UConn coach Kevin Ollie has relentlessly preached his message throughout the season.

The Huskies need to work on their listening or execution skills, or both, because it's painfully obvious come game time that something isn't sinking in.

They've regularly strayed from Ollie's game plan. The latest example came in Thursday's 77-52 loss at No. 11 Cincinnati.

Playing without leading scorer Jalen Adams, the Huskies went off script, leading to the program's eighth defeat of at least 20 points. Given the circumstances, the loss wasn't unexpected but the margin of defeat could have been thinner with a better effort.

"I don't care if the walk-ons are playing, you have to follow the game plan," Ollie told reporters after the game. "If we lose games by 20 or more eight times or if we lose games by one point, it still hurts. ... We just want to get better.

"That's what I'm going to try to teach these kids, keep motivating them to play hard and play together and play with humility. That's what I want to see, play with humility. Know who you are and know what it takes for us to win games and understand the game plan."

It's been a common complaint for Ollie, whose slumping team has lost eight of their last 11 games and resides in eighth place in the American Athletic Conference.

Next up is Memphis, which visits Gampel Pavilion in Storrs on Sunday (4 p.m., ESPN). The Tigers (17-11, 8-7) are riding a three-game winning streak.

UConn (13-15, 6-9) is expected to have Adams, the leading scorer and playmaker, back in the lineup after an illness forced him to miss the Cincinnati game. He practiced on Saturday.

Three regular-season games remain for the Huskies to shake their funk and build some momentum for the AAC tournament, which starts next week in Orlando, Fla.

They catch a break with Memphis recently losing starting point guard Jeremiah Martin, the AAC top scorer. Martin suffered a season-ending foot injury in the first half against No. 23 Houston Thursday, but Memphis still pulled off the upset, winning 91-85.

Martin was a force in the first meeting on Jan. 16 in Memphis, contributing 21 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals in a 73-49 win. He's averaging 18.9 points per game.

It was one of UConn's most lopsided losses of the season. An injury kept starter Terry Larrier on the sidelines.

The Huskies are more competitive and productive when the trio of Adams, Larrier and sophomore Christian Vital are all on the floor. They've also comfortable playing at Gampel, where they've dropped just one game this season.

Of course, it also helps if UConn follows the game plan, which includes sharing the basketball and getting everyone involved.

"We just have to do a better job of being unselfish and passing the ball," Ollie said. "We are not talented enough to play individual basketball. We have to play together with a cohesive group. That's what I am going to stress and I am going to be relentless with my message."

UConn needs a win to avoid being guaranteed of finishing with a losing league record for the first time in the AAC's five seasons.

g.keefe@theday.com

UCONN vs. MEMPHIS

Location: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs

Tip: 4 p.m. (ESPN)

Records: UConn 13-15, 6-9; Memphis 17-11, 8-7

Last game: UConn lost at No. 11 Cincinnati, 77-52, Thursday; Memphis beat No. 23 Houston, 91-85, Thursday

Probable starters: UConn, 6-3 jr. guard Jalen Adams (17.8 pts, 4.3 rebs, 4.5 assists), 6-2 so. guard Christian Vital (14.8 pts, 5.3 rebs), 6-8 r-jr. forward Terry Larrier (14 pts, 4.6 rebs), 6-8 fr. Forward Tyler Polley (2.6 pts), 6-9 freshman forward Josh Carlton (4.6 pts, 3.9 rebs)

Memphis, 6-2 jr. guard Kareem Brewton, Jr. (8.4 pts), 6-3 fr. guard Jamal Johnson (6.2 pts), 6-8 jr. forward Mike Parks, Jr. (7.5 pts, 4.3 rebs), 6-8 sr. forward Jimario Rivers (7.3 pts, 3.8 rebs), 6-8 jr. forward Kyvon Davenport (12.9 pts, 6 rebs)

Noteworthy: UConn 2-6 in last eight games. Memphis won three straight. ... Eighth-place Huskies 1-9 vs. teams above them in standings. Tigers tied for 5th place. ... Series: UConn leads, 7-5, losing last meeting 73-49 Jan. 16 at Memphis, playing without Larrier. Carlton led UConn with 15 pts, Parks Jr. had career-high 21 pts and 11 rebs for Memphis. ... Last four meetings at UConn decided by an average of 3.0. pts. ... Top reserve: jr. swingman Raynere Thornton (4.9 pts, 3.7 rebs). ... Big loss: AAC scoring leader Jeremiah Martin (broken foot) out for the season. ... Huskies 10-4 overall at home, including 6-1 at Gampel. Tigers 4-5 on the road. ... Hot: Polley 9-for-17 from 3-point range in AAC games. Cold: Larrier with 14 turnovers in last five games. ... Huskies shooting only slightly better at home (41.5 percent) than on road (40.6). ... UConn 10-1 when holding foes under 70 pts. ... Adams and Vital top scoring duo in AAC, averaging a combined 34.2 pts. ... Up next: UConn hosts Temple Wednesday in Storrs.

– Gavin Keefe