UConn has never beaten Southern Methodist University.

  The Huskies have to break that drought to have any shot at playing in the NCAA tournament this season.

   They'll get their another shot at SMU this afternoon, hosting the 21st-ranked Mustangs in an American Athletic Conference game at the XL Center in Hartford.

   "This game is really, really important," red-shirt sophomore Rodney Purvis said.

   The two teams could meet again in the conference tournament.

   Here's a pre-game preview:

   Tip: 2 p.m. (CBS)

   Records: SMU 23-5, 14-2; UConn 16-11, 9-6

   Last game: SMU won at Memphis, 66-57, Thursday; UConn won at East Carolina, 60-49, Wednesday

   Probable starters: UConn, 6-0 sr. guard Ryan Boatright (17.5 pts, 4.3 rebs, 4.2 assists), 6-4 r-s so. guard Rodney Purvis (9.8 pts), 6-7 fr. forward Daniel Hamilton (10.6 pts, 7.7 rebs), 6-10 jr. forward Phil Nolan (1.0 pts, 1.4 rebs), 7-0 so. center Amida Brimah (10.6 pts, 4.9 rebs, 3.2 blks)

   SMU, 5-9 jr. guard Nic Moore (14.6 pts, 5.4 assists), 6-4 sr. guard Ryan Manuel (6.5 pts), 6-6 so. guard Sterling Brown (4.9 pts, 4.0 rebs, 6-8 so. forward Ben Moore (7.3 pts, 5.1 rebs), 6-11 sr. center Yanick Moreira (11.5 pts, 6.7 rebs)

   Noteworthy:

   -- It's obvious that UConn needs some big wins to improve its resume. The Huskies have just three regular season games remaining.

   "Whoever we face, if a YMCA team came out and played at XL, we'd need a win," coach Kevin Ollie said. "That's what it's all about." 

   -- League-leading Mustangs have won 13 of last 14 and seven straight road wins.

   -- Series: UConn trails 4-0, losing 73-55 on Feb. 14 in Dallas. Boatright had 19 points and the Huskies shot 34 percent from the field and made 15 turnovers.

  -- Top reserve: forward Markus Kennedy (10.5 pts, 5.8 rebs).

  -- SMU leads the AAC in scoring (68.9), FG percentage (49.7), FG percentage defense (38.0), rebounding margin (5.7), assists (16.9) and scoring margin (12.0).

   Purvis: "They've got experience. They've got size. They've got balance. ... They've got all the qualities of a good team. And they all share the ball and play well together."

  -- The Huskies are 5-1 at XL Center this season. The Mustangs are a conference best 8-3 on the road.

 -- Boatright on the importance of a good start: "If we can get off to a good start, it will get the crowd into it early and get everybody's confidence going and juices flowing early."

  -- Hot: Shooting 71.1 percent from the field, Brimah is on pace to set single season program record for field goal percentage.

  -- Cold: Omar Calhoun is shooting 29.2 percent (7-for-24) from the field in last four games.

  -- Ollie on Nic Moore, Boatright's main contender for AAC player of the year: "Whatever you think a point guard is, he does. He's mentally tough. When they need a bucket, he goes gets it. When they need a stop, he goes gets it. He's a winner. They look at him for leadership and he comes through every time."

   -- Injury update: Rakim Lubin (concussion) doubtful, Sam Cassell Jr. (stress fracture) out.

  -- Boatright joins Shabazz Napier as only UConn players in top 10 in all-time points and assists.

 -- UConn completes the regular season by hosting Memphis Thursday and visiting Temple on Saturday.