Little Rock @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 19, 2018 ) Little Rock 89, Memphis 99

Life without standout freshman center James Wiseman went smoothly in an easy victory over the weekend, but things are expected to get progressively harder over the next three games for 20th-ranked Memphis. Wiseman was declared ineligible by the NCAA last week for receiving improper benefits and is out indefinitely as the Tigers prepare to host Little Rock on Wednesday night, before taking on a pair of Power 5 teams.

“We don’t want to change too much because we know (Wiseman’s) going to be back earlier than later,” Memphis coach Penny Hardaway told reporters after Saturday’s 102-56 rout of Alcorn State. “The guys can slide over. They already understand the rotations. They understand the offensive side and the defensive side of what we want.” The Tigers, who will follow up Wednesday’s game with matchups against Ole Miss at home (Nov. 23) and North Carolina State (Nov. 28) in Brooklyn, N.Y., still have plenty of talent left from the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class without Wiseman (19.7 points, 10.7 boards) in the lineup and expect to continue to log victories. “We understand (Wiseman) is not playing right now, which hurts … because he’s a big part of the team,” Memphis freshman forward Precious Achiuwa told reporters. “But this is an opportunity for other guys to play.” Little Rock, coached by former NBA standout Darrel Walker, was picked 11th out of 12 teams in the preseason Sun Belt Conference poll and has opened with three wins in four games - losing only to Illinois State by five - after rolling past Central Arkansas 76-56 on Sunday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT LITTLE ROCK (3-1): Sophomore guard Markquis Nowell has recorded at least 20 points in his last three games (28 versus Illinois State) and tops the team in scoring (21.3), assists (5.8) and steals (3.5). Junior guard Ben Coupet Jr., a transfer from UNLV, has connected on 7-of-13 from 3-point range and is contributing 14 points along with seven rebounds per contest. Junior college transfer Ruot Monyyong, a 6-10 forward, is the only other player averaging in double figures scoring (11.5) after recording 17 against Central Arkansas and leads the Trojans in rebounding (7.8).

ABOUT MEMPHIS (3-1): Guard Lester Quinones stepped up Saturday with a season-high 21 points to push his season average to 12.8 and was named American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday. Achiuwa (12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds) is expected to be more of a force with Wiseman out and the 6-9 forward was Queens, N.Y. scored a season-high 20 while hauling in eight rebounds against Alcorn State. With Wiseman gone, 6-10 senior Isaiah Maurice will get more playing time and he came through Saturday with six points and nine rebounds in 12 minutes for the Tigers, who are shooting 51.8 percent from the field.

TIP-INS

1. Memphis freshman F D.J. Jeffries is averaging 13.7 points in the last three games after being limited to five in the season opener.

2. Little Rock F Kris Bankston is 14-for-17 from the field, but missed the last game with an undisclosed injury and his status is uncertain.

3. Tigers sophomore F Lance Thomas started in place of Wiseman on Saturday and scored 11 after totaling six in the first three games.

PREDICTION: Memphis 84, Little Rock 62