Memphis @ UConn

Who will WIN this matchup?

Memphis Tigers (17-7)

@ UConn Huskies (13-11)

Current odds:

Memphis Tigers: (+160)

UConn Huskies: (-180)

• The line for this game is UConn by 4 points.

•Once ranked and a surefire NCAA Tournament team, Memphis now appears to be sitting on the outside looking in after two straight losses, including an upset by South Florida. The Tigers have multiple chances remaining to boost their resume but must start with a road win Sunday at Connecticut — a team they have beaten four straight times — in their last regular-season matchup as conference opponents.The Tigers shot 48 percent from the field in the two most recent American Athletic Conference losses and posted turnover numbers lower than their season average, but were still unable to seal the deal. Following the South Florida loss, coach Penny Hardaway told reporters his team’s success would hinge on toughness, boxing out, getting 50-50 balls and mindset. Freshman forward Precious Achiuwa could be in line for a big game as Connecticut has allowed career highs in points to forwards Martins Igbanu (Tulsa), Tre Scott (Cincinnati) and Feron Hunt (Southern Methodist) in the last three games.

• The Huskies have fell short on multiple occasions against quality opponents, with their last six losses coming by an average of fewer than five points and the largest being a seven-point defeat at Memphis just two weeks ago.

• Achiuwa was injured late in the South Florida contest but managed to play against Cincinnati, dropping 22 points to go with a career-high 17 rebounds, his 13th double-double of the season. Freshman guard Lester Quinones has stepped up since D.J. Jeffries went down with a knee injury, reaching double figures in all four contests and shooting nearly 53 percent from the floor in that span. Guard Boogie Ellis has also gotten hot of late, increasing his scoring average by two points in the last six games, reaching double figures in five of them.

• Freshman James Bouknight has emerged as the best player on the Huskies, averaging 18.5 points over the last six games and eclipsing the 20-point plateau in the last three. Fellow freshman and backcourt mate Jalen Gaffney experienced growing pains after entering the starting lineup, but dropped a career-high 13 points on 62.5 percent shooting against SMU. Leading scorer Christian Vital has reached double figures in each of the last 10 contests, is tied for the team lead in rebounds (6.3 per game) and leads the AAC in steals per game (2.5) and free-throw percentage (.898).

• Memphis’ 36.6 field goal percentage defense is second-best in the nation.

• UConn freshman Akok Akok leads the AAC in total blocked shots (65) and blocks per game (2.7).

• After starting 3-0, UConn has lost its last two games at the XL Center in Hartford.