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Memphis vs Houston Odds, Lines and Spread – American Conference Title Game

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Basketball

Updated Mar 12, 2022 · 7:16 PM PST

J’wan Roberts throws down a dunk
Houston forward J'wan Roberts (13) dunks in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tulane in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, March 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
  • The Memphis vs Houston odds favor the Cougars by 5.5-points on Sunday (March 13) at 3:15pm ET
  • The Tigers were 2-0 versus the Cougars, handing them their two worst losses of the season
  • Read below for the Memphis vs Houston odds, analysis, and betting prediction

Revenge will be on the minds of the Houston Cougars on Sunday as they get set to face the Memphis Tigers in the American Conference Title Game.

Houston is just a win way from their second consecutive conference championship, but in order to accomplish the feat they’ll have to figure out a way to defeat the Tigers.

Memphis vs Houston Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Memphis Tigers +175 +5.5  (-110) O 134 (-110)
Houston Cougars -210 -5.5  (-110) U 134 (-110)

Odds as of March 12th at BetMGM

The Cougars were 0-2 versus Memphis this season, and neither of the games were particularly close. Houston fell by double digits to the Tigers in each contest, and the losses represented two of the only three blemishes on their conference schedule resume.

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Oddsmakers aren’t expecting another Memphis victory however, as the Cougars opened up as 5.5-point favorites. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:15pm ET at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

Houston Cougars Betting Analysis

Houston entered the week as a -167 favorite to cut down the nets at the American Conference Tournament. So far, they’ve looked every bit like a deserving champion. They opened up play with a 69-56 drubbing of Cincinnati, and followed that up by pounding Tulane 86-66 in the semis.

Kyler Edwards led the way with 20 points and 8 assists, while the team overcame the early loss of third leading scorer Fabian White Jr. The senior has been dealing with a back injury and lasted just three minutes before being pulled.

J’Wan Roberts filled in admirably for White, scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 boards. There’s no official word on White’s status for Sunday, but head coach Kelvin Sampson didn’t sound too optimistic following the semifinal win.

White’s potential absence would be huge as it would leave Houston without two of its top-three scorers. Leading scorer Marcus Sasser went down back in December with a toe injury and is out for the season.

The Cougars ranked first in the conference in offensive rating, total rebounding and assists, while checking in at number two in points per game and field goal percentage.

Defensively, they were hands down the top club, although performed poorly in both outings versus Memphis – more on that later.

Houston led the conference in scoring defense, and allows the fourth fewest points per game in all of college hoops. They lead the nation in opponent field goal percentage, while ranking 14th nationally in blocks, and 29th in steals.

Memphis Tigers Betting Analysis

The Tigers began the week with +260 odds to win the first conference tournament in program history. They were on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament on Friday, but back-to-back wins should be enough to get them dancing no matter what happens versus Houston.

Memphis closed out the regular season by winning 10 of its final 11 games, and picked up right where they left off when the American Conference Tournament began. They crushed UCF 85-69, and then disposed of second seed SMU 70-63 in the semis.

Alex Lomax and Landers Nolly II led the way offensively with 12 points a piece, while the team shot 44.4% from three.

The Tigers led the conference in points per game and field goal percentage this season, while ranking second in three-point efficiency and total rebounding.

Defensively, they held the Mustangs to 38.5% from the field and just 5 offensive boards, while forcing 12 turnovers.

Memphis limited opponents to 68 points per game and 40% from the field this season, and seemed to save their best defensive efforts for their games against the Cougars.

Memphis vs Houston Pick

The Tigers held the Cougars to an average of 60 points per game in their two meetings, which is 18 points less than Houston’s season average.

They handed the Cougars their two worst losses of the season, and are healthier and in better form than their conference rival heading into Sunday’s showdown.

Not only has Memphis been piling up victories, but they’ve also been covering at a high clip. They’re 10-2 against the spread in their last 12 contests, and 3-0 ATS this season as an underdog. In two games versus Houston, they’ve covered by an average of 18 points.

The Cougars meanwhile, would be wise to rest White to get him ready for March Madness. With that in mind, there’s no way we can lay 5.5-points with a Houston team down two of its top-three scorers.

Pick: Memphis Tigers +5.5 (-110)

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