The American Athletic Conference has an important game on the schedule for Monday, February 1, 2021, when the UCF Knights (4-7, 2-6) visit the Memphis Tigers (9-6, 5-3). Memphis are in third place in the AAC and are 3.5 games back of the first-place Houston Cougars. UCF sits third from the bottom and are six and half games back from the Cougars. This game will air live on ESPN+ at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Through 11 games, the UCF offense is averaging 66.7 points per game and are shooting 42.5% from the field. Brandon Mahan leads the team with 14.6 points per game and Dre Fuller Jr. is grabbing out 5.1 rebounds and dishing out a team high 2.3 assists. Defensively, the Knights are allowing 71.1 points per game, are blocking 2.6 shots, and stealing the ball 6.1 times. UCF is on a one game winning streak.
After 15 games, the Memphis offense is averaging 71.4 points per game and are shooting 43.4% from the field. Landers Nolley II leads the team with 13.2 points per game, Moussa Cisse is leading Memphis with 7.7 rebounds, and Alex Lomax is dishing out a team high 4.4. assists. Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 62.9 points per game, are blocking 5.5 shots, and stealing the ball 8.3 times. Memphis is also on a one-game losing streak.
College Basketball Best Bets:
UCF Knights at Memphis Tigers (-9.5): O/U 132.5 (-114/-106)
Last time out, UCF lost a tight 93-88 overtime affair at the Wichita State Shockers. UCF was able to get this game into overtime with two Dre Fuller Jr. free throws with six seconds remaining, but the Knights could not get by the Shockers in the final five minutes of the game. Brandon Mahan and Jamille Reynolds led the team with 17 points, Mahan, Fuller Jr., and C.J. Walker grabbed a team high four rounds, and Isaiah Adams dished out a team high four assists. UCF shot 57.4% (35-61) from the field, 33.3% (6-18) from the three-point line, and 70.6% (12-17) from the free throw line.
Memphis visited SMU, last Thursday, and suffered a tight 67-65 defeat. SMU led most of this game, but the final three minutes of this game saw each team going back and forth and exchanging go-ahead buckets. Landers Nolley II led the team with 19 points, DeAndre Williams grabbed a team high 11 rebounds, and Alex Lomax dished out a team high eight assists. Memphis shot 47.9% (23-48) from the field, 45.0% (9-20) from beyond the arc, and 66.7% (10-15) from the free throw line.
Series History: These teams have met 27 times in the past and Memphis holds a commanding 21-6 advantage. Memphis has won three of the last four meetings.
Game Prediction: I like Memphis -9.5 to get the win and cover Monday night.
2020-2021 CBB Pick Record: 8-4
