In a highly anticipated AAC matchup, the Memphis Tigers (17-6, 6-4 AAC) are preparing to take on the Tulane Green Wave (13-9, 4-6 AAC) on Sunday afternoon at the FedEx Forum in Memphis. The Tigers are determined to avenge their previous loss to Tulane earlier in the season, which played a role in their fall from the national rankings.

Both teams head into the game with recent victories under their belts. Tulane managed to survive a thrilling overtime game against Temple, emerging with a 92-80 win and covering the 10.5-point spread in OT. On the other hand, Memphis secured a road victory against Temple, triumphing 84-77 as 10-point favorites.

Tulane's success in their last outing was largely due to the outstanding performance of forward Kevin Cross, who led the team with 27 points and seven rebounds. Cross has been in impressive form, consistently scoring 27 points in each of his last two games. Alongside Cross, Jaylen Forbes and Sion James have also been impactful contributors on the offensive end.

The Green Wave currently sits at 115th in the nation according to KenPom rankings. Their offensive efficiency ranks 72nd, while their defensive efficiency trails at 200th. Tulane is known for playing at a fast tempo, as their guard-heavy lineup allows them to rank 12th in pace of play in the nation.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Tigers have experienced a slight decline in the standings. After being ranked as high as 10th in the nation, they suffered a four-game losing streak in conference play. Now standing at 6-4 in the AAC, Memphis aims to reclaim its momentum and climb back up the rankings. Guard David Jones has been instrumental in their recent victories, leading the team with 23 points against Temple.

Jones, along with Jahvon Quinerly and Nae'Qwan Tomlin, form a potent scoring trio for the Tigers. Jones, in particular, leads the AAC in scoring with an impressive average of 21.9 points per game. Memphis will be relying on their star guards to lead them to victory against Tulane.

With their 77th ranking in the nation according to KenPom, Memphis possesses the 73rd-ranked offense and the 93rd-ranked defense. Similar to Tulane, they prefer to play at a fast pace, earning them the 22nd-ranked tempo in the country.

Memphis is determined to avenge their earlier loss to Tulane and make a statement in the AAC. The Tigers' defense, led by the tenacious David Jones, is expected to limit the production of Tulane's top player, Kevin Cross. Jones, averaging 2.2 steals per game, is confident in his ability to guard players in various positions.

The Tigers understand the importance of this matchup as they strive to secure a spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Currently listed in the "Next Four Out" section of Bracketology, a win against Tulane would be a significant step towards their postseason aspirations.

Tipoff for the game is scheduled at 2:00 pm EST and will be broadcasted on ESPN2. Basketball enthusiasts can expect an exhilarating showdown between these two AAC teams as they battle for conference supremacy.