we don’t care who gets credit.

“We’ve got a good formula. … We’ve got the confidence that a championship level program has.”

Another part of that successful formula is defending the home court.

The Huskies are the only Big East team with an undefeated home record, going 10-0.

Their last home loss?

That came against Xavier, an 82-79 decision back last January.

Xavier was a thorn in UConn’s side last season, the only team to sweep the Huskies in the regular season series.

UConn ended that run earlier this month, posting a 80-75 victory at Xavier on Jan. 10. The Huskies won despite playing without starting center Donovan Clingan.

Clingan has played in two games off the bench since returning from a foot injury. He benefited from the practice time during UConn’s eight-day break.

His conditioning has improved.

“I’m definitely in a good place right now having a week of just straight practice…,” Clingan said. “Best I’ve felt in a long time. I’m just happy to keep working.”

The break was beneficial for other reasons. UConn had some valuable rest and continued to sharpen its all-around game, especially in the rebounding and defense departments.

“We had a week off, so we’re just itching to get out on the court again,” redshirt sophomore Alex Karaban said.

With three of their next four games at home, the Huskies have a great shot at continuing to build momentum.

They’re riding a seven-game winning streak and haven’t lost since Dec. 20.

“We’re trying to win the Big East, so we’ve got to win as many games as we can,” graduate guard Tristen Newton said. “Our home court is a great advantage, so we’ve got to take advantage of all the home games we get.

“… We’re at a good place right now in the Big East. We want to continue to get better. We’re not content with where we’re at.”

On Sunday, UConn will try to slow down Xavier’s explosive backcourt of Quincy Olivari and Desmond Claude, who’s from New Haven and attended Putnam Science Academy. They combine to average 34.1 points per game for the Musketeers, who are sixth in the country in fast break points per game at 17.1.

Hurley also pointed to rebounding as a key. UConn lost the battle of the boards, 42-30, in the last meeting and also gave up 22 rebounds on the offensive end.

Xavier comes in on a roll, winning three of the last four games.

“You’re seeing like a top 30 team in the country…,” Hurley said. “They’re hard to beat. We need to play better than we did the first time and we need an awesome crowd tomorrow. We need a crowd that is engaged from the start.”

At halftime, UConn will honor the 2004 national championship team. Emeka Okafor, Taliek Brown, Rashad Anderson, Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are some of the players expected to be in attendance as well as Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun.

Hurley speaks to his team about the history and tradition of the program. Calhoun fairly regularly stops by practice.

“That was a legendary team,” said Clingan, who was born in 2004. “It’s going to be cool to meet some of these guys who we look up to as legends.”

Someday, these Huskies will be returning to UConn to be honored for winning the 2023 national title.

“I can’t wait for that,” Karaban said. “Twenty years or something? I can’t wait for that. That will be fun. Even when that happens, having the whole group of guys together will be special.”

News and notes

Sunday is UConn’s annual Coaches vs. Cancer game. While meeting with the media Saturday, Hurley wore a button with a photo of his father-in-law Ken who passed away from cancer. “It will be an emotional day for a lot of people, especially those that have dealt with family, friends, loved ones and their battle with cancer and those they’ve lost. It has always been a highlight. My wife Andrea over the years has done an incredible job (with the Coaches vs. Cancer game).”

g.keefe@theday.com

No. 1 UCONN vs. XAVIER

Location: XL Center, Hartford

Tip time: Noon (FS1)

Records: UConn 17-2, 7-1; Xavier 10-9, 4-4

Last game: UConn won at Villanova, 66-65, Jan. 20; Xavier lost at Creighton, 85-78, Tuesday

Series: UConn trails, 4-3, winning first meeting this season 80-75 on the road on Jan. 10

Probable starters: UConn, 6-5 graduate guard Tristen Newton (15.4 pts, 6.5 rebs, 5.9 assists), 6-4 graduate guard Cam Spencer (15.4 pts, 4.3 rebs), 6-6 fr. guard Stephon Castle (9.4 pts, 4.8 rebs), 6-8 r-so. forward Alex Karaban (15 pts, 5.8 rebs), 6-10 jr. center Samson Johnson (5.9 pts, 3.4 rebs)

Xavier, 6-0 sr. guard Dayvion McKnight (11.1 pts, 3.9 rebs), 6-6 so. guard Desmond Claude (16.2 pts, 4.7 rebs, 3.8 assists), 6-3 grad guard Quincy Olivari (17.9 pts, 5.1 rebs), 6-7 fr. forward Dailyn Swain (4.7 pts, 3 rebs), 6-10 sr. forward Abou Ousmane (8.4 pts, 6.8 rebs, 1.4 blks)

Noteworthy: Annual Coaches vs. Cancer game. … UConn is off to its best league start since the 2008-09 when it opened 13-1 and finished 15-3 in the Big East. … Huskies undefeated at home at 10-0, Musketeers 1-4 on the road. … In the first meeting this season, Spencer (19 pts) one of five players to score in double figures for the Huskies, who converted 54.4% from the field. Claude, who’s from New Haven and attended Putnam Science Academy, had 15 and Olivari 24. … UConn and Xavier No. 1 and No. 2 in assists per game overall at 17.9 and 16.8, respectively. … Olivari 3rd in the Big East in scoring at 17.9, Spencer 2nd in 3-pt FG% at 45.3. … Top reserve: 6-0 fr. guard Trey Green (6.7 pts). … Xavier has won 4 of its last 7 meetings against No. 1 teams, last pulling off an upset in 2016 vs. Villanova. … Hot: UConn won seven straight. Cold: Castle 3 for 14 from 3-pt land in last four games, 5 for 24 overall. … The Huskies have only 14 turnovers in the last two games. … Clingan is averaging 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in two games since returning from a foot injury. … Prior to Friday’s action, the Huskies 9th in the NCAA NET Rankings. … Up next: UConn hosts Providence at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Storrs.

–Gavin Keefe