Tubby Smith can relate to what UConn coach Kevin Ollie has experienced during his coaching career.

Long before arriving at Memphis, Smith took over for a coaching legend at Kentucky, replacing eventual Hall of Famer Rick Pitino. Smith won a national championship in his first season in 1998.

While Smith qualified for the NCAA tournament nine more times at Kentucky, including making the Elite Eight three times, he never reached the mountain top again. Pressure mounted and demanding Wildcat fans grew impatient. He eventually left for Minnesota and then Texas Tech before landing at Memphis in 2016.

Ollie's resume isn't as impressive or as long as Smith's but has some similarities. He followed Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun at UConn and won a national championship in his second season in 2014.

Now Ollie is taking some heat from some UConn fans because the Huskies have qualified for the NCAA tournament just once in the last three seasons.

UConn (10-7, 3-2) and Memphis (12-6, 3-2), two American Athletic Conference teams riding three-game winning streaks, meet at 9 p.m. Tuesday at FedExForum in Memphis.

During last week's AAC coaches conference call, Smith was asked about Ollie. He started off by talking about impact of the significant changes in the college basketball landscape.

"First, you have to understand the changes that have taken place, going from the Big East to the American Athletic Conference," Smith said. "A lot of things changed when that happened. I don't think people really have an appreciation. There's a difference now with the Power Five conferences and what we have to compete with. The recruiting, all that has changed."

"But he's done an outstanding job. If he had Alterique (Gilbert), when you lose players like the way he's lost players with injuries, that takes a lot of wind out of your sails. So I've been impressed.

"He's always competitive and Connecticut is always going to be one of the most competitive teams in the country. It's always tough when you follow an outstanding coach and legend like Jim Calhoun. But there's a lot more to it than just that."

The similarities extend to the two teams this season.

UConn and Memphis underwent extreme makeovers, with the Huskies bringing in eight new players and the Tigers 11. Only two starters returned for both teams.

It's taken time for both programs to start to find their grooves. Along the way, the Huskies lost to three nationally-ranked teams and the Tigers to two top 25 foes.

Tuesday's game will feature two of the AAC's top guards and conference player of the year candidates in UConn junior Jalen Adams and Memphis junior Jeremiah Martin.

They've piled up some impressive all-around numbers and taken control during critical stretches in games.

Adams ranks second in the league in scoring at 18.9 points per game, fourth in assists at 4.3, fifth in steals at 1.7 and rebounds as well, averaging 5.1. He's also durable and reliable, averaging a league-best 38.5 minutes.

"He's had a great career," said coach Kevin Ollie recently after Adams recorded his 1,000th career point. "We want him to continue to get better."

Martin, the AAC player of the week after scoring 57 points in two wins, is playing terrific basketball. His scoring average of 18.5 points is third best in the league while also contributing in 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists (fifth in AAC) and 2.3 steals (second).

UConn's improving defense will be tested by Martin and the Tigers.

In the last two games, the Huskies limited opponents to an average of 55 points. Both Central Florida and Tulane scored well under season averages. Momentum is on their side after posting their first true road win of the season — 67-57 at Tulane on Saturday.

On the other hand, Memphis has to be feeling good, too, after winning at Temple, 75-72, Saturday for its first road win in nearly a year.

"Connecticut is playing very, very well," Smith said on the Memphis website. "They've won three in a row now (after) being in the same boat we were in. I know they'll be ready."

g.keefe@theday.com

UCONN at MEMPHIS

Location: FedExForum, Memphis

Tip: 9 p.m. (CBSSN)

Records: UConn 10-7, 3-2; Memphis 12-6, 3-2

Last game: UConn won at Tulane, 67-57, Saturday; Memphis won at Temple, 75-72 (OT), Saturday

Probable starters: UConn, 6-3 jr. guard Jalen Adams (18.9 pts, 5.1 rebs, 4.3 assists), 6-2 so. guard Christian Vital (13.9 pts), 6-8 r-jr. forward Terry Larrier (15.3 pts, 4.9 rebs), 6-8 fr. forward Isaiah Whaley (3.1 pts, 2.9 rebs), 6-9 freshman forward Josh Carlton (3.1 pts, 2.9 rebs)

Memphis, 6-3 jr. guard Jeremiah Martin (18.5 pts, 4.5 rebs, 4.1 assists), 6-6 fr. guard Jamal Johnson (6.6 pts), 6-6 jr. forward Raynere Thornton (4.6 pts, 4 rebs), 6-8 jr. forward Mike Parks, Jr. (5.9 pts, 3.3 rebs), 6-8 jr. forward Kyvon Davenport (12.6 pts, 5.9 rebs)

Noteworthy: Both teams coming off first true road win this season. Both shooting for season-high tying fourth straight win. ... Series: UConn leads, 7-4, winning last meeting 65-62 last February in Hartford. Huskies 3-2 in regular season at FedExForum. ... Top reserves: 6-2 jr. guard Kareem Brewton, Jr. (8.9 pts), 6-8 sr. forward Jimario Rivers (8.6 pts, 4.3 rebs). ... Martin named AAC player of the week, averaging 28.5 pts in two wins. ... Tigers 11-1 at home. ... Memphis 2-0 vs. Tulane and Tulsa, UConn 1-1. ... Hot: Adams averaging 20.6 pts in last five games. Cold: UConn held each of last two foes to below 58 pts... Huskies and Tigers two of worst 3-pt shooting teams in AAC at 31 and 29.8 percent. .. Carlton with his best game vs. Tulane, chipping in season-high 10 pts, 6 rebs. ... Huskies 8-0 when allowing less than 70 pts. ... Reserve Eric Cobb (suspension) out. ... Up next: UConn hosts top-ranked Villanova Saturday in Hartford.

— Gavin Keefe