The American Athletic Conference basketball season opens today.

UConn was ranked first in the coaches' presesaon poll in late October.

Temple (9-4) may be a bit better than expected. 

Here's a pre-game preview of today's game at the XL Center:

-- Last game: Temple beat Delaware State, 66-56, Sunday; UConn defeated CCSU, 81-48, Sunday

-- Probable starters:

Temple, 6-2 sr. guard Will Cummings (14.2 pts, 5.3 rebs, 3.9 assists), 6-5 sr. guard Jesse Morgan (16 pts), 6-5 jr. guard Quenton DeCosey (14.5 pts, 3.9 rebs), 6-8 jr. forward Jaylen Bond (6.8 pts, 7.6 rebs), 6-11 jr. center Devontae Watson (2.3 pts, 2.6 rebs)

UConn, 6-0 sr. guard Ryan Boatright (19.2 pts, 5.3 rebs, 4.4 assists), r-s so. Rodney Purvis (9.9 pts), 6-7 fr. forward Daniel Hamilton (11.2 pts, 6.1 rebs), 6-9 so. forward Kentan Facey (7 pts, 6.6 rebs), 7-0 so. center Amida Brimah (12.2 pts, 4.4 rebs, 2.7 blks)

Noteworthy:

-- UConn has won 3 of last 4 games, Temple 5-1 in last six games.

-- Senior Ryan Boatright on the state of the Huskies: "The team is getting better every day and we’re working hard every day. We’re in a good spot right now."

-- Series: UConn leads 6-3, sweeping two games last season, 90-66 at XL Center and 68-55 in Philly.

-- Temple’s RPI (37th) is the highest in the conference. UConn is 82nd.

-- Limiting Temple's 3-pointers will be a key today. The Owls made 11 against Delaware State. Transfers Jesse Morgan and Devin Coleman are both shooting threats.

"We've got to get out on their shooters," coach Kevin Ollie said.

-- The Owls played three top 10 teams, beating Kansas (77-52) and losing to Duke (74-54) and Villanova (85-62).

-- Top reserve: Guard Josh Brown (7.5 pts, 3.7 rebs)

-- Hot: Purvis is averaging 17.5 points in the last two games. Cold: UConn foes are shooting 38.1 percent in last three games.

-- Injury update: UC reserve Phil Nolan (right heel) game day decision. He was on the court for the pre-game shoot-around today.

-- Boatright ranks first in the AAC in scoring and steals. Bond is first in rebounding.

-- Up next: UConn visits Florida Saturday.

-- Follow me on Twitter: @GavinKeefe

-- Check back later for a post-game breakdown.