The American Athletic Conference championship comes to Hartford next month, representing UConn's only opportunity to qualify for the postseason.

Given their erratic play this season, it's up for debate whether the Huskies can even reach NCAA tournament-worthy status.

They have six regular-season games remaining to establish some momentum.

Tonight's road game against Memphis at FedExForum (9 p.m., ESPN) and the rematch on March 5 in Storrs will be major factors in determining UConn's seeding position in the conference tournament.

The Huskies (14-10, 7-5) and Tigers (15-10, 7-5) are tied for fifth place in the conference. The top five teams receive a first-round bye into the tournament quarterfinals on March 13 and avoid playing a first-round game.

Up until last weekend, UConn appeared to have finally figured things out. The Huskies settled into some offensive rhythm and played as a cohesive, aggressive unit on defense, fueling a season-high tying three-game winning streak.

Then they fell apart on Saturday at AAC leader Southern Methodist University, looking completely overmatched in a 73-55 loss. They allowed their season-high for points in the league.

After winning their first two true road games this season, the Huskies have dropped five of their last six away from home.

With three road games still remaining, UConn will have to reverse that trend to dodge a late-season fade.

The FedExForum has been a nightmarish place to play for most teams, as Memphis owns the most homecourt wins (188) in the country since the 2004-05 season.

The Huskies are an exception. They've won their only two games there, both coming last season - 83-73 on Jan. 16 and 72-53 on March 14 in the AAC tournament quarterfinals.

And they may catch a break tonight with sophomore forward Austin Nichols, one of the AAC's best all-around players, considered questionable. He's missed the last two games with a sprained ankle.

Without Nichols, Memphis lacks its usual offensive punch and is missing a defensive force. He's the only Tiger averaging in double figures at 13.3 points per game and ranks third in the nation in blocks. Junior reserve forward Trahson Burrell is the next top scorer at 8.7 per game.

Senior Ryan Boatright has carried UConn this season and built a case for AAC player of the year honors, averaging 23.4 points, five rebounds and 3.4 assists in the last seven games. He's the league's leading scorer.

"Boatright is playing the game the way it is supposed to be played," UConn coach Kevin Ollie said last week.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe

UCONN at MEMPHIS

Location: FedExForum, Memphis

Tip-off: 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Records: UConn 14-10, 7-5; Memphis 15-10, 7-5

Last game: UConn lost at SMU, 73-55, Saturday; Memphis won at Central Florida, 75-48, Saturday

Probable starters: UConn, 6-0 sr. guard Ryan Boatright (18 pts, 4.5 rebs, 4.4 assists), 6-4 so. guard Terrence Samuel (4.1 pts), 6-4 so. guard Rodney Purvis (9.8 pts), 6-7 fr. forward Daniel Hamilton (10.2 pts, 7 rebs), 7-0 so. center Amida Brimah (9.8 pts, 4.7 rebs, 3.1 blks)

Memphis, 6-2 so. guard Avery Woodson (8.5 pts), 6-4 jr. guard Kedren Johnson (5.1 pts), 6-4 r-s fr. guard Markel Crawford (5.9 pts), 6-8 sr. forward Calvin Godfrey (3.7 pts, 3.6 rebs), 6-9 jr. forward Shaq Goodwin (8.5 pts, 7 rebs)

Noteworthy: Teams tied for fifth place in AAC. ... Series: UConn leads, 3-1, winning all three meetings last season - 83-73 in Memphis, 86-81 (OT) in Hartford, 72-53 in AAC quarterfinals in Memphis. ... Injury update: Memphis leading scorer Austin Nichols (sprained ankle) questionable, UConn reserve Sam Cassell Jr. (stress fracture) out. ... Top reserve: 6-7 jr. forward Trahson Burrell (8.7 pts, 5.3 rebs). ... In AAC, Tigers first in 3-pt FG defense (29.2 percent), second in AAC in scoring (66.0). Fourth in nation in blocks (6.7) per game. ... Memphis with most home wins (188) in country since 2004-05 season. UConn 3-5 on road, losing five of last six. ... Hot: Goodwin averaging 13.8 pts and 12.8 rebs in last four games. Cold: Brimah averaging 6.3 pts in last four games. ... Memphis 7-3 all-time vs. defending national champions, including 4-0 at home. ... Up next: UConn hosts Tulane Sunday in Storrs.

- Gavin Keefe