STORRS, Conn. — At the same time the East Carolina women’s basketball team tips off against undefeated and top-ranked Connecticut, the men’s side will take on the Huskies across town.

The men’s program (10-12, 2-7 American Athletic Conference) is coming off its best week of the season, with two wins in three games over a seven-day span. After knocking off Memphis and Temple, the Pirates fell in double overtime to Houston.

“We’re exhausted. This week has been emotional and it’s been tough,” said ECU head coach Jeff Lebo after the Houston matchup. “We’re just going to keep building, I mean, we’re playing pretty good. You want to keep playing when you’re playing good. But it doesn’t get any bit easier as we go up to UConn.”

ECU has seven days of rest leading into the UConn test after playing its last game Saturday against the Cougars. Junior forward Caleb White, who recently returned against Temple after suffering a concussion, said he was looking forward to the rest.

“It will be good for people’s bodies, and especially mentally, I think,” White said. “We’ll still be practicing and working out, but it’s so taxing during games, so I think it will be good.”

White added that the extra rest will help him get back into rhythm after sitting out.

The Huskies (16-6, 6-3 AAC) won back-to-back road games this week over Central Florida and Memphis. North Carolina State transfer Rodney Purvis has come off the bench of late for the Huskies, and it has worked out. Purvis had 15 points, four steals and three rebounds in the win over Memphis.

Sophomore phenom Daniel Hamilton, who averages nearly 12 points and nine rebounds per game, poured in 16 points and had 13 rebounds against the Tigers. Shonn Miller, another dual threat for the Huskies, averages a team-high 13.4 points and six rebounds.

The Huskies beat the likes of Michigan, Texas and Ohio State in its non-conference schedule and currently sit fourth in the conference. White said the competitiveness in conference can bring the best out of teams.

“When everyone is bringing it, everyone is very close,” White said. “It’s very competitive. Any given night, anyone on any team can go off for 20 (points). Teams are good and teams are complete so you have to come out and compete everyday.”

The Pirates won another rebounding battle in the loss to Houston, which is another undersized team. UConn does not offer the same look under the basket, especially with the return of 7-footer Amida Brimah. Brimah has appeared in just 11 games for the Huskies while racking up a team-high 29 blocks in those outings.

The Pirates have made a living off of drives leading to fouls and kick-out plays. Brimah, and the other forwards that make UConn the fourth-best shot blocking team in the conference, may cut down on that tactic if they stay out of foul trouble.

Though the ECU women face a much more daunting task Sunday, the men’s team take on a major test that could swing momentum headed into a push matchup against a struggling Tulane team next Wednesday.