The No. 1 Houston Cougars (28-2, 16-1 AAC) battle the Memphis Tigers (23-7, 13-4) Sunday. Tip from FedEx Forum is set for noon ET (CBS). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Houston vs. Memphis odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Houston beat Memphis 72-64 at home on Feb. 19, failing to cover as a 14.5-point favorite. The Under 141 hit.
The Cougars have won 10 in a row but have covered just 4 of them. They are coming off an 83-66 win over Witchita State, failing to cover as a 17.5-point home favorite. Houston is 1-4 against the spread (ATS) over its last 5 games and is 17-13 ATS on the season.
The Tigers are 3-2 ATS in their last 5 and coming off an 81-62 win at Southern Methodist, covering as a 6.5-point favorite. They have won 3 in a row and 6 of their last 7. Memphis is 13-15-2 ATS on the season and 17-13 O/U.
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Houston at Memphis odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:09 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Houston -240 (bet $240 to win $100) | Memphis +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -5.5 (-110) | Memphis +5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Houston at Memphis picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 73, Memphis 70
Moneyline
PASS.
The moneyline odds for Memphis might be enticing, but I would take the points and play it on the spread.
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Against the spread
LEAN MEMPHIS +5.5 (-110).
The Cougars are 1-3 ATS in their last 4 road games despite winning all 4 of them. They are one of the best teams in the nation, but it is tough to cover road games with wide spreads. Memphis is 3-1 ATS in its last 4 games as well. It also played Houston well on the road, losing by just 8.
The Tigers held the Cougars to just 3-for-17 shooting. In a more friendly environment, expect Memphis to come ready to play. Back MEMPHIS +5.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 145.5 (-115).
In the last game between these 2 teams, there were 28 combined turnovers. The Tigers also shot 40% from deep and still only scored 64 points. Both teams have defenses that rank in the top 50 in opponents’ field goal percentage and opponents’ 3-point field goal percentage.
The Tigers have gone Under in 4 of their last 5 games as well. With Houston having alternated between the Over and Under in their last 7 and the Under being primed to hit, back the UNDER 145.5 (-115).
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