Huskies impressive as they become No. 1

Connecticut celebrated its move to the top of the polls by dismantling No. 5 Louisville, 68-51 in a Big East Conference game Monday.

“We definitely made a statement that we’re No. 1,” said Jeff Adrien, who scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Rick Pitino agreed.

“They’re very truly the No. 1 team in the country,” the Louisville coach said. “We weren’t in their league tonight.”

Connecticut (21-1, 10-1) emphatically ended Louisville’s nine-game winning streak by dictating the pace and using Hasheem Thabeet’s massive 7-foot-3 wingspan to hold Louisville (17-4, 8-1) to a season-low point total.

Thabeet dominated the lane, contributing 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks as the Huskies got their 10th consecutive victory.