It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the Memphis Tigers (9-6, 0-2 AAC) welcome the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (10-5, 3-0 AAC) to FedExForum. The game starts at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6, 2018, and will air on ESPNews.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Memphis Tigers Betting Prediction
The last time the Golden Hurricane played, they beat the Connecticut Huskies, 90-88. The Golden Hurricane had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.391 (above their season average of 0.318) and held the Huskies to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.4 (below their season average of 30.2). With 30 points on 8-for-17 shooting, Corey Henderson Jr. was the top scorer from either team.
The Tigers lost to the UCF Knights in their last matchup, 65-56. One of UCF’s largest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They had 31 free throw attempts, while Memphis had 16. Memphis’ Kareem Brewton had a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting.
A focal point for the Memphis offense is getting to the free throw line. The Tigers rank 42nd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.288), but Tulsa is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 49th by yielding a FTA rate of 0.184).
Junior Etou has averaged 19.0 points and 7.8 rebounds over the last five games for Tulsa.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last game, the Tigers won 66-44. Memphis had a much better turnover percentage (14.7 vs. 23.5). Tulsa, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.6 vs. 19.4).
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Memphis Tigers Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Tulsa, ATS Winner – Tulsa, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Tulsa ranks 38th in rebounds per game (39.9) while Memphis ranks 188th (34.5).
The Tigers rank 190th in three pointers allowed per game (23.8) while the Golden Hurricane rank 252nd (27.0).
Memphis ranks 65th in blocks per game (4.2) while Tulsa ranks 97th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Golden Hurricane’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.8, up from 4.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 63.6 points per game (5.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.0 points per game (0.9 above their season average).
