The Tulsa Golden Hurricane (19-11, 12-6 AAC) challenge the Memphis Tigers (20-12, 11-8 AAC) in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at Amway Center. The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
Tulsa opened as a 3.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 140.5 points.
Memphis Tigers vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane Betting Prediction
The Tigers will be hoping for a similar result after barely hanging on to beat the South Florida Bulls in their last game, 79-77. Memphis’ effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over South Florida. The Tigers had a rate of 0.653 (above their season average of 0.504), while the Bulls posted a mark of 0.565. Memphis received a boost from Kyvon Davenport, who was the team’s high scorer with 27 points on 10-for-13 shooting.
In the Golden Hurricane’s last matchup, they won big over the Temple Owls, 76-58. The Golden Hurricane made 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent) and held the Owls to an effective field goal percentage of 0.393 (below their season average of 0.492). Corey Henderson Jr. was the top scorer from either team with 21 points on 6-for-13 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams clash. Tulsa ranks 257th in possessions per game (67.9) and Memphis is 305th (66.7). Additionally, the Tigers are among the nation’s best at getting to the line, ranking 13th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.303). The Golden Hurricane, meanwhile, rank 10th at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.172.
Memphis holds records of 20-12 straight up (SU) and 13-14-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Tigers games, with 15 overs compared to 13 unders.
Meanwhile, Tulsa is 19-11 SU and 18-9 ATS. Of the Golden Hurricane’s 27 games with betting action, 15 have finished over the O/U total.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Golden Hurricane won the most recent matchup 64-51, covering as 3-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 115 points, which was 25 points below the projected point total of 140 points. The Golden Hurricane’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Tigers. Tulsa had a rate of 19.6, while Memphis posted a mark of 24.9. DaQuan Jeffries put up a double-double in the victory with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Memphis Tigers vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Tulsa, ATS Winner – Tulsa, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Tulsa ranks 109th in three pointers attempted per game (23.1) while Memphis ranks 254th (18.6).
The Tigers rank 143rd in steals per game (6.0) while the Golden Hurricane rank 240th (4.4).
Memphis ranks 79th in blocks per game (3.9) while Tulsa ranks 153rd in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
The Golden Hurricane rank 191st in assists per game (12.8) while the Tigers rank 228th in assists allowed per game (14.9).
Tulsa averages 38.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 51st in the nation. Memphis ranks 57th in rebounds allowed per game (32.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Memphis is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Tulsa is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Tigers have outscored opponents by an average of 1.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Memphis has been defeated by an average of 0.2 points.
During their last five games, the Golden Hurricane have scored an average of 73.0 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.0 points per game (7.0 below their season average).
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