Tigers, UConn set for Sunday battle at FedExForum

Jeremiah Martin is averaging 33.5 points in his past two games.

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Feb 09, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Memphis Notes (vs. Connecticut)Connecticut Notes (vs. Memphis)

UofM attempting to win its 12th home game during the 2018-19 season.

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis will attempt to improve its record at FedExForum this season to 12-2, but it will require a determined effort at 1 p.m. Sunday against UConn.

The Tigers (13-10, 5-5 The American) have lost three straight – two on the road and Thursday night at home against No. 25 Cincinnati – and would benefit from a victory against the Huskies (13-10, 4-6 The American) before once again returning to the American Athletic Conference road.

UConn will be without its star. Jalen Adams, the team's scoring leader was injured in the first half of the team's 81-63 loss to Temple Wednesday night and was later diagnosed with a severe left knee sprain. He will miss the remainder of the regular season. It is uncertain whether he'll be healthy enough to return by the start of the conference tournament in mid-March.

UConn' other top guard, Alterique Gilbert, possibly could return Sunday after missing the last three games with a shoulder injury. The Huskies have won three of their past five with the losses coming at UCF, the preseason favorite, and Temple, one of the league's surprises this season.

The Tigers played impressively against nationally ranked Cincinnati Thursday night, but the Bearcats closed strong to avoid the upset. Memphis led by 11 early in the second half – and for more than 20 minutes in the game – but league player of the year candidate Jarron Cumberland scored nine straight points in the final three minutes to preserve the win.

Like Memphis, UConn is under the direction of a first-year coach. Dan Hurley was hired to replace Kevin Ollie after last season. Hurley is trying to return the Huskies to national prominence. UConn is the only school in college basketball to have won four national titles in the past 20 years, the last coming in 2014.

Tigers' coach Penny Hardaway, also hired last March, is attempting to return Memphis to national prominence, as well. Memphis hasn't been to the postseason since the end of the 2013-14 season.

Hardaway started all seniors against Cincinnati and the group responded by taking a 35-29 halftime lead, which grew to 40-29 early in the second half.

Hardaway has said his multiple lineups this season – the Tigers have had 10 different starting lineups – is mostly based on matchups.

QUICK FACTS

Tiger forward Kyvon Davenport had fouled out in three straight games. Last season, Davenport was disqualified once in 34 games last season.
Tiger guard Jeremiah Martin is averaging 33.5 points in his past two games. He had a career-high 41 at USF and followed with 26 (including a career-best eight 3-pointers) against Cincinnati.
UConn coach Dan Hurley spent six seasons at Rhode Island before taking the UConn job in March. His last two teams went 51-18, including 28-11 in the Atlantic 10.