The Florida Atlantic Owls and the Memphis Tigers meet Thursday in college basketball action from FedExForum. Here’s a Memphis vs FAU Prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Memphis vs FAU pick.
Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Preview
The Owls started out their year on an 8-3 run, taking losses to only Liberty, George Mason and St. Bonaventure in that time. Florida Atlantic hit a 1-3 stretch after that with losses to Saint Mary’s, UCF and Tulane, but they’ve since gone 5-1. The victories in that time have come versus UAB, Memphis, Wichita State, Temple and Tulane (with a lone loss to South Florida). That gives the Owls a 14-7 run through 21 games this year.
In the South Florida matchup on Sunday, the Owls went into the break sporting a 36-33 advantage. Florida Atlantic was outscored 56-39 in the second half however, leading to an 89-75 loss on the road in the end. Devin Vanterpool led the team on 22 points with five rebounds and two assists while Kanaan Carlyle added 16 points with four assists and three rebounds in the losing effort.
Memphis Tigers Betting Preview
Over on the Memphis side, they posted a rocky 4-4 record over their first eight games this year. The Tigers would then lose to Louisville, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State before getting wins over Alabama State, North Texas and Rice in the next trio. Memphis has since gone 2-3 with losses to Florida Atlantic, Tulsa and Wichita State alongside wins over Temple and UTSA. Over 19 games so far this year Memphis owns a 9-10 record overall.
Matched up against Wichita State last weekend, the Tigers were drilled 40-22 by the end of the first half. Memphis got very slightly better from there on a 37-34 run but it wasn’t nearly enough for the comeback bid in a 74-59 loss on the road. Curtis Givens led the way on 11 points while both Aaron Bradshaw (nine rebounds) and Simon Majok (three rebounds) had 10 points apiece in the loss.
Why the Memphis Tigers will win
- Memphis has won each of its last 17 games against Conference opponents at FedExForum.
- The home team has won the first half in each of Memphis’ last nine games.
Why the Florida Atlantic Owls will win
- Florida Atlantic has won five of its last six games.
- Florida Atlantic has won the first half in eight of its last nine games.
Memphis vs Florida Atlantic Prediction
I’ll lean toward FAU. The Owls couldn’t keep pace with South Florida in their latest outing on the road, posting a tepid 40.9 percent shooting from the field and a 41-28 rebounding deficit alongside a 46-32 disadvantage on points in the paint. Florida Atlantic didn’t play too badly otherwise though, hitting 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) from the line with just eight turnovers. It was the Owls’ first loss since January 4 at Tulane; they’re still 5-2 in the new calendar year with 75 or more points scored in six straight outings.
These teams already met up once already in an 89-78 home victory for FAU on January 11. The Owls shot a very nice 50.7 percent from the field with a 44-27 rebounding edge in that one. That said, Florida Atlantic missed a few free throws (11-of-16 for 68.8 percent) and had 15 turnovers along the way. If the Owls can keep that shooting percentage up—and cut down the mistakes—in this road rematch they’ll be okay.