Memphis vs Alabama Basketball Prediction & Picks: Will the Tide keep rolling after upsetting Houston?

Tuesday’s college basketball schedule is pretty light in terms of quality matchups, but the standout game of the night sees Memphis visit #4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

The action from Coleman Coliseum will start at 9:00 pm ET (8:00 pm local time) and will be televised on ESPN2.

Both teams are coming off of impressive wins on Saturday. Alabama was down by 15 almost four minutes into the second half at #1 Houston, but they dug deep and rallied for a stunning 71-65 win over the Cougars.

Memphis took on #11 Auburn at Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta, and big games by Kendric Davis (27 points, nine rebounds, six assists) and DeAndre Williams (16 points, 11 rebounds) led the way in an 82-73 win.

Can the Tigers follow up that win with an even more stunning upset over the other half of the Alabama-Auburn rivalry? Read on for our Memphis vs Alabama prediction, along with our picks for tonight’s matchup in Tuscaloosa.

Memphis Tigers vs Alabama Crimson Tide Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 4:45 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Memphis +7.5 (-110)
• Alabama -7.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 152.5 (-110)
• Under 152.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Memphis +270
• Alabama -345

Will Defense Come Up Big Again for the Tide?

With Houston up 15, it looked like the Cougars were going to extend their stay atop the national rankings.

But Alabama’s defense stiffened, and slowly but surely, things started going the right direction on the offensive end. From the point they were down 15, the Tide outscored the Cougars 42-21.

They were especially fantastic on the defensive end down the stretch.

With 5:37 left, Houston went up 61-58 on a dunk by Reggie Chaney. That would be their final field goal until Chaney’s putback with 15 seconds left to pull the Cougars within 69-65.

Alabama has now allowed under 70 points 39 times in 106 games in the Nate Oats era, and they are 33-6 in those games. In games in which they have allowed 70 or more points, they are 36-31.

This season, the Tide have allowed 70+ points three times, all coming in their 2-1 run at the Phil Knight Invitational: 81-70 win over Michigan State, an 82-67 loss to UConn, and a 103-101 four-overtime win over North Carolina, who scored 77 points in regulation.

Memphis, meanwhile, has now scored 70 or more points 90 times in 138 games in Penny Hardaway’s tenure, and they are 72-18 in those games. In games in which they have scored fewer than 70 points, they are 21-27.

This season, the Tigers are 5-1 when scoring 70+ points, with the lone blemish being a 90-84 loss to Saint Louis in their second game of the season.

Memphis vs Alabama Prediction and Picks

Tigers vs Crimson Tide Prediction: Alabama to win

Tigers vs Crimson Tide Picks: Memphis team total over (Best Value: over 72.5 @ -110 at Bovada Sportsbook) & Kendric Davis over 17.5 points (Best Value: -115 at BetOnline)

I think that Alabama will get the win, but I think that Memphis can keep it close enough to cover. I’m not quite confident in that to pick it, but I like them to be competitive enough for my picks to be focused on the Tigers.

Based on the percentages of how often Memphis has scored 70+ points under Hardaway (almost 65 percent of the time) and how often Alabama has allowed 70+ points under Oats (63% of the time), Memphis will likely score 70+ points. So, this number is very reachable win or lose.

Davis, who is averaging 18.4 PPG this season, will be a big part of Memphis’s efforts, and the SMU transfer has scored 18+ points six times. So, there is a lot of value in backing the over on his points total as well.

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