Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Houston Cougars (26-4, 15-2 American) will travel to take on the Memphis Tigers (18-9, 12-5 American) Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee and can be viewed on CBS.  

Score Prediction

Houston 67, Memphis 63

Best Bets

Houston –2.5 (-110)

HOUSTON COUGARS vs. MEMPHIS TIGERS PREDICTIONS

The 14th ranked Houston Cougars defeated Temple 84-46 this past Thursday. The Cougars were efficient on offense, shooting 53.1% from the field and 40% from three. On the defensive side of the ball Houston was able to create 20 total turnovers. Houston has now won six straight games and eight of their last 10.  

The Memphis Tigers USF 73-64 this past Thursday. Memphis shot 44.4% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. Turnovers were the big difference maker in this one with Memphis turning it over six times and USF 16 times. The Tigers are on a current three game winning streak and have won nine of their las 10 games. 

 These teams have met once on the season with Memphis winning on the road 69-59 and covering as 9.5-point underdogs. The stats from the game are near identical except for three-point shooting. Memphis shot 40.9% (9-22) from beyond the arc while Houston shot just 30.4% (7-23). This has potential to be a great game. Houston has not lost since their last game against Memphis and the Tigers have really come alive the second half of the season.  

HOUSTON COUGARS vs. MEMPHIS TIGERS BETTING ODDS

• Houston -145
• Memphis +120
• Houston -2.5 (-110)
• Memphis +2.5 (-110)
• Over 140.5 (-110)
• Under 140.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

HOUSTON COUGARS vs. MEMPHIS TIGERS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: AAC
• Date: Sunday, March 6, 2022
• Venue: FedExForum
• Location: Memphis, Tennessee
• TV-Time: CBS - 12:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 26-4
• ATS: 19-11
• O/U: 14-16

Houston has been profitable on the season with a 19-11 ATS record. In their last 10 games, the Cougars are 6-4 ATS. Going against this trend, Houston is 0-6 ATS in their last six games against Memphis. The total has gone under in 16 of the Cougar’s 30 games including five of their last seven games played.  

Houston likes to spread the ball around offense with seven players averaging nine or more points per game. As a team, the Cougars average 76.1 PPG (51st), 46.6 FG% (46th), 34.1 3PT% (161st), 16.2 APG (14th), and 39.9 RPG (17th). Junior guard Marcus Sasser has led the way for the cougars, averaging 17.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 2.6 APG. In their first matchup with Memphis, Houston turned the ball over 19 times compared to their season average of 11. Expect them to get that under control this time around.  

The defense has been excellent for Houston this season. Entering this matchup, they are allowing teams 58.8 PPG (4th), 36.9 FG% (1st), 29.3 3PT% (14th), while averaging 8.1 SPG (36th) and 5.3 BPG (12th). The Cougars will focus on slowing down Memphis center Jalen Duran who had 14 points and 11 rebound in the first matchup.  

MEMPHIS TIGERS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 18-9
• ATS: 12-14-1
• O/U: 15-12

The Tigers have disappointed bettors with an ATS record of 12-14-1. They have been better as of late, going 5-1 ATS in their last six games. Memphis has also had recent success against Houston, going 5-0 ATS in their last five games when playing at home against the Cougars. The total has gone over in 15 of Memphis’s 27 games and five of their last 10.  

After losing four games straight at the beginning of the season, the Memphis offense really started to come alive. On the season the Tigers have averaged 76.1 PPG (56th), 47.3 FG% (39th), 36 3PT% (69th), 16.1 APG (21st), and 38.5 RPG (38th). The Memphis offense is led by freshman center Jalen Duren who averages 12. PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 1 APG. The Tigers did a nice job spreading the ball around with 16 assists in the first matchup, expect them to do the same in this one. 

The 59 points scored by Houston in the first meeting was the second lowest points allowed by Memphis all year. Entering this matchup, the Tigers are allowing opponents 68.7 PPG (164th), 39.4 FG% (21st), 32.2 3PT% (109th), while averaging 8.6 SPG (25th), and 5.9 BPG (6th). Expect Memphis to pressure Houston and create turnovers like they did in the first meeting.  

INSIDE THE STATS - HOUSTON COUGARS

• Record: 26-4
• PS/G: 76.4 (51st)
• PA/G: 58.4 (4th)
• ORtg: 114.5 (10th)
• DRtg: 87.6 (5th)

INSIDE THE STATS - MEMPHIS TIGERS

• Record: 18-9
• PS/G: 76.1 (56th)
• PA/G: 68.7 (169th)
• ORtg: 105.5 (123rd)
• DRtg: 95.3 (65th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• UH: Fabian White - F (13.3 ppg, 6 rpg)
• UH: Kyler Edwards - G (13.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
• MEM: Jalen Duren - C (12.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg)
• MEM: Lester Quinones - G (9.7 ppg)

HOUSTON COUGARS vs. MEMPHIS TIGERS BETTING CONCLUSION

While I think Memphis has the slight advantage because of home court advantage, I like laying the points with Houston in this one. I expect Houston to handle the ball much better than in the first matchup as well as shoot the ball better from beyond the arc. This really should be a high intensity game with tournament vibes. Back the Cougars in a revenge game on the road.  

HOUSTON COUGARS vs. MEMPHIS TIGERS BETTING TRENDS

• Houston has covered the spread in four straight games.
• Houston has covered the spread in 18 of its last 29 games when playing as the favorite.
• Memphis has covered the spread in five straight home games when facing Houston.
• The point total has gone UNDER in five of the last six meetings.