Western Kentucky at Memphis odds, picks and prediction
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-2) visit the No. 16 Memphis Tigers (3-0) Friday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off at FedExForum. Below, we look at the Western Kentucky vs. Memphis odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Western Kentucky is coming off losses to Minnesota and South Carolina. The Hilltoppers' season-opening win was over Alabama State by a disappointing five-point margin (79-74). WKU heads to Memphis with an 0-3 mark against the spread. On defense, WKU has yielded 10.0 3-pointers per game, and foes have shot 37.5% from beyond the arc.
The Tigers close out a stretch of four straight home games to open the 2021-22 season. Memphis enters this game off a Tuesday triumph over St. Louis. The Tigers covered a 10.5-point spread in a 90-74 win and are thus far 2-1 against the spread. Memphis has scored 89, 90 and 90 points over its first three games.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Western Kentucky at Memphis odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:24 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Western Kentucky +750 (bet $100 to win $750) | Memphis -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Kentucky +13.5 (-103) | Memphis -13.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Western Kentucky at Memphis odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Memphis 83, Western Kentucky 67
Money line
Memphis has three freshmen doing great things early. As a three-headed monster, the trio of F Emoni Bates, C Jalen Duren, G Josh Minott is averaging 38.0 points and 15.3 rebounds per game. Western Kentucky was a solid road team last year, but the Tigers are the right side in this one. You won't find enough value here on a juice-filled money line, though. PASS.
Against the spread
The Tigers have the decisive advantage inside and outside the arc and in the paint. WKU is 0-3 ATS, and two of the Hilltoppers' setbacks (vs. Alabama State, Minnesota) involved late-game surges - the case can be made Western wasn't as close in either loss as the final score would indicate.
The Tigers can be a little loose with the basketball but look for any losses in the turnover battle to be made up for on the offensive glass. UM's ability to haul down offensive rebounds and create second-chance points and trips to the free-throw line makes for a significant advantage.
The lean here doesn't make for a lot of cushion. A Memphis win in the 13-to-21-point range covers a lot of territory in an expected bell curve of possible outcomes. A lean toward the upper end is significant enough to warrant the TIGERS -13.5 (-120) as a play in some partial-unit action.
Over/Under
The Over is a combined 5-1 across the six games these squads have played so far this season. Look for a fast-paced Tigers side to drag the number up here and a Hilltoppers team that's up for the game to not be left 30 points behind. TAKE THE OVER 145.5 (-115).
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