There's not a discernible factor.

Not one thing that anyone associated with the Pitt men's basketball program can put their finger on and comfortably say, "This is the precise reason we've struggled at Connecticut in the recent past."

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Scouting Report

• Matchup: No. 18 Pitt (17-4, 5-3 Big East) at Connecticut (15-5, 5-3), 1 p.m. today, XL Center, Hartford Conn.
• TV, Radio, Internet: KDKA, WWSW-FM (94.5), WBGG-AM (970), www.pittsburghpanthers.com.
• Pitt: In nine games at point guard, Ronald Ramon has 54 assists and 19 turnovers. ... Has limited i17 of 21 opponents to 70 points or less this season.
• Connecticut: On a four-game win streak, beating Louisville, Indiana, Cincinnati and Marquette in past 14 days. ... G Jerome Dyson (14.3 ppg ), G A.J. Price (14.3 ppg), F Jeff Adrien (14.1 ppg), C Hasheem Thabeet (11.1 ppg) and F Stanley Robinson (10.5 ppg) provided balanced offense before Dyson's indefinite suspension.
• Hidden stat: These are top two programs in the Big East Conference over the past seven seasons. Pitt is first (179-45 overall, 76-28 conference); Huskies second (167-60, 73-31).

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Consider this response from junior forward Tyrell Biggs when the subject was broached at a news gathering: "Um, we just haven't played too well up there, I guess," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

But the numbers don't lie, and the reality is this: No. 18 Pitt (17-4, 5-3 Big East) is looking to buck a trend when it plays at Connecticut (15-5, 5-3) at 1 p.m. today because the Panthers have won only one of the past six games on the road against the Huskies, with the average margin of defeat in those five losses being 15 points.

Furthermore, Pitt is 9-13 in its history at Connecticut, but since the 1988-89 season the Panthers are 3-11 when they visit the Huskies.

But, for a few reasons, this could be a prime opportunity for Pitt to rise up and earn an uncharacteristic win at Connecticut.

First, the game will be played off-campus in Hartford at the XL Center, as opposed to the more intimate confines of the on-campus, traditionally raucous Gampel Pavilion.

Second, and most glaring, are off-court issues that have rankled Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun and caused uncertainty about the personnel he will have at his disposal against Pitt -- and beyond.

Two key players, starting guard Jerome Dyson (16.3 points per game) and top backcourt reserve Doug Wiggins (6.3 ppg), were cited Jan. 24 for possession of alcohol by a minor after being found by police with a bottle of cognac and a bottle of vodka in Wiggins' car.

According to The Hartford Courant, Wiggins returned to practice Thursday and could play today, but Dyson is out at least 30 days after failing a university- administered drug test after he was found in possession of the alcohol. Connecticut has won two games in a row without the duo, defeating Indiana and Louisville.

"They are a strong team and have a lot of pieces to their puzzle," Biggs explained. "We watched their game against Louisville, and a lot of people stepped up for them."

One has been 7-foot-3 center Hasheem Thabeet, who last year looked stiff and robotic at times but is averaging 11.1 points per game and 7.2 rebounds. In the past three games, he has averaged more than 14 points.

"He's a lot better," Biggs said of the native of the East African country of Tanzania. "From free throws to being a lot more mobile and quick on his feet, he has gotten a lot better. We definitely expect him to be a big factor for them. ... We can't let him get easy post position."

Much of the responsibility of limiting Thabeet will rest with Pitt freshman DeJuan Blair.

"Thabeet is a guy you figure was going to improve," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "We saw him in high school and saw his tools and figured he would continue to improve. DeJuan has got to defend him early, not allow him position and be smart on how he plays. ... Offensive boards are the big things you have to take away from Thabeet."

And, if the Panthers are able to do that, they might take something else home with them -- a rare victory at Connecticut.