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UConn Breezes Past DePaul In Big East Tournament Opener

NEW YORK (AP/CBSNewYork) — Jeremy Lamb scored 25 points and Ryan Boatright added 19 to lead Connecticut to an 81-67 victory over DePaul on Tuesday in the opening round of the Big East Tournament.

The ninth-seeded Huskies (19-12) will play eighth-seeded West Virginia in the second round on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

Connecticut, the defending Big East Tournament and national champion, had coach Jim Calhoun back on the bench for the second straight game. He had back surgery just eight days ago after missing eight games, of which the Huskies won only three.

Calhoun looked like his old self during the game, getting up and down from his seat often and making his way on the court at a whistle to make sure Boatright understood what he wanted him to do in running the offense.

Cleveland Melvin and Moses Morgan both had 19 points for the 16th-seeded Blue Demons (12-19), who closed the season losing 10 of their last 11.

Does UConn have what it takes to make another improbable run in the Big East Tournament? Let us know...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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