Check out our free SMU vs Memphis pick and preview for this NCAA Basketball game in Memphis. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this College Basketball matchup.

SMU vs Memphis Pick & Preview: Thursday, January 26th Betting Odds

Mustangs vs Tigers Matchup at a Glance

  • Sport: NCAAB
  • Teams: SMU Mustangs at Memphis Tigers
  • Where: Memphis at FedExForum
  • Date: Thursday, January 26th
  • Betting Odds: SMU +12.5, SMU +575 | MPHS -908 O/U 149.0

Mustangs Preview:

Through 20 games, the SMU Mustangs have an overall record of 7-13. So far, the Mustangs have played 8 games on the road, with a record of 2-6. For the season, SMU has been the underdog in 11 games, sitting with a mark of 2-9. Currently, the oddsmakers have the lines set with the Mustangs being +12.5 point underdogs.

SMU’s leading scorer this season is Zhuric Phelps, who is averaging 16.94 points per contest. So far, Phelps has accounted for 22.21% of the team’s scoring. In addition, he is contributing 3.72 rebounds per game and 2.61 assists. Zach Nutall is the second leading scorer for the Mustangs, averaging 13.9 points per game. Between him and Nutall, they are accounting for 42.5% of the team’s scoring.

On offense, SMU comes into the game looking to control the pace of play, as they are just 446th in possessions per game. Even with their preference to slow the game down, the Mustangs’ are scoring at a rate similar to the NCAA average at 74.4 points per game. So far, 42.57% of their shots have come from beyond the arc, where they have connected at a rate of 36.3%.

Tigers Preview:

Memphis will take the floor against the Mustangs with an overall record of 15-5. So far this season, Memphis has played 13 games at home, sitting with a record of 12-1. At the time of this article, the oddsmakers have the Tigers as the -12.5 point favorites. The Tigers have been favored 15 times, going 13-2 straight up.

Memphis will be counting on another strong performance from the team’s leading scorer Kendric Davis who is averaging 21.15 points per game for the Tigers. Davis is also important to the team’s ability to score on the perimeter. So far, he leads the team in 3-point shots made. Also key to the Tigers’ offensive game plan is the play of DeAndre Williams who has hit 53.5% of his field goal attempts on his way to averaging 16.85 points per game.

So far this season, Memphis has put together a strong scoring offense at 75.4 points per game (74th). This strong figure has come despite the Tigers playing at a slow tempo compared to other schools. For the season, they have hit 35.9% of their shots from outside, which is closer to the NCAA average. Memphis’ overall field goal percentage currently sits at 47.1%

Free Spread Prediction: SMU Mustangs +12.5

The Memphis Tigers will start their matchup against SMU Mustangs as the strong favorites to pick up the win with a point spread of -12.5. We like Memphis’ chances to pull home with an easy win and cover the spread. When considering how each team likes to play, both Memphis and SMU are near the NCAA average in possessions per game. We like how this scenario works in Memphis’ favor, as their superior talent should come through throughout the game in an easy win. Although the Tigers don’t have a great track record vs the spread as the betting favorite, going 0-4-1 (last 5), we like their chances to come home with the ATS win.