Title in Balance

#4 Rutgers will travel to #1 Connecticut on Monday evening in a clash of Women's Basketball powers. The game, however, is more than just another head to head meeting between the two heavyweights. The winner will also take home the regular season Big East crown with them.

ESPN2's Big Monday telecast will feature #4 Rutgers (24-4, 14-1) at #1 Connecticut (28-1, 14-1) in a contest pitting two of the nation's premiere programs. There is much on the line, including bragging rights and a Big East title.

Tip-off from the XL Center in Hartford, Conn., is set for 7 p.m.

Although Uconn's Huskies own a commanding edge in the all-time series versus the Scarlet Knights (20-6), RU has won two straight contests and four of the last six against UConn. RU is also the lone team to defeat the Huskies this season, in an otherwise unblemisshed performance from Geno Auriemma's squad. UConn has also won the regular-season conference championship 12 of the last 14 years. Rutgers won the BE in 2005 and 2006, marking the two championships the Huskies failed to win during this long time span.

The Scarlet Knights secured Coach Stringer's 801st career victory in a 64-49 home victory against Syracuse, while UConn struggled mightily and avoided a near disaster by edging DePaul 77-76.

In addition to a regular season title, the game also contains significant NCAA Tournament seeding ramifications. UConn is a solid #1 seed at this point while Rutgers may fall to a #2 seed with a fifth loss on the season.

During the previous contest between the two teams, Rutgers' sensational guard Epiphanny Prince took over the contest, scoring 27 of her career-high 33 points in the second half. The Scarlet Knights went on to win 73-71 in Piscataway, N.J. and handed UConn their lone loss of the season.

UConn averages a shade under 83 points per game coming into this contest while the Scarlet Knights stingy defense has been allowing 50.6 points per game, on average, during the season. Rutgers comes into the duel sporting a 5-game winning streak while the Huskies have defeated their last 7 opponents.

This game will mark the conclusion of both team's regular season with the victor securing the conference's regular-season title and the top seed in next weekend's Big East tournament.