Storrs — The outlook appears bleak. UConn knows it.

But the Huskies faced obstacles last season, too, and recovered to capture a national championship.

That's not saying they're thinking about making another improbable title run. This year's team isn't as talented.

They're just trying to keep the faith and consistently play better, starting with tonight's American Athletic Conference game against East Carolina at Gampel Pavilion (7 p.m., ESPNU).

"Life is what it is," coach Kevin Ollie said Tuesday. "We've just got to keep believing and keep growing. We had opportunities last year when it got bleak and we just kept fighting as a group, and that's what we're going to do each and every game."

Losers of four of its last six, UConn (11-9, 4-4) is sinking, falling to sixth place in the AAC. The Huskies already have topped last year's loss total with 10 regular-season games remaining. After tonight, they play four of their next six on the road where they've lost four straight.

In the face of adversity, they've remained upbeat and optimistic.

"We're still positive," Ollie said. "That's the only way you can be. You can't be negative in a situation like this. We've all got to stand up and understand we can get things done. We've still got 10 games. ... We're just trying to clean up the small things and get better in certain areas and hopefully we show that (Wednesday) night."

It will take more than another superhero effort from senior Ryan Boatright to turn things around. Boatright has averaged 27 points in the last three games and scored a career-high 31 in Sunday's 70-68 loss at Houston.

No one else has averaged in double digits in the last four games.

"He needs a whole bunch of help," freshman Daniel Hamilton said. "We've got to come in and step up, especially me."

The Huskies continue to do the little things that lose games. They've out-rebounded opponents this season but failed to grab the big rebound - just the opposite of what happened last season. They've allowed too many transition baskets and generated few fast break opportunities on their end. Slow starts also have doomed them.

If they keep repeating the same mistakes, they'll continue down the same dead-end path.

"What needs to change is consistency," Hamilton said. "We need to cut down on our turnovers. And the last thing, we need to play defense like we were in the beginning of the season when we were all locked in.

"If we make those changes, we've got a good chance."

The Pirates (9-12, 2-6), an AAC newcomer, have endured their own share of struggles. They're winless in their last seven road games and reside in eighth place, but snapped a three-game losing streak with an upset of Cincinnati, 50-46, Sunday.

"They focused in," Ollie said. "They were down by seven. With about two or three minutes to go, they put on a press and got like three turnovers in a row. They're aggressive and they shoot well from three point line, so we're going to have to get out on their shooters."

UConn will keep an eye on East Carolina's two main offensive weapons - B.J. Tyson (12.3 points), an AAC rookie of the year candidate, and junior Terry Whisnant (13.6 points), a Florida State transfer and lethal three-point shooting threat.

East Carolina prefers to keep the game at a crawl while UConn wants to sprint, so tempo control will be key.

Any turnaround starts with the proper mindset.

"I think the guys have got to play with more sense of urgency," Ollie said. "I'm going to keep coaching. I'm going to keep believing. I'm going to keep being positive. And we'll just get ourselves out of this pit."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe

EAST CAROLINA AT UCONN

Location: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs

Tip: 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

Records: East Carolina 9-12, 2-6 AAC; UConn 11-9, 4-4

Last game: East Carolina beat Cincinnati, 50-46, Sunday; UConn lost at Houston, 70-68, Sunday

Probable starters: UConn, 6-0 sr. guard Ryan Boatright (17.5 pts, 4.3 rebs, 4.4 assists), 6-5 jr. guard Omar Calhoun (6.5 pts), 6-7 fr. forward Daniel Hamilton (10 pts, 6.7 rebs), 6-9 so. forward Kentan Facey (5.4 pts, 6.5 rebs), 7-0 so. center Amida Brimah (10.6 pts, 5.3 rebs, 2.8 blks)

East Carolina, 6-4 sr. guard Antonio Robinson (3.5 pts, 70 assists), 6-3 jr. guard Terry Whisnant (13.6 pts), 6-7 so. forward Caleb White (11.9 pts, 3.7 rebs), 6-7 so. forward Michel Nzege (6.6 pts, 5.6 rebs), 6-10 so. forward Marshall Guilmette (5.1 pts, 3.0 rebs)

Noteworthy: Huskies lost four of six. … UConn sixth in AAC, East Carolina eighth. … First meeting since 1978. UConn leads series, 3-1. … Huskies are 2-2 at Gampel. … East Carolina winless on the road (0-7), losing by an average of 18.4 pts. … Pirates rallied from 9-pt second half deficit to beat Cincy. B.J. Tyson, an AAC rookie of the year candidate, had 18 pts. … Top reserve: Tyson (12.1 pts, 4.3 rebs). … Injury update: UConn reserves Sam Cassell Jr. (stress fracture) out, Phil Nolan (hamstring) game-time decision. ... Hot: Boatright averaging 27 pts in last three games. Cold: Calhoun 3-for-17 from field in last three games. … Huskies with more turnovers than assists in eight of last 10 games. … Whisnant first in 3-pt FG percentage in AAC action at 46.4. ... Up next: UConn visits Tulane Saturday.

- Gavin Keefe