UConn rings in the new year with a new mindset.

Some painful non-conference losses are behind the Huskies (9-4). They're looking forward to diving into American Athletic Conference play, starting with Wednesday's league opener at South Florida. Game time is 8:30 p.m. at the Yuengling Center in Tampa.

Their confidence was shaken after a humbling 23-point loss to Villanova on Dec. 22, leaving them 1-4 against the high profile non-conference foes on the schedule.

A 10-day break helped reset their mindset.

"They were pretty beaten down and feeling bad about the way they were performing," coach Dan Hurley said. "They all were. These guys are excited to get out and play again. They're rejuvenated about the chance to compete for something at the top of the league for a conference championship. I know that's the mindset these guys came back from Christmas with. That was a lot different than leaving to go to Christmas."

Hurley's hiring represented a fresh start for the program. Now he'll get his first shot at competing in the AAC where the Huskies have underachieved. Their win total has gone down in each of the first five years of league play, sinking to a program low seven in 2017-18.

The Huskies were picked to finish fifth in the league coaches preseason poll.

He's been impressed with the league from what he's seen watching games, calling Houston, Cincinnati and Central Florida NCAA teams. Temple also is another potential contender for a postseason bid.

"This could be a four or five bid league this year and that's pretty good," Hurley said. "Probably eight or nine teams that probably not a lot of people would want to play. It's deeper with SMU, Memphis and UConn. A lot more depth to the league than people give it credit for.

"You see what South Florida's building. They look like they're adding talent."

Early returns indicate the Bulls (10-2), who ranked last in the AAC coaches preseason poll, are better than expected. They've captured six straight and already have matched last season's overall win total.

Redshirt freshman Alexis Yetna, a Putnam Science Academy graduate, is one of the league's promising young players. He already has six double-doubles and leads the league in rebounding at 10.9 per game to go with 11.8 points. Redshirt junior guard Laquincy Rideau, a transfer from Gardner-Webb, can impact a game several ways, averaging 12.9 points and ranking first in the AAC in assists (5.7) and steals (2.8) per game.

The Bulls are active on the boards, out-rebounding opponents by 9.5 per game.

"They're playing well," Hurley said. "They've got 10 wins against Division I opponents, so that's a good thing. Their roster and team looks a little different than they have the last couple of years. They look the part in terms of their length, athletic ability and having depth."

The Huskies will look a little different on Wednesday than in past games this season.

After watching his team spin out of control at times and pile up careless turnovers, Hurley is turning down the tempo. Worth trying considering the Huskies have more turnovers (184) than assists (183) this season.

"In general, you won't see us play as fast," Hurley said. "You'll certainly see us play as fast off misses and turnovers, but I'm not sure you'll see us play quite as fast off makes as we've been. ... We've gotten irresponsible off makes. Some of our worst shots have come off makes. To me as a coach, that's embarrassing. We have to make people expend some energy at their defensive end, make the other team spend 22 seconds guarding us occasionally."

Wednesday will not only be UConn's first true road game this season, but also redshirt sophomore Alterique Gilbert's AAC debut. Shoulder injuries derailed him the previous two seasons.

"I'm excited for it...," Gilbert said. "It's a big accomplishment for me. To wake up each and every day and say I can play basketball is enough for me."

g.keefe@theday.com

UCONN at SOUTH FLORIDA

Location: Yuengling Center, Tampa, Fla.

Time: 8:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

Records: UConn 9-4, South Florida 10-2

Last game: UConn lost to Villanova, 81-58, Dec. 22; South Florida beat Fairleigh Dickinson, 60-54, Saturday

Probable starters: South Florida, 6-1 r-jr guard Laquincy Rideau (12.9 pts, 5.7 assists, 2.8 steals), 6-3 so. guard  David Collins (13.9 pts, 3.1 rebs), 6-6 so. forward Justin Brown (9.3 pts, 3.1 rebs), 6-8 r-fr. forward Alexis Yetna (11.8 pts, 10.9 rebs), 7-0 fr. center Michael Durr (5.5 pts, 5.1 rebs)

UConn, 6-3 sr. guard Jalen Adams (16.6 pts), 6-0 redshirt so. guard Alterique Gilbert (12.5 pts, 4.2 assists), 6-2 jr. guard Christian Vital (12.4 pts, 5.2 rebs), 6-8 so. forward Tyler Polley (8.6 pts, 2.3 rebs), 6-10 so. forward Josh Carlton (7.6 pts, 4.2 rebs)

Noteworthy: American Athletic Conference opener for both teams. ... First road game for Huskies. ... Bulls won six straight. ... Series: UConn leads, 20-2, winning 10 straight including 68-65 in Feb. in Storrs. Last USF win (65-51) in Tampa March 2013. ... UConn 5th in AAC coaches preseason poll, USF last. ... Bulls losses to Georgetown (76-73 OT) and The Citadel (84-81). ... Rideau tops in league in steals and assists per game. ... Top reserve: 6-7 r-sr. forward T.J. Lang (8.3 pts, 2.9 rebs). ...  Yetna, a Putnam Science Academy graduate, 7th in NCAA in rebounds per game. Recorded AAC leading six double-doubles. ... Bulls 1st in league in offensive rebounds (14.3) per game and rebounding margin (+9.5),  2nd in turnovers forced (17.6) per game. ... Hot: Carlton converting 62.7 percent (37-for-59) from field. Cold: Adams scored in single digits two of last three games, averaging 10 pts during span. ... Huskies 3-3 in last six games. ... UConn 49-41 in five regular seasons in AAC, 1-4 in openers. ... USF already matched last year's win total. ... Up next: UConn hosts AAC preseason favorite UCF at noon Saturday in Hartford.

— Gavin Keefe