Men’s College Basketball Today: Memphis Rises, FAU Drops

Memphis did not exactly start AAC play in style winning their last two games against Tulsa and SMU by a combined six points. Yet, the Tigers have a knack for winning close games, which will come in handy once March Madness tips off.

Penny’s squad already has statement wins against Clemson, Virginia, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Michigan among others. Memphis will be sizable favorites against UTSA on Wed., Jan. 10 and Wichita State on Sun., Jan. 14.

The biggest thing the Tigers will be guarding against is the letdown factor as Memphis gets into the heart of their schedule. Memphis will likely be the favorite in all the team’s remaining games unless the Tigers have a complete collapse down the stretch.

The Tigers are 13-2 but not as impressive in the NCAAB lines going 6-9 against the spread this season. The over has been friendly to Memphis bettors hitting in nine of the team’s first 15 games.

Memphis has two upcoming matchups against FAU (Florida Atlantic). The Owls are finding it is much harder to play Cinderella after a Final Four run as opposed to being a relative unknown heading into March Madness.

FAU Has a Rude Awakening

What a difference a couple of weeks make as FAU has lost two of their last three games since upsetting Arizona on Dec. 23. Most recently, the Owls lost 70-68 to Charlotte less than a week after sustaining a four-point defeat to Florida Gulf Coast.

FAU’s recent skid dropped the Owls down seven spots in the AP Poll to No. 24. The Owls are now in danger of dropping out of the rankings completely.

FAU has upcoming matchups against Tulane and UAB. Both games are very winnable contests for the Owls.

The Owls may have taken a few body blows with the two recent upsets, but overall FAU continues to be profitable when betting online. FAU totals have gone under in five of the Owls’ last six games.

Utah State One of Three Mountain West Teams in Top 25

The Mountain West is looking like a strong conference with Utah State moving into the top 25 at No. 20. The Aggies join fellow conference mates No. 19 San Diego State and No. 17 Colorado State in the rankings.

Utah State enters the AP Poll after a five-point victory over Colorado State. The Aggies are 14-1 in the team’s first 15 games with the team’s lone loss coming against Bradley. Utah State is 7-5-1 against the spread during this stretch.

The Aggies are scoring points this season with the team hitting the over in eight of 13 games. Utah State hits the road taking on UNLV and New Mexico in the next week.

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic Content ⚠️

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— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 10, 2024

San Diego State Stays Hot

We were wondering if San Diego State would have a letdown after snagging an impressive 10-point win against Gonzaga. The Aztecs won their next two matchups by double digits to extend their winning streak to six games.

San Diego State has not been as hot in Vegas, going just 6-7 against the spread in the NCAAB odds to start the season. At the time of writing this, the Aztecs had covered their last four games so the team is trending in the right direction for bettors.

Where Are We on Gonzaga?

This feels like it is going to be a weekly question given Gonzaga’s start to the season. The challenge is the Zags schedule means we may not have any more answers for a while.

As expected, the Bulldogs bounced back from the team’s loss to San Diego State to snag wins over San Diego and Pepperdine. Gonzaga won these two matchups by a combined 53 points.

The Zags hit the road to face a solid Santa Clara team on Thu. Jan. 11 before getting a rematch against Pepperdine one week later. Mark Few’s squad just beat Pepperdine by 26 points.

Gonzaga has a lot to prove before March Madness betting begins.