UConn and SMU share so much in common.

Both teams are in a funk — the Huskies tying a season-high with three straight losses and and the Mustangs on a season-high five-game losing streak.

Injuries have hurt both teams and damaged their depth.

They're both relying on young players with predictable results.

And they share ninth place in the American Athletic Conference standings, both at 4-8.

One team will emerge with a much-needed victory on Thursday when UConn (13-12 overall) visits SMU (12-12) at Moody Coliseum in Dallas (9 p.m., ESPN2).

During his coach's radio show on Tuesday, coach Dan Hurley talked about the desperate state of both teams.

"They'll be staring at us like a wolf stares at food in the winter when it is hungry," Hurley said. "And we better be looking at them the same way because we should just as desperate. This is Desperation Bowl on Thursday night because it's the next game obviously that you have to win.

"If you peek ahead, you have Cincinnati coming in (Sunday) if you're us and at Wichita State (Feb. 28). Obviously, you don't want to keep sliding. If you want to stop the bad momentum, you have to win the next game. They look at us the same way. It's a winnable game for both of us. We both feel like we've got to get it."

UConn ended its last three-game losing streak this season by beating SMU 76-64 on Jan. 10 in Storrs. The starting backcourt of Jalen Adams and Alterique Gilbert combined for 40 points.

But the Huskies are a different team than the last meeting. They've lost Adams with a possible season-ending knee injury. A left shoulder injury has sidelined Gilbert for the last five games during which UConn has gone 1-4.

The Huskies could receive a boost if Gilbert returns Thursday. This week's break (UConn hasn't played since last Thursday) has given him a chance to heal.

"This was a good week for him," Hurley said. "He's got more reps. He's able to practice well and be in practice. No setbacks. He's done well; We're happy. ... We'll see how he feels in shoot-around (Thursday).

"But he's feeling much better and much more confident. He's got that smile back. He's running around making plays. Everyone is excited to have him back in practice."

Even if Gilbert is ready to play, he'll be rusty and likely a bit cautious, so don't expect him to single-handedly rescue the Huskies.

The Mustangs have also had to adjust to losing a starter to injury in senior guard Jarrey Foster. They're playing more zone now, but they remain one of the top rebounding teams in the conference (they out-rebounded UConn by 15 in the first meeting and had 23 on the offensive end), and are still led by senior guard Jahmal McMurray, who's fourth in the AAC in scoring.

"Different game," Hurley said. "They're missing a key piece. If Al plays, he probably won't be at his best so we'll be missing a player and a half even if Al is in because he's not going to be at full strength."

UConn will try to end two winless streaks. The Huskies are 0-6 on the road this season and have never won at Moody Coliseum in four tries.

g.keefe@theday.com

UCONN at SMU

Location: Moody Coliseum, Dallas

Tip: 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

Records: UConn 13-12, 4-8; SMU 12-12, 4-8

Last game: UConn lost to No. 9 Houston, 71-63, Thursday; SMU lost at Temple, 82-74, Feb. 13.

Probable starters: SMU, 6-0 sr. guard Jahmal McMurray (17.7 pts), 6-3 jr. guard Jimmy Whitt (12.8 pts, 6.5 rebs, 4.3 assists), 6-8 fr. forward Feron Hunt (6.8 pts, 6.3 rebs), 6-8 so. forward Isiaha Mike (12.3 pts, 5.3 rebs), 6-9 so. forward Ethan Chargois (12.5 pts, 6.7 rebs)

UConn, 6-3 grad guard Tarin Smith (8.7 pts), 6-2 jr. guard Christian Vital (14 pts, 6.1 rebs), 6-7 r-fr. forward Sidney Wilson (4.8 pts, 2.6 rebs), 6-8 so. forward Tyler Polley (8 pts, 2.3 rebs), 6-10 so. forward Josh Carlton (8.2 pts, 5.8 rebs)

Noteworthy: UConn lost four of last five, SMU lost 7 of 8. ... Teams tied for ninth in AAC standings. ... Series: UConn trails, 9-4, winning last meeting 76-64 Jan. 10 in Storrs. Huskies shot 52 percent, out-rebounded 41-26. ... Injury update: Alterique Gilbert (left shoulder) questionable, Jalen Adams (left knee) out. SMU's Jarrey Foster out. ... Top reserve: 6-4 sr. guard Nat Dixon (5.8 pts). ... Four of SMU's last five losses by six or fewer pts. ... Mustangs 2nd in AAC in offensive rebounds per game (13.4), fourth in reb margin (+4.5). ... Hot: Mike averaging 18.4 pts, 7.8 rebs in last 5 games. Cold: UConn shooting 41.2 percent on the road. ... SMU 9-6 at home. ... Huskies 0-10 when trailing at half, 8-1 when holding an opponent under 70 pts. ... Carlton at 10.2 pts and 10.2 rebs in last 5 games. ... In ACC play, SMU averaging and allowing 71.4 pts per game. UConn scoring 71.6 pts, allowing 71.2 pts. ... Huskies lost by an average of 7.8 pts in six road losses. ... Up next: UConn hosts Cincinnati at 2 p.m. Sunday in Hartford. Ceremony will honor 1999 national championship team.

— Gavin Keefe

UCONN at SMU

Location: Moody Coliseum, Dallas

Tip: 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

Records: UConn 13-12, 4-8; SMU 12-12, 4-8

Last game: UConn lost to No. 9 Houston, 71-63, Thursday; SMU lost at Temple, 82-74, Feb. 13.

Probable starters: SMU, 6-0 sr. guard Jahmal McMurray (17.7 pts), 6-3 jr. guard Jimmy Whitt (12.8 pts, 6.5 rebs, 4.3 assists), 6-8 fr. forward Feron Hunt (6.8 pts,  6.3 rebs), 6-8 so. forward Isiaha Mike (12.3 pts, 5.3 rebs), 6-9 so. forward Ethan Chargois (12.5 pts, 6.7 rebs)

UConn, 6-3 grad guard Tarin Smith (8.7 pts), 6-2 jr. guard Christian Vital (14 pts, 6.1 rebs), 6-7 r-fr. forward Sidney Wilson (4.8 pts, 2.6 rebs), 6-8 so. forward Tyler Polley (8 pts, 2.3 rebs), 6-10 so. forward Josh Carlton (8.2 pts, 5.8 rebs)

Noteworthy: UConn lost four of last five, SMU lost 7 of 8. ... Teams tied for ninth in AAC standings. ... Series: UConn trails, 9-4, winning last meeting 76-64 Jan. 10 in Storrs. Huskies shot 52 percent, out-rebounded 41-26. ... Injury update: Alterique Gilbert (left shoulder) questionable, Jalen Adams (left knee) out. SMU's Jarrey Foster out. ... Top reserve: 6-4 sr. guard Nat Dixon (5.8 pts). ... Four of SMU's last five losses by six or fewer pts. ... Mustangs 2nd in AAC in offensive rebounds per game (13.4), fourth in reb margin (+4.5). ... Hot: Mike averaging 18.4 pts, 7.8 rebs in last 5 games. Cold: UConn shooting 41.2 percent on the road. ... SMU 9-6 at home. ... Huskies 0-10 when trailing at half, 8-1 when holding an opponent under 70 pts. ... Carlton at 10.2 pts and 10.2 rebs in last 5 games. ... In ACC play, SMU averaging and allowing 71.4 pts per game. UConn scoring 71.6 pts, allowing 71.2 pts. ... Huskies lost by an average of 7.8 pts in six road losses. ... Up next: UConn hosts Cincinnati at 2 p.m. Sunday in Hartford. Ceremony will honor 1999 national championship team.

— Gavin Keefe