Memphis returns to FedExForum Sunday afternoon to face off against UNLV and former head coach Josh Pastner. This will be the sixth all-time matchup against the Runnin’ Rebels and the first matchup in Memphis since 1987.

The Tigers won this matchup last season 80-74, but a lot has changed for both teams since that meeting. Penny Hardaway replaced all 15 players, while UNLV made a head coaching change and brought in 13 newcomers.

Pastner’s team will hit the road following a 1-2 start at home, including losses against UT Martin and Montana. Despite the 1-2 start, UNLV is averaging 91.7 points, and Illinois transfer Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn leads the team with 19 points per game.

While they rank in the top 40 in points per game, they’ve had trouble slowing opponents down and allow 85.7 points per contest. In their most recent game, the Runnin’ Rebels gave up 102 points against Montana, and opponents are shooting 35.6 percent from three against them, which ranks No. 243 in the country.

Memphis looks to get back into the win column following a six-point loss Tuesday night on the road against Ole Miss. The Tigers shot 46.7 percent from the field in that game, but they couldn’t slow down the Rebels. 

Ole Miss shot 51.9 percent from the field and 61.5 percent from three, and Memphis will need to do a better job limiting quality shots against a fast-paced UNLV offense.

Here’s how to watch Sunday’s matchup against UNLV:

TV: ESPN

Stream: WatchESPN

Time: 4:00 CT

Line: Memphis -9.5

What to expect from the Tigers:

One of the biggest issues through two games for the Tigers has been the performances from the bigs. Through two games, Aaron Bradshaw is averaging four points and two rebounds, Thierno Sylla is averaging 3.5 points and five rebounds and Tariq Ingraham has only played one minute.

It was reported before the season that Ingraham was not in playing shape, but he’s expected to play a big role on this team. It will be interesting to see if the Rider transfer can give coach Hardaway minutes against the Runnin’ Rebels. 

While UNLV has a 7-foot center on the roster, he hasn’t played due to injury, and Paster started a pair of 6-foot-8 forwards in all three games. Memphis clearly has the size advantage in the front court, and this should be a great opportunity for the bigs to dominate this matchup.

Another thing to keep an eye on will be the production from Curtis Givens III and Ashton Hardaway. Both players struggled in the two exhibition games, but they were the two leading scorers against Ole Miss.

Givens III led the team with 20 points, while Hardaway gave the team a spark off the bench with 16 points. 

Hardaway started both exhibition games but was moved to the bench ahead of the first game of the season. The junior could play a huge role on this team if he can continue to knock down shots off the bench, and coach Hardaway will look for him to be a spark plug in the rotation.

Memphis rolled with the same starting lineup in both games to start the season, and it’ll be interesting to see if they stick with the same five or make a change against UNLV.