The No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats (28-4, 17-2 AAC) square off against the Memphis Tigers (21-12, 12-8 AAC) in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at Amway Center. The game gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 10, 2018.
Cincinnati is a 16.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 130.5 points.
Memphis Tigers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Free Prediction
The last time the Tigers played, they topped the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 67-64. Memphis had an effective field goal percentage of 0.573 (above their season average of 0.508). Tulsa, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 12.7 (better than their season average of 16.4). Memphis received a boost from Kareem Brewton Jr., who finished with 15 points.
The Bearcats defeated the SMU Mustangs in their last game, 61-51. The Bearcats had a much better free throw rate (0.193 vs. 0.036) and held the Mustangs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.5 (below their season average of 32.9). With 12 points and 11 rebounds, Cincinnati’s Gary Clark put together a good outing.
Cincinnati could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense faces off against one of the worst defenses in the NCAA. The Bearcats rank 34th in offensive efficiency, while Memphis ranks 253rd in defensive efficiency. It could also be a mistake-prone game for the offense of the Tigers, which ranks 309th in ball security (turnover percentage of 20.8 percent). They’ll be going up against the top-notch defense of the Bearcats, which forces the 11th-most turnovers in the nation (22.8 percent).
Memphis is 21-12 straight up (SU), but they are just 13-15-1 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Tigers have typically gone over the total (55.2 percent).
Meanwhile, Cincinnati is 28-4 SU and 17-11 ATS. Contrary to Memphis, Bearcats games tend to finish under the projected point total (59.3 percent).
The Bearcats have emerged victorious in both matchups against the Tigers this year, including a 62-48 victory the last time these teams met. Cincinnati covered as a 12-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 110 points, which was 19.5 points below the projected point total of 129.5 points. Cincinnati launched 18 three pointers, making eight of them (44.4 percent). Memphis was, meanwhile, just 3-17 (17.6 percent). Clark had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 18 points and nine rebounds.
Memphis Tigers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Cincinnati, ATS Winner – Memphis, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Cincinnati ranks 10th in assists allowed per game (10.1) while Memphis ranks 224th (14.7).
The Bearcats rank 19th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Tigers rank 203rd (7.3).
Cincinnati ranks 21st in rebounds per game (39.2) while Memphis ranks 200th (34.4).
The Bearcats rank 102nd in three pointers allowed per game (20.6) while the Tigers rank 233rd (23.5).
Cincinnati ranks ninth in blocks per game (5.6) while Memphis ranks 128th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Memphis is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Cincinnati is 3-2 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Tigers have outscored opponents by an average of 1.0 point in their last five games. For the season, Memphis has lost by an average of 0.1 points.
During their last five games, the Bearcats have scored an average of 72.0 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 57.4 points per game (0.3 above their season average).
—–
