12:03 pm
March 7

Memphis @ #9 Houston

Who will WIN this matchup?

Memphis Tigers (15-6)

@ #9 Houston Cougars (20-3)

 

Current odds:

Memphis Tigers: (+425)

Houston Cougars: (-550)

 

• The line for this game is Houston by 10 points.

• Ninth-ranked Houston will put the finishing touches on a stellar regular season Sunday, seeking a fourth consecutive victory and continued momentum heading into the American Athletic Conference tournament that kicks off Thursday in Fort Worth, Texas. The Cougars (20-3, 13-3 AAC) will host Memphis (15-6, 11-3) on Sunday.

• Houston has thrived with a high-scoring backcourt paced by Quentin Grimes and Marcus Sasser plus a deep frontcourt that defends and rebounds with equal vigor. And the Cougars have excelled because a pair of fifth-year seniors, Justin Gorham and DeJon Jarreau, have provided the leadership necessary to keep the program humming.

• Against Memphis, the Cougars will face a team with the same commitment to defensive might. COVID-19 postponements prevented the Cougars and the Tigers from squaring off earlier this season, pushing this eagerly anticipated showdown to the final day of the regular season.

• Memphis has won three consecutive games since returning from its second pause of activities this season. The Tigers are riding a six-game winning streak overall and are 9-2 since their first pause this season, with those two losses coming by a combined three points. Now they get a chance to prove themselves against one of the nation’s top-ranked teams.

• Memphis sits third in league standings seemingly is peaking at the right time. Sampson lauded the Tigers’ athleticism and length and noted specifically the contributions of junior forward DeAndre Williams, a Houston native who is one of only a handful of players nationally averaging at least 10 points, six rebounds, 3.5 assists and two steals per game.

• Williams and Landers Nolley II (team-high 13.1 points per game) will lead the fight against Houston.

7/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#9 Houston Cougars
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