It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the No. 21 Cincinnati Bearcats (8-2) welcome the Memphis Tigers (9-4) to BB&T Arena. The game will air on ESPNU at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31, 2017.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 131.5 points with Cincinnati opening as a 20-point favorite.
Memphis Tigers at Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Prediction
In the Tigers’ last outing, they were beaten by the LSU Tigers, 71-61. LSU made 13 of their 26 three pointers (50.0 percent). Memphis, meanwhile, was just 4-22 (18.2 percent). Kyvon Davenport was Memphis’ high scorer with 17 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
The Bearcats won big over the Cleveland State Vikings in their last matchup, 81-62. The Bearcats, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.5, had an extraordinary mark of 53.6, while the Vikings had a turnover percentage of 25.6 (above their season average of 18.2). Gary Clark was the top scorer from either team with 18 points on 9-for-12 shooting.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Cincinnati figures to have a considerable edge. The Bearcats defense ranks 21st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.446), while the Memphis offense is ranked 255th in effective field goal percentage (0.491). Additionally, the Tigers, who rank 18th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.308), will face a difficult test against the Bearcats, who rank 33rd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.176).
Memphis is 9-4 straight up (SU), but they have trouble covering the spread (3-6-1 against the spread (ATS)). Tigers games tend to go under the O/U total (60.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Cincinnati is 8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS. Games including the Bearcats also tend to go under the total (66.7 percent).
After the Bearcats won the sole contest against the Tigers last season, 87-74, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Bearcats knocked down 23 of their 28 free throws (82.1 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (8.0 vs. 16.2).
Memphis Tigers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cincinnati, ATS Winner – Memphis, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Memphis is 1-2 ATS on the road with 2 overs and 1 under.
Cincinnati is 2-2 ATS at home with 2 overs and 1 under.
Cincinnati averages 18.4 assists per game, which ranks 12th in the NCAA. Memphis ranks 179th in assists allowed per game (15.1).
The Bearcats rank 23rd in rebounds per game (40.7) while the Tigers rank 179th (34.8).
Cincinnati ranks seventh in blocks per game (6.5) while Memphis ranks 126th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
The Bearcats rank 17th in steals per game (8.9) while the Tigers rank 131st in steals allowed per game (6.8).
Cincinnati ranks 124th in three pointers attempted per game (22.6) while Memphis ranks 214th in three pointers allowed per game (24.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Memphis is 2-2 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over.
Cincinnati is 2-2 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 1.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bearcats have scored an average of 72.0 points per game (10.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 58.0 points per game (3.2 below their season average).
