The No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1) visit the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., to square off against the Memphis Tigers (5-4) on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Alabama vs. Memphis odds and lines and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Alabama defeated Houston, 83-82, Saturday and has won four consecutive games. The Crimson Tide play a fast-paced, high-scoring brand of basketball. Their 86.0 points per game rank seventh in the nation. ‘Bama has played several neutral-site games, but Tuesday’s tilt in Memphis marks the team’s first true road game this season.
The Tigers head into this game on a four-game losing streak. Shooting woes and turnovers have blown up what was a 5-0 season heading into Thanksgiving weekend. But three of the four Memphis losses were by 4 points or less, and the Tiger program has hope that it can right the ship before it heads into American Athletic Conference play Dec. 29.
Alabama at Memphis odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:25 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Alabama -165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Memphis +133 (bet $133 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Alabama -3.5 (-107) | Memphis +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Alabama at Memphis odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Alabama 79, Memphis 76
Money line
Memphis is certainly loose with the basketball, but its turnover problems are more glaring in the bright light of its quick-tempo style. The Tigers at least get to the line with great frequency, and they could well be on a similar track to last year, which included an early season dip and then a drive to a 20-win season on the strength of stingy defense.
A youthful Alabama team playing in a hostile environment for the first time makes for a gettable one, at least more than the 34.5% of the time implied by the Memphis price here.
BACK THE TIGERS (+133).
Against the spread
The Crimson Tide is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games as a road favorite. The Tigers are 9-2 in their last 11 games as an underdog.
TAKE MEMPHIS +3.5 (-115).
Over/Under
Figure Memphis as a value defense moving forward, but this total and this price don’t offer enough leverage for a play.
PASS.
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