Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Memphis Tigers Picks, Predictions, Odds

Dec. 14, 2021
Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1) and Memphis Tigers (5-4) meet Monday night at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Alabama 86, Memphis 74

Best Bets

Alabama -165 ML at DraftKings

Alabama -3.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Over 155 (-110) at Caesars

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Memphis Tigers Predictions

Alabama avoided a letdown against Houston last time out, following its triumph against Gonzaga on Dec. 4. The Crimson Tide held off the Cougars by an 83-82 score as the OVER cashed, although Houston did pick up the cover as three-point underdogs. The Tide shot 52% from the field, and 39% from behind the arc, while turning it over just 12 times. They also managed to hit 77% from the free-throw line, which is marked improvement over their season percentage of 67.9%. While Keon Ellis was M.I.A. with just four points and an 0-for-5 shooting night, Juwan Gary, Jaden Quinerly and Jaden Shackelford had his back, posting 17 or more points each. Shackelford connected on 5-of-7 from behind the 3-point line while grabbing eight boards, too.

Memphis lost on its putrid blue home hardwood last time out against Murray State, as its swoon continues. The Tigers have dropped four in a row to Murray, Ole Miss, Georgia and Iowa State, although each of the past three setbacks have been by four or fewer points. They're not just finishing right now, and suddenly the 5-0 SU start by Memphis doesn't look nearly as impressive. Jalen Duren did his best to get the Tigers into the 'W' column, hitting 5-of-6 from the floor to go for 14 points, five boards, three assists and a blocked shot, but only Tyler Harris joined him in the double-digit point club. The Tigers were just 14-of-22 from the charity stripe, or 64%, and that cost them against the Racers.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Memphis Tigers Betting Odds

  • Alabama -165
  • Memphis +140
  • Alabama -3.5 (-110)
  • Memphis +3.5 (-110)
  • Over 155.5 (-110)
  • Under 155.5 (-110)

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

More Odds | Futures Odds

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Memphis Tigers Betting Resources

  • Matchup: SEC vs. AAC
  • Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2021
  • Venue: FedExForum
  • Location: Memphis, Tennessee
  • TV-Time: ESPN - 9:00 p.m. ET

Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 8-1
  • ATS: 6-3
  • O/U: 6-3

Alabama failed to hit the number last time out against Houston, winning by just one point as three-point favorites, but they're still a rock solid 3-1 ATS across the past four outings, and 6-3 ATS in nine games overall this season. They're also 3-1 ATS as a favorite of six or more points on the past four occasions.

Total bettors have really enjoyed the Crimson Tide lately. In fact, it's been a tale of three seasons already. The Tide opened with a pair of OVER results, followed by three consecutive UNDERs, including its lone loss of the season on a neutral-site floor against Iona in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. back on Nov. 25. Since that wake-up call against Rick Pitino's Gaels, however, Bama has rolled up four consecutive OVER results, going for 80 or more points in each outing. In fact, they're averaging 87.5 PPG during the four-game stretch, including 91 points against Gonzaga, which is nearly a bucket better than its season average of 86.0 PPG. Alabama can really fill up the bucket with points.

Memphis Tigers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 5-4
  • ATS: 3-6
  • O/U: 5-4

It's been a tale of two seasons for Memphis, too, but not in a good way. The Tigers flew out of the chute with a 5-0 SU/3-2 start, including a convincing 69-61 win over Virginia Tech on a neutral floor back on Nov. 24, covering as 3.5-point favorites. They scored 89 or more points in each of the first three games, hitting the OVER in each outing, but the Tigers have gone off the rails in a big way lately.

Memphis has dropped four in a row to Iowa State, Georgia and Ole Miss on the road, and Murray State. They were double-digit favorites in three of those outings, so moneyline backers of the underdogs have been loving the Tigers lately. Free-throw issues have been a big problem for the Tigers, though. We documented their struggles against Murray State, but the Tigers were also 23-of-37, or 62%, against Ole Miss in a four-point loss. Even if they're just slightly better in the department, and that's such a simple operation, the Tigers could turn things around just like that. But it's a rather tall order trying to turn it around against a Top 10 team with a high-octane offense.


Alabama has posted 86.0 PPG this season, ranking seventh in the country out of 358 teams. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Alabama Crimson Tide

  • Record: 8-1
  • VI Ranking: 9
  • PS/G: 86.0 (7th)
  • PA/G: 72.2 (265th)
  • ORtg: 114.8 (18th)
  • DRtg: 96.4 (169th)

Inside the Stats - Memphis Tigers

  • Record: 5-4
  • VI Ranking: 81
  • PS/G: 76.1 (96th)
  • PA/G: 68.2 (184th)
  • ORtg: 102.2 (193rd)
  • DRtg: 96.1 (91st)

Key Players to Watch

  • BAMA: Keon Ellis - G (11.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.4 SPG)
  • BAMA: Jaden Shackelford - G (19.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.4 APG, 45.6 3P%)
  • MEM: Emoni Bates - F (11.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, 31.0 3P%)
  • MEM: Jalen Duren - C (10.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.0 BPG, 1.1 APG)

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Memphis Tigers Betting Conclusion

Alabama is playing good basketball lately, winning four in a row with three covers during the span. In addition, playing the Crimson Tide with the OVER is a great parlay opportunity. The OVER has connected in each of the past four, as the Crimson Tide has posted 80 or more points in each game. This will be Alabama's first true road game, although they've obviously played four games in a neutral site, posting a 3-1 SU/ATS record away from home.

Memphis has really been struggling lately, and the reason they've been having difficulty is because of their inability to make free throws. The Tigers have dropped four in a row, while also failing to cover in four in a row. Defense hasn't exactly been their strong suit, allowing 74 or more points in three of the past four outings. You can expect Alabama to put up plenty of points in this high-scoring affair in the FedEx Forum.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Memphis Tigers Betting Trends

  • Alabama is 6-3 ATS in the past nine games overall.
  • Alabama is 1-5 ATS in the past six road games.
  • Memphis is 0-4 ATS in the past four games overall.
  • Memphis is 7-4 ATS in the past 11 games at home.
  • The OVER is 4-0 in the past four games for Alabama.
  • The OVER is 4-1 in five home games for Memphis this season.