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Memphis vs. UCF Prediction and Odds: Tigers Frontcourt in Good Spot for Big Night

By Matt De Saro

Tigers' forwards Josh Minott and Jalen Duren are Memphis' key to victory over the UCF Knights tonight.
Tigers' forwards Josh Minott and Jalen Duren are Memphis' key to victory over the UCF Knights tonight. / Joe Rondone/The Commercial Appeal / USA
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The Memphis Tigers hit the road tonight for a date with ACC rival the UCF Knights. Memphis opened the season on a hot streak but has since cooled off and now sits at 9-5.

Lately, things are looking up and the Tigers have reeled off three straight wins, however, over Cincinnati, Tulsa, and Wichita State. They are still struggling to cover spreads with a 5-8-1 ATS record on the year. Trouble is, four of those ATS wins came in their first five games of the season. The Tigers have covered just twice in their last nine games and only once as a favorite. 

UCF, in a similar fashion to Memphis, came out to a hot start to the year and has been hot and cold since. After four straight wins to open the season, they lost two in a row. They then reeled off five more wins in a row before losing their last two. They failed to cover those last two losses and are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games. 

Here are the odds for this ACC showdown, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Memphis vs. UCF Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Memphis -1.5 (-110)
  • UCF +1.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Memphis -120
  • UCF +100

Total: 151.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Memphis vs. UCF Prediction and Pick

While both teams have seen their share of ups and downs, there is one key difference. The Memphis Tigers have dealt with numerous injuries and COVID-19 related issues over the last few weeks. This has left head coach Penny Hardaway without a full lineup for most of the season.

This could again be an issue for Memphis after their leading scorer, DeAndre Williams, missed the last game with a back injury. His status for tonight remains uncertain. Either way, he won’t be at 100 percent and back injuries tend to be nagging. 

This doesn’t mean that I am on UCF mind you. Hardaway has a slew of other weapons at his disposal tonight to snag an important conference victory.

Their frontcourt is particularly dangerous thanks to freshman Jalen Duren and Emoni Bates. The former leads the AAC in blocks and the latter is averaging double digits while snagging 7.3 boards per game. The pair are a big reason why Memphis is the seventh-best offensive rebounding team in the country.

Now, UCF is no pushover, but I also don’t think they are the same caliber of a team as Memphis is right now, especially if Williams is good to go. While they do have Cheikh Mbacke Diong down low, who is averaging almost two blocks a game, his overall defense leaves much to be desired. Because of this, they get beat up in the paint and are 262nd in a two-point field goal percentage at 52. Memphis should be able to capitalize on this a come away with an ATS win here. 

Pick: Memphis -1.5

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