Memphis vs Houston Predictions, College Basketball Expert Picks 3/8/2020

Game: Memphis Tigers vs Houston Cougars

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2020

Location: Fertitta Center in Houston, TX

TV: CBS

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -9.5

Total/Over-Under: 132.5

The Memphis Tigers travel to Fertitta Center to play the Houston Cougars on Sunday, March 8, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 9.5 point favorites.

Memphis comes into this game with an overall record of 21-9. They currently have a point differential of 7.6 as they are averaging 72.5 points per game while giving up 64.9 per contest. Houston has an overall record of 22-8. They are averaging 72.6 points per game and surrendering 62.3, good for a point differential of 10.3.

Valuable Memphis Tigers Betting Trends

The Memphis Tigers are 18-11-1 against the spread

The Memphis Tigers are 13-17-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 16-14-0 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 13-17-0 against the over/under

Key Memphis Tigers Injuries

12/19/19 C James Wiseman Left Team is out for season
03/07/20 G Damion Baugh Hand left last game, is questionable Sunday vs Houston U
02/01/20 F D.J. Jeffries Knee is out for season
01/09/20 F Isaiah Stokes Undisclosed is out for season

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

11/16/19 F J'Wan Roberts Hand is out for season

Player Spotlight

Precious Achiuwa averages 15.5 points per game in 30.2 minutes per contest. He averages 0.9 assists per contest and 10.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 59%. Lester Quinones comes into this contest averaging 10.7 points per game while playing 29.2 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Player Spotlight

Quentin Grimes averages 12.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 27.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.7 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 67%. Caleb Mills averages 13.5 points per game while playing 22.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 2.5 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Tigers allow 64.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 54th in Division 1. They also allow a 36% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.4 rebounds a game which ranks 263rd, and they give up 11.6 assists per contest which puts them in 96th place in the NCAA. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 298th in the nation. Memphis averages 72.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 132nd in the country. Their average scoring margin is 7.6 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 150th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 186th in D-1. They average 40.0 rebounds per game and 14.2 assists per contest, which ranks them 17th and 89th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 10th with 16.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cougars surrender 62.3 points per contest, which ranks them 14th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 29% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 56th with 11.0 assists allowed per contest, and 39th with 31.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cougars are 85th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.1 per game. Houston is 128th in the country with 72.6 points per game this year. They are 244th in the D-1 in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is 10.3. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 154th in the nation. They are 4th in the country in rebounding with 41.4 boards per game and 190th in assists per contest with 13.0. The Cougars are 273rd in turnovers per game with 12.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Tigers have an offensive rating of 98.1, which is ranked 256th. They are 30th in college basketball in pace with 73.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 173rd. As a unit they are 167th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 243rd in D-1. Memphis is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 19.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 293rd in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 43rd in the country in offensive rating with 108.3. In terms of pace they are 295th in Division 1 with 66.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 254th. As a team they are 226th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 239th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Memphis/Houston college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -9.5

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