The final showdown in Gampel

A.J. Price has been through a lot in his five years at UConn.

He's been through so much, in fact, that he struggles to recall his first appearance at Gampel Pavilion.

"I can't remember what game it was," Price said as he titled his head in thought. "I don't even know."

After all, between Price's brain hemorrhage, one-year suspension for laptop theft and torn ACL, it's understandable that he doesn't recollect his Gampel debut.

"Oh wait, now I remember," Price said. "AIC. An exhibition game here. It was pretty close. I had 17 points but I didn't play that well."

Price was spot on. He scored 17 points on 7-for-14 shooting (3-for-8 from 3-point range), dished out four assists and committed three turnovers as UConn prevailed, 75-59.

"It was very nerve-wracking," Price said. "A lot of different emotions and feelings go through your body, being that you want to perform at your highest level. I had a lot of expectations on my shoulders, too."

On Saturday at 2 p.m., Price will close the book on a historic career at Gampel when he and fellow seniors Jeff Adrien and Craig Austrie lead No. 2 UConn (26-2, 14-2 Big East) against Notre Dame (16-11, 7-8).

"It's kind of hard to believe that it's going to be your last home game," Price said. "I'm probably going to be emotional when the ceremony starts. I'm going to miss it a lot."

Emotional or not, the Huskies still have a game to play, and Price knows that. After No. 1 Pittsburgh lost to Providence, 81-73, on Wednesday, UConn is in prime position to re-claim the top overall ranking with a win Saturday.

In order to do so, the Huskies will have to cool off a Fighting Irish squad that has been red-hot of late. After losing seven games in a row (the Irish went a full month without a victory), Notre Dame has won four of its last five, including a 90-57 thrashing of then- No. 7 Louisville and a convincing 103-84 win over Providence.

Luke Harangody, the Big East Player of the Year in 2007-2008, continues to post good numbers this season. He leads the league in scoring and rebounding at 24 points and 12.6 boards per game. Senior shooting guard Kyle McAlarney has endured some poor shooting nights - including a 3-for-15 performance in a 69-61 loss to UConn on Jan. 24 - but has picked up his play of late. He hit four 3-pointers and scored 25 points in the Feb. 21 victory over Providence.

"By no stretch of the imagination do we think they are a bad team," Price said. "They have the same core of players and we know they're a good team. We need to impose our will on them, get the ball inside and make sure we get back on defense."

In Wednesday's 93-82 victory over Marquette, UConn didn't need to get the ball inside. Instead, the Huskies did most of their damage from outside - connecting on 11-of-22 3-point attempts, eight of which came from Price, who scored a career-high 36 points.

Stanley Robinson hit his first 3-pointer of the season and seldom-used freshman Scottie Haralson knocked down two back-to-back long-balls in the second half. Haralson scored six points in eight minutes of play. Price said he had a feeling that Haralson would get some time following the season-ending knee injury of Jerome Dyson's.

According to Price, Haralson's contribution as a long-range shooter will be much needed down the stretch.

"He came in [against Marquette], he was ready and he wasn't bashful," Price said. "I know sometime this year he's going to help us in a big game when we really need him."