Alcorn St. @ Memphis preview

It has been a tumultuous beginning to what was a promising season for Memphis, and the 15th-ranked Tigers look to produce some positive energy when they host Alcorn State on Saturday. Memphis, which brought in the nation’s top-rated recruiting class, lost 82-74 against No. 14 Oregon on Tuesday before freshman phenom James Wiseman dropped his lawsuit against the NCAA and was declared ineligible for receiving improper benefits while the school works on getting him back.

“In order to move the matter forward, the University has declared James ineligible and will immediately apply for reinstatement,” the university said in a statement about Wiseman, who averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in the first three games. “Pending that notification, James will be withheld from competition but will continue to practice with the team.” The Tigers look to move forward and shoot the ball better than Tuesday when they connected on just 37.7 percent from the field and allowed the Ducks to drain almost half their attempts. “We just got to learn from this, learn from tough losses like this on the road,” Memphis freshman guard Lester Quinones told reporters. “We just got outplayed (Tuesday), gave up a lot of offensive rebounds, missed out on some of the little things. … We just really have to learn from stuff like this and just come together.” Alcorn State lost to DePaul by 18 and Louisiana Monroe 73-72 in overtime before beating NAIA foe Paul Quinn 111-59 on Tuesday.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT ALCORN STATE (1-2): The Braves shot 56.2 percent from the field overall, drained 17-of-37 from 3-point range and forced 20 turnovers on Tuesday as five players scored in double figures. Junior guard Troymain Crosby led the way with 20 points and tops the club with a 15.3 average while senior forward Deshaw Andrews is second on the team (11.7) and has connected on 6-of-11 from behind the arc. Senior guards Maurice Howard (10.7 points, 3.7 assists) and Corey Tillery (10.0) are also averaging in double figures scoring and 6-9 junior forward Kobe Wilson tops the Braves in rebounds (9.0).

ABOUT MEMPHIS (2-1): The Tigers will need everyone to contribute a little more with Wiseman on the sidelines and there are plenty of players with the ability to step up as four other freshmen are averaging at least 9.7 points. Boogie Ellis leads that group at 12 points per game, including 9-of-21 from 3-point range, while D.J. Jeffries (10.3) scored 12 against Oregon and is shooting 52.2 percent from the field. Quinones has contributed 10 points along with four assists per contest and Precious Achiuwa is adding 9.7 points and 6.3 rebounds after being limited to five points and four boards versus Oregon.

TIP-INS

1. Memphis freshman G Damion Baugh is averaging 6.3 points to go along with team highs of 6.3 assists and 1.7 steals.

2. Alcorn State was picked ninth out of 10 teams in the SWAC preseason poll while Howard was picked for the first team.

3. Tigers sophomore G Alex Lomax is averaging 7.0 points, 3.3 assists and shooting 10-of-15 from the field.

PREDICTION: Memphis 82, Alcorn State 56