The 11th-ranked Houston Cougars (30-2, 17-2 AAC) meet the Memphis Tigers (21-12, 13-7 AAC) in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at FedExForum. The game starts at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 16, 2019, and will air on ESPN2.
Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers ATS Odds
Both teams had no trouble getting past their last opponent. The Tigers defeated the UCF Knights 79-55, while the Cougars beat the Connecticut Huskies 84-45.
Houston dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 7.4 (better than their season average of 14.6) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.536 (above their season average of 0.529). Connecticut recorded marks of 14.6 and 0.287, respectively, for those same stats. Meanwhile, Memphis played a flawless game. They had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 38.9 (above their season average of 33.5) and a free throw rate of 0.333 (above their season average of 0.267). For those same stats, UCF was 22.9 and 0.208, respectively. Kyvon Davenport was a key piece for Memphis with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Houston, meanwhile, was lifted by Corey Davis Jr., who put up 22 points.
It will be a matchup of conflicting paces as the fast-breaking Tigers (ranked 10th in the country in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Cougars (272nd in possessions per game). Moreover, the Cougars rank 28th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.4 percent), while the Tigers rank 276th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.5 percent).
Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Memphis, ATS Winner – Memphis, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Houston ranks 20th in assists allowed per game (10.5) while Memphis ranks 234th (15.0).
- The Cougars average 40.9 rebounds per game, which ranks seventh in the country. The Tigers rank 171st in rebounds allowed per game (35.4).
- Houston averages 25.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 54th in the country. Memphis ranks 217th in three pointers allowed per game (23.9).
- The Cougars rank eighth in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while the Tigers rank 194th (4.5).
- Houston ranks 50th in steals allowed per game (5.4) while Memphis ranks 221st (8.0).
Bettings Trends:
- The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.6, up from 6.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cougars have scored an average of 84.4 points per game (7.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.4 points per game (4.3 above their season average).
