Back in October, when the Big East coaches picked UConn to finish fourth in the preseason poll, the Huskies reacted about as expected.

They believed that they deserved a higher spot and intended on proving that once the season began.

In fact, junior Andre Jackson stated that the Huskies had the best team in the Big East.

Well, UConn heads into the conference schedule playing not only like the best team in the Big East, but one of the top programs in the country. They Huskies are unbeaten (11-0) and ranked third in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

They begin their quest for a regular-season Big East title Saturday against Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (7 p.m., FS1).

They ripped through their nonconference schedule in impressive fashion, winning by an average of 26.5 points per game. Their closest win was 10 points against Oklahoma State on Dec. 1.

Don’t expect that trend to continue.

For the remaining 20 regular-season games, UConn will face Big East opponents that will be familiar with its style of play and personnel.

“Every game in conference play is so difficult because you know each other so well and it’s one of 20 and it’s a grind,” coach Dan Hurley said. “So, we know our string of double-digit, coasting to victories is about to turn into much different types of games and we’re mentally preparing for that.”

So far, the Big East appears to be a bit down from last season. UConn is the only league member ranked in the Top 25.

Creighton, the preseason favorite, carried a five-game losing streak into Friday’s night’s Big East opener at Marquette. Defending champion Villanova is 5-5 but starting to improve with the return of talented freshman Cam Whitmore. Xavier, No. 2 in the league preseason poll, has looked good at times, with its three losses coming to Indiana, Duke and Gonzaga.

Butler is one of the Big East teams that might be better than expected. The Bulldogs (8-3), who were picked to finish eighth, are riding a four-game winning streak.

They have balance, as all five starters average in double figures with Jayden Taylor (14.9 points), Chuck Harris (14.5) and Manny Bates (13.9) leading the way. But they lack depth, relying on just six or seven players.

UConn dominated Butler last season, posting an average margin of victory of 18 points in two victories.

For the Huskies to achieve their lofty goals this season, they’ll have to be successful on the road. They’ve gone just 15-23 on the road in Hurley’s first four seasons.

They’ll be attempting to start the season at 12-0 for the first time since the 1998-99 national championship season during which they opened 19-0.

“We’ve just got to come in with the same mindset that we came in with the first 11 games of we’re going to win this game,” freshman Donovan Clingan said. “We’ve got to have the same defense through Big East play and keep sharing the ball.”

Playing Big East basketball will be a new experience for the majority of the players on the roster outside of Adama Sanogo, Andre Jackson and Jordan Hawkins, as well as reserves Samson Johnson and Richie Springs. Johnson is sidelined with a foot injury and Springs rarely plays.

The Huskies are determined to show that they’re a legitimate league title contender.

“We’re ready for the Big East challenge,” sophomore Jordan Hawkins said. “It’s a whole different season, it’s the second season. We’ve got to prepare ourselves. It’s way tougher than nonconference games so we’ve always got to be prepared. Every road game is going to be hard to win, so we’ve just got to come together collectively and take the last 11 games and just build on that.”

g.keefe@theday.com

No. 3 UConn at Butler

Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

Tip: 7 p.m. (FS1)

Records: UConn 11-0, Butler 8-3

Last game: UConn beat Long Island University 114-61 last Saturday; Butler won at California 82-58 last Saturday

Probable starters; UConn, 6-5 sr. guard Tristen Newton (10 pts, 4.4 rebs, 4.4 assists), 6-6 jr. guard Andre Jackson (5.8 pts, 5.8 rebs, 4.6 assists), 6-5 so. guard Jordan Hawkins (14.4 pts), 6-8 r-fr. forward Alex Karaban (9.9 pts, 3.9 rebs), 6-9 jr. forward Adama Sanogo (18.3 pts, 6.6 rebs)

Butler, 6-2 jr. guard Chuck Harris (14.5 pts, 4.1 rebs), 6-4 grad guard Eric Hunter, Jr. (12.5 pts, 3.8 rebs), 6-4 so. guard Jayden Taylor (14.9 pts, 3.9 rebs), 6-7 so. forward Simas Lukosius (11.5 pts, 4.5 rebs), 6-11 grad center Manny Bates (13.9 pts, 7 rebs, 2.8 blks)

Noteworthy: Both teams will be rested, coming off exam breaks. … Dan Hurley 0-4 in league openers (0-2 Big East, 0-2 AAC) in first four years in charge in Storrs. … Series: UConn leads 5-0, sweeping every meeting by double digits. Won last season 76-59 at home on Jan. 18 and 75-56 on the road on Jan. 20. … Programs met in the 2011 national championship game with UConn winning 53-41. … Thad Matta in his second stint as head coach at his alma mater. … Butler’s losses to Penn State, Tennessee and N.C. State. … Bulldogs rank 12th in the nation in FG percentage at .502. Limited foes to 25% from 3-pt range in the last eight games. … Top reserve: r-fr. guard Pierce Thomas (3.8 pts, 3.1 rebs). … Butler averaging 75 points while allowing 63.3. … Huskies tied for fourth best start in program history. … Hot: Fr. Donovan Clingan 18 for 19 from the field and averaged 18.5 pts, 9.5 rebs in last two games. Cold: Clingan shooting 53.1% (17 for 32) from the foul line. … Won first 11 games by double digits for first time in program history. … Jackson has 22 assists and one turnover in the last four games. … Up next: UConn hosts Georgetown in its Big East home opener Tuesday night (6:30) in Storrs.

– Gavin Keefe