Wichita State Shockers vs Memphis Tigers Prediction – 3/14/2025

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament heats up this Friday as the top-seeded Memphis Tigers (26-5, 16-2 AAC) face off against the eighth-seeded Wichita State Shockers (19-13, 8-10 AAC) at 1:00 PM ET at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. This quarterfinal matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aiming to advance further in the tournament.

Wichita State Shockers vs. Memphis Tigers Game Preview

Memphis enters the tournament on a five-game winning streak, showcasing their dominance in the AAC. Their most recent victory was an 84-68 triumph over South Florida, where they demonstrated offensive prowess and defensive resilience. The Tigers have been formidable throughout the season, boasting a 16-2 conference record and securing the top seed in the tournament.

Wichita State, on the other hand, secured their spot in the quarterfinals by edging out South Florida with a 73-68 win. Despite finishing eighth in the conference standings, the Shockers have shown they can compete with top-tier teams, as evidenced by their recent performances.

Betting Insights

For those interested in the betting landscape, here are some key insights:

• Point Spread: Memphis is favored by 9.5 points.
• Over/Under: The total points line is set at 148.5.
• Money Line: Memphis -444, Wichita State +337.

Memphis has been strong against the spread (ATS) in neutral-site games, holding a 3-1 record. Conversely, Wichita State has been impressive as an underdog, going 8-3 ATS in such situations this season. Notably, the Shockers covered the spread in their recent overtime victory against Memphis, where they were 7.5-point underdogs.

Wichita State Shockers vs. Memphis Tigers Prediction

Analyzing the matchup, Memphis holds several advantages. They have a veteran-laden squad with seven of their top eight players being seniors, providing experience and composure in high-stakes games. Their offense is potent, averaging 80 points per game and ranking seventh nationally in three-point percentage at 38.8%. Guard PJ Haggerty leads the AAC in scoring with 21.2 points per game and contributes significantly in assists and steals.

Wichita State's strength lies in their rebounding, leading the AAC in total rebounds and ranking third in offensive boards. This could exploit Memphis' vulnerability in rebounding, as the Tigers rank 341st out of 364 Division I teams in offensive rebounds allowed per game. The Shockers' ability to dominate the glass could keep them competitive in this matchup.

Considering these factors, while Memphis is favored and has the offensive firepower to secure a win, Wichita State's rebounding prowess and recent success against the spread as underdogs suggest they could cover the 9.5-point spread. Therefore, the recommendation is to consider betting on Wichita State to cover the spread, with Memphis likely advancing to the next round.