UCF Knights vs Memphis Tigers Prediction, 2/1/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: UCF Knights vs Memphis Tigers

Date: Monday, February 1, 2021

Location: FedExForum in Memphis, TN

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: UCF (+9.5)

FedExForum is the site where and the Memphis Tigers (9-6) will play the UCF Knights (4-7) on Monday. UCF opens this game as 9.5-point dogs. The O/U opens at 131.

UCF comes into this game with a win-loss record of 4-7 this year. The Knights are connecting on 34.7% on 3-point shots (74 of 213) and 72.6% from the charity stripe. They are averaging 66.7 points per outing (287th in D-1) while going 42.5% from the field. They are turning it over 14.7 times per game and as a squad they commit 18.1 personal fouls on a nightly basis. As a team, UCF is pulling down 34.1 boards per game and has 118 assists so far this season, which is 314th in the nation in terms of passing. On defense, the Knights are forcing their opponents into 13.3 turnovers per contest and they draw 17.5 personal fouls. They are giving up 31.9% from 3-point land and they are ranked 206th in Division 1 in PPG allowed (71.1). The Knights defensively are giving up a shooting percentage of 43.5% (275 of 632) and they concede 35.7 rebounds per contest as a unit. They currently rank 89th in college hoops in giving up assists with 153 conceded this year.

The UCF Knights stepped onto the hardwood against the Wichita State Shockers and went home with a loss by a final score of 93-88 in their last game. UCF finished with a 57.4% field goal percentage (35 of 61) and knocked down 6 out of their 18 shots from 3-point land. At the free throw line, the Knights buried 12 of their 17 tries for a rate of 70.6%. With respect to hauling in rebounds, they earned a total of 31 with 6 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 14 assists in this game as well as getting 7 steals and 2 rejections. Concerning defense, UCF allowed 57.4% from the field on 35 of 61 shooting. Wichita State recorded 20 dimes and had 12 steals for the game. Additionally, the Shockers collected 26 boards (7 offensive, 19 defensive) and added 2 blocks. Wichita State ended up going 69.7% at the charity stripe by knocking down 23 of their 33 tries. They made 10 out of their 30 tries from beyond the perimeter.

Brandon Mahan is one player who had an impact for this contest. He had 17 points on 6 of 7 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 40 mins played and collected 4 boards. Mahan ended up going 85.7% from the field and also recorded 2 dimes. An additional guy that was a major factor in the matchup for the Knights was Isaiah Adams. He pulled down 7 rebounds and accounted for 4 dimes. He finished the contest at 50.0% from the field for the game by hitting 6-of-12 (12 points). When all was said and done, Adams played 39 min.

Memphis has a win-loss mark of 9-6 so far this year. The Tigers commit 19.2 personal fouls per game and they hit 61.2% from the free throw line. They are assisting teammates 16.1 times per game (48th in college basketball) and they are losing possession via turnover 15.5 times per contest. Memphis has tallied 1,071 pts for the year (71.4 per game) and they pull in 40.3 boards per game. As an offensive team, the Tigers are hitting on 43.4% from the floor, which is 235th in Division 1. The Tigers on the defensive side of the court are 26th in the country in points per game surrendered with 62.9. They have forced 15.7 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 38.7% from the floor (14th in D-1). The Memphis defense concedes 28.3% on shots from distance (92 of 325) and opponents are converting on 67.5% of their free throw shots. They relinquish 11.1 dimes and 33.9 rebounds per contest, which ranks them 60th and 121st in those defensive categories.

When they last stepped on the court, the Memphis Tigers took a loss by a score of 67-65 when they faced the SMU Mustangs. The Tigers corralled 22 defensive rebounds and 5 offensive boards for a total of 27 for this contest. They also turned away 4 shots while recording 8 steals for this contest. The Mustangs earned 12 fouls in this matchup which took the Tigers to the charity stripe for 15 attempts. They were able to knock down 10 of the free throw attempts for a rate of 66.7%. In regard to shots from distance, Memphis knocked down 9 out of 20 tries (45.0%). Overall, the Tigers went 23 out of 48 from the field which gave them a rate of 47.9%. The Tigers allowed the Mustangs to bury 25 out of their 60 attempts from the field which left them with a shooting percentage of 41.7% for this contest. They finished shooting 23.8% from distance by shooting 5 out of 21 and ended up shooting 12 of 13 from the free throw line (92.3%). Regarding rebounding, Memphis permitted SMU to pull down 27 in all (10 offensive).

Landers Nolley ended up being a major contributor for the Tigers in this contest. He knocked down 7 of 13 for the game giving him a rate of 53.8%, which had him finishing with 19 points. Nolley pulled down 2 rebounds in his 29 mins and had 2 assists in this matchup. One more player who was a determining factor for Memphis was Deandre Williams. He totaled 17 points in his 33 minutes on the hardwood via 7 of 10 from the floor in this matchup. Williams wrapped this one up going 70.0% from the floor while also contributing 4 dimes and 11 rebounds.

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Memphis (-9.5) and under 131 points

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here