Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars Predictions, Picks, Odds

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The Memphis Tigers (13-8) will travel to take on their American Conference rival Houston Cougars (20-3) on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas and can be viewed on ABC.

SCORE PREDICTION

Houston 73, Memphis 67

BEST BETS

Memphis +10.5 (-110) at Treasure Island

MEMPHIS TIGERS VS. HOUSTON COUGARS PREDICTIONS

The sixth ranked Houston Cougars snapped a 12-game winning streak with a tough 83-85 loss to SMU on Wednesday night. Good news for the Cougars is they will return home to the Fertitta Center where they have won 37 straight games. Additionally, the Cougars have won 23 straight games following a loss under head coach Kelvin Sampson. Houston currently sits atop the American Athletic Conference with a 9-1 record in conference play.

The Memphis Tigers are on a four-game winning streak after defeating Tulane 80-69 on Wednesday night. Memphis has been a streaky team throughout the season, but still find themselves in third place in the AAC with a 7-4 conference record. In his fourth season as head coach, Penny Hardaway is just 1-5 against Houston. This will be the Tigers second top 10 matchup of the season, the first being against Alabama, a game they won 92-78.

Having won 37 straight at the Fertitta Center and 23 in a row after a loss, I would normally find it hard to bet against Houston in this scenario, but ten points is too many to lay here. Memphis will more than likely not win this game; however, I do think they keep the loss to single digits. Taking the points and Memphis here.

MEMPHIS TIGERS VS. HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING ODDS

Memphis +360
Houston -490
Memphis +10.5 (-110)
Houston -10.5 (-110)
Over 141 (-110)
Under 141 (-110)

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MEMPHIS TIGERS VS. HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING RESOURCES

Matchup: AAC
Date: Saturday, February 12, 2022
Venue: Fertitta Center
Location: Houston, Texas
TV-Time: ABC - 3:30 p.m. ET

MEMPHIS TIGERS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

SU: 13-8
ATS: 8-12-1
O/U: 12-9

Memphis has struggled ATS on the season with an 8-12-1 record, even more so on the road with a 1-6 ATS record. The Tigers are 1-4 SU in their last five against Houston, but are 5-0 ATS in that same span. The total has gone over 12 times this season for Memphis and has gone over in four of their last six games played on a Saturday.

Memphis has played well on the offensive side of the ball, but just need to be more consistent from game to game. On the season they are averaging 77 PPG (57th), 16 APG (35th), 47 FG% (43rd), 35 3PT% (84th), and 39.6 RPG (43rd). Freshman center Jalen Duren is a huge factor for the Tigers. Duren is coming off a 15 point/10 rebound performance against Tulane. Memphis will need to be at their best offensively going against Houston’s top 10 ranked defense.

The Tiger’s defense has played well throughout the season, but could also use a bit more consistency. Entering this matchup, they are allowing 69.8 PPG (203rd), 39 FG% (19th), 33 3PT% (168th), while averaging 8.5 SPG (38th), and 6.2 BPG (11th). Memphis has allowed just 61 PPG over their last three games and will need to continue that trend to see success against Houston.

HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

SU: 20-3
ATS: 14-9
O/U: 11-11-1

Houston has rewarded bettors with a 14-9 ATS record on the season. In their last six games played they are 4-2 ATS and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games played on a Saturday. The total has gone over 11 times on the season for the Cougars and nine of the last 12 games against played against AAC opponents has also hit the over. As mentioned before, Houston has won 37 in a row at home.

While Houston is known for their defense, the offense has been clicking as well this year. On the season they are averaging 77.2 PPG (50th), 16.1 APG (29th), 47.1 FG% (43rd), 35.2 3PT% (111th), and 39.5 RPG (44th). The Cougars offense is led by junior guard Marcus Sasser. Sasser is averaging 17.7 PPG, 2.6 APG, and shooting 43% from the field. Another key player for the Cougars will be senior center Josh Carlton. Carlton is averaging 12 PPG, 6.4 RPG, shooting 62% from the field, and will be tasked with slowing down Duren.

**Houston is 0-5 ATS in their last five matchups against Memphis. (AP)**

INSIDE THE STATS - MEMPHIS TIGERS

Record: 13-8
VI Ranking: N/A
PS/G: 77 (57th)
PA/G: 69.8 (209th)
ORtg: 105.3 (128th)
DRtg: 95.4 (84th)

INSIDE THE STATS - HOUSTON COUGARS

Record: 20-3
VI Ranking: 4
PS/G: 77.2 (50th)
PA/G: 57.8 (5th)
ORtg: 115.9 (6th)
DRtg: 86.8 (5th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

MEM: Jalen Duren - C (11.1 PPG, 7.8 REB, 2.4 BLK)
MEM: Deandre Williams - F (11.1 PPG, 5.6 REB, 1.6 AST)
UH: Marcus Sasser - G (17.7 PPG, 2.8 REB, 2.6 AST)
UH: Kyler Edwards - G (14 PPG, 5.8 REB, 2.7 AST)

MEMPHIS TIGERS VS. HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING CONCLUSION

From a statistics standpoint these two teams are very evenly matched. I give the advantage to Houston because of their outstanding defense, home record, and ability to bounce back having won 23 straight games following a loss. Memphis should however be able to keep this one close throughout, so I’m going to take the 10 points with the Tigers here.

MEMPHIS TIGERS VS. HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING TRENDS

Memphis is 4-1 SU in their last five games.
Houston is 0-5 ATS in their last five matchups against Memphis.
Memphis is 1-5 SU in their last six matchups against Houston.
Houston is 4-2 ATS in their last six games.
The total has gone UNDER in four of the last five matchups between Houston and Memphis.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson