It's too early in the season to place today's game in the must win category.

But UConn really can't afford to lose any more home games and still challenge for the American Athletic Conference regular season title.

So, at the very least, this is a huge game today against Cincinnati at the XL Center.

Here's a pre-game preview:

Start: 11 a.m. (ESPN2)

Records: Cincinnati 11-3, 2-0 AAC; UConn 8-5, 1-1

Last game: UConn won at South Florida, 58-44, Tuesday; Cincinnati beat East Carolina, 69-48, Tuesday

Probable starters:

Cincinnati, 6-4 so. guard Troy Caupain (9.2 pts, 3.6 assists), 6-3 so. guard Kevin Johnson (5.9 pts), 6-5 jr. forward Jermaine Sanders (4.6 pts), 6-7 fr. forward Gary Clark (8.1 pts, 7.7 rebs), 6-10 jr. forward Octavius Ellis (9.9 pts, 7.3 rebs, 2.5 blks)

UConn, 6-0 sr. guard Ryan Boatright (16.8 pts, 4.9 rebs, 4.1 assists), r-s so. Rodney Purvis (9.3 pts), 6-7 fr. forward Daniel Hamilton (10.6 pts, 6.0 rebs), 6-9 so. forward Kentan Facey (6.7 pts, 6.6 rebs), 7-0 so. center Amida Brimah (11.5 pts, 5.2 rebs, 2.9 blks)

Noteworthy:

-- The Huskies have won four of last five games. The Bearcats are riding a four game winning streak.

-- Series: UConn leads, 10-5, winning two of three last season — losing 63-58 on the road, winning 51-45 at home and 58-56 in conference tournament semifinals in Memphis.

-- Not one Bearcat averages in double figures.

-- Top reserve: 6-1 jr. guard Farad Cobb (7.6 pts).

-- Ellis is an inside presence, ranking 3rd in blocks and fourth in rebounds in the AAC.

-- Associate head coach Larry Davis is filling in for Mick Cronin (health issue).

"Obviously, it's a big game," Davis said. "The thing about UConn is they're 8-5 right now but their record is deceiving because they really haven't had everybody healthy until the last couple of games. They lost two at the buzzer. ... They're better than their record indicates."

-- Hot: UConn’s reserves have scored 41 points in last two games. Cold: Cincy hasheld foes to 50 or fewer points six times this season, allowing 54.1 pts per game.

-- The Huskies already have lost as many home games (three) as last season.

-- For updates, follow me on Twitter: @GavinKeefe

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