Wichita State Shockers at Memphis Tigers Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions

“This is a confidence builder for us,” sophomore guard Tyson Etienne said after the bitter defeat. “They’re a great team, and we took them to the wire.”

If Wichita State is going to pull off the shocker, it will need Etienne playing at his best. The team’s leading scorer at 15.1 points per game, Etienne had 17 points in the first game against Memphis, though he shot just 4-of-11 from the field.

The hot shooter for the Shockers against Houston was Craig Porter Jr., who had eight points in the second overtime, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds remaining. Porter finished with 17 points and has scored in double-digits in three of his last four outings despite averaging just 7.0 points per game this season. Porter is also a problem for opponents on the defensive end, where he averages 1.1 blocks and 1.4 steals per game.

Tigers Like Their Chances Now

Coach Penny Hardaway had a talented recruiting class coming in for the 2021-22 season, so the Memphis Tigers were considered a shoo-in for March Madness. Unfortunately, things didn’t come together as quickly as the Tigers would have liked, as they were 9-8 after a loss to SMU on Jan. 20.

But since that loss, Hardaway’s squad has gone on a run, winning seven of eight to put itself back in the talk for the Field of 68. Much of that has been on the shoulders of freshman center Jalen Duren, who is averaging 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds over the last six games. Duren had 22 points, six rebounds, three blocks and three steals in Thursday’s win over Temple.

Forward Deandre Williams is also coming off a big showing against the Owls, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. That came after he scored a total of 12 points in the previous two contests. On the season, the senior is averaging 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds.

Junior guard Landers Nolley II has also seen his production rise recently, as he comes into Sunday’s game on a four-game streak of scoring in double figures. Nolley averages 9.9 points per game, but he’s scored 14.2 points per game over the last four contests.

Wichita State Shockers at Memphis Tigers Head-to-Head

The Memphis Tigers started the 2022 calendar year off with an easy victory over the Wichita State Shockers, winning by 18 points. The Tigers have won three straight and five of the last six times they’ve faced the Shockers, including three straight at home.

Memphis is starting to look like the team people expected in the preseason, and it still has to fight to make sure it gets into the NCAA field. Wichita State might put up a fight, though, so check the college basketball odds on this one before you make your bet.

Wichita State Shockers at Memphis Tigers Game Information

Game: Wichita State Shockers (13-11, 4-8) at Memphis Tigers (16-9, 10-5)

Location: FedExForum, Memphis, Tenn.

Day/Time: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. ET

Television: ESPN

Wichita State Shockers at Memphis Tigers Betting Lines

Wichita State Shockers at Memphis Tigers Prediction

The bad thing for the Wichita State Shockers is that the Memphis Tigers will not be taking them lightly after their near-upset of the Houston Cougars last weekend. Memphis is gaining confidence by the game and should be able to take care of business in this one, with the conference tournament just around the corner.

When doing your college basketball betting, take Memphis to win and cover at home.

Pick: Memphis Tigers -8½ (-110)