The Memphis Tigers and the Wichita State Shockers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Charles Koch Arena. Memphis enters this one at 6-5 so far. The Tigers lost to Tulane in their last game. As for Wichita State, they’re sitting at 9-3 and fresh off a win over Prairie View A&M. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Memphis started off the year at 5-0 before a November 26 loss to Iowa State. Losses to Georgia, Ole Miss and Murray State came next, then a big win over Alabama and a tough loss to Tulane on Wednesday in their last appearance.
In the matchup versus Tulane, the Tigers were outscored 39-32 in the first half. Memphis came back with a 52-46 run from there but still lost 85-84. Leading scorer Landers Nolley put up 19 points with four rebounds and four assists.
Over on the Wichita State side, they went 6-1 over their first seven games this year with a lone loss to Arizona. The Shockers are 3-2 since then with losses to Kansas State and North Texas alongside wins over Norfolk State, Alcorn State and Prairie View.
Matched up against Prairie View, the Shockers didn’t have much trouble. Wichita State scored 57 points in the first half and 45 more from there in a 102-66 rout. Tyson Etienne led the team on 20 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Shockers are 1-4 ATS in their last five at home and 1-4 ATS in their last five overall. The under is 11-4 in Wichita State’s last 15 overall.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games and 4-1 ATS in their last five Saturday games. Wichita State is 1-5 ATS in their last six overall.
PICK: I’m going to stick with Wichita State. The Shockers played a nice game versus an overwhelmed Prairie View A&M in their last outing, shooting 47.7 percent from the field with 47 rebounds and 20 team assists. The Shockers have had a few dud scoring outings lately but they’ve hit 71 or more in three of their last four games.
As for Memphis, they’re coming off a spotty defensive game and I expect the Tigers to bounce back with a better effort here. Ultimately I like the Shockers a little better cover/win-wise, though. This looks like a pretty interesting matchup—and a fun one to watch.