Siena @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 28, 2013 ) Memphis 87, Siena 60

Memphis looks to rebound from a tough loss over the weekend when it returns home to face Siena in its final game of the Houzz Gotham Classic. The Tigers fell to Louisville on Saturday, their first defeat in the five-team, round-robin event which also snapped their four-game winning streak, while the Saints are coming off their easiest win of the season, a 19-point triumph over Bryant.

Siena is led offensively by guard Nico Clareth's 16.2 points per game and backcourt mate Ahsante Shivers' 11.3 average, but the team has plagued this season by its defense, as it is allowing 81.3 points per contest. Memphis isn't exactly an explosive squad offensively, averaging 71.2 points and shooting just 30.1 percent from 3-point range. Coach Tubby Smith does have a couple of dangerous players in point guard Jeremiah Martin (18.1 points, four assists) and forward Kyvon Davenport (12.7 points, 6.6 rebounds), but that duo must be on its game if the Tigers are going to continue to win. Smith likely will be without Jimario Rivers (10.4 points, five rebounds) for Wednesday's contest after the forward suffered a head injury when he ran into Louisville's Anas Mahmoud on Saturday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT SIENA (3-8): Coach Jimmy Patsos is hoping his team can learn from its past mistakes - and losses - when it takes on Memphis. The Saints were blown out by Louisville earlier this month, and Patsos noticed his squad attempted to play 1-on-1 offense too often, allowing the Cardinals to record 15 blocked shots. Patsos is hoping his team - especially freshman point guard Roman Penn (9.4 points) - can learn from that experience and make the easy pass rather than trying to beat a double-team situation.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (7-3): The loss to Louisville gave Smith some positive thoughts on his team - including junior college transfer Mike Parks Jr., who came into the contest averaging 3.4 points and three rebounds despite starting every game this season. Smith challenged Parks before the contest and the forward responded, finishing with eight points and seven rebounds in a season-high 31 minutes while providing solid post play on both ends of the floor. Smith is hoping that becomes a trend rather than a rarity for Parks, who really could help the Tigers if he can be a presence in the paint on a consistent basis.

TIP-INS

1. Siena likely will be without freshman C Prince Oduro, who has been dealing with plantar fasciitis, which means F Evan Fisher could move back into the starting lineup.

2. Smith said if Rivers can't play against Siena, F Kareem Brewton Jr. likely would move back into the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the last three contests.

3. Despite Martin's 83.1 percent shooting, the Tigers continue to struggle at the free-throw line, hitting just 69.1 percent of their attempts.

PREDICTION: Memphis 76, Siena 60