Temple @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 24, 2019 ) Memphis 76, Temple 85

Temple looks to match a season high with its fourth straight win Tuesday when it visits Memphis in American Athletic Conference action. The Owls have posted victories in five of their last six and have scored at least 70 in each of those triumphs.

Its last time out, Temple topped Tulsa 84-73 behind 49 combined points from Quinton Rose and Shizz Alston Jr. Alston (18.9 points per game) and Rose (16.5) are a dynamic scoring duo for the Owls, who topped Memphis at home 85-76 last month. Rose had 26 points in that one and made five 3s, beginning a run of seven straight games with multiple 3-pointers that ended last week against South Florida. Rose picked back up by making a pair of 3s against Tulsa and hopes to be a factor from long range against a Tigers team that is seeking its fifth victory in six games.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT TEMPLE (20-7, 10-4 American): Temple scored a season-high 53 second-half points against Tulsa en route to an 84-73 win. Alston is averaging 25.3 points over the last three games and has recorded at least five assists in five consecutive outings. Nate Pierre-Louis (13.9 points) has scored at least 10 points in 15 of his last 16 games and had no turnovers in 32 minutes against Tulsa.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (17-11, 9-6): Jeremiah Martin is by far the top scorer for Memphis, averaging 19.0 points, not to mention 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals. The senior guard has been on a tear over the last seven games with point totals of 25, 26, 31, 37, 41 and 43 in that stretch. He made five 3-pointers for the second straight game versus Wichita State on Saturday and made 14-of-14 from the foul line to help the Tigers post an 88-85 victory.

TIP-INS

1. Memphis G Raynere Thornton (7.7 points, 6.5 rebounds) is averaging 15 points and nine boards over the last two games.

2. Temple C Ernest Aflakpui has missed the last two games with a leg injury.

3. De'Vondre Perry leads the Owls with 10 blocks. Memphis has six players with more than 10 blocks.

PREDICTION: Memphis 77, Temple 72