Memphis Tigers vs. Houston Cougars: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/19/2023

Time: 3 p.m. ET

Venue: Fertitta Center, Houston, TX

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Houston -13.5

FanDuel: Houston -13.5

BetMGM: Houston -13.5

Caesars: Houston -13.5

Memphis: 20-6 (10-3 AAC)

No. 2 Houston: 24-2 (12-1 AAC)

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The Houston Cougars have done more than enough to launch themselves back near the top of the country, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them get back there should the timing be perfect. Houston, now No. 2 in the country, will try to win their seventh straight game on Sunday when they host the Memphis Tigers at Fertitta Center.

 

Since that loss to Temple on Jan. 22, Houston has showed why it’s one of the best teams in the country. The Cougars have won six in a row and have dominated over the last three games, winning by double digits against SMU, Tulsa and Temple. The latter was the most important with Houston winning by 16 points. But getting the SMU win was solid for this group on the road floor.

 

Marcus Sasser, who is pretty much the heart and soul of this program, led the way with 20 points for the Cougars, who shot 49 percent and went 10 of 30 from 3-point range. Not that it wasn’t likely going to happen, but they handled business in Dallas and got the win that they needed to have. Jarace Walker had 14 points, and Jamal Shead did his thing with 13 points on 6 of 11 shooting.

 

“We want to be No. 1,” said Sasser, responding with a soft smile to the suggestion that maybe it's better without the target. “Just really don’t just care about it too much, really.”

 

Here's what I think we can gather from Houston. If we're looking for a team that we know definitively 100% we can claim as the best team in college basketball, it would have to be uston. I look at the rest of the country and don't see any team that is willing to go back to the top spot on the rankings and put on a show the way that Houston is able to do so. The fact that their backcourt has been so consistent and the fact that it has been so deadly each time it gets on the floor, shows you just how good this team can be. They don't need a huge presence in the interior, they will have plenty to go off of when that night comes.

 

But if we're looking for a team that's considered a contender for the national championship, this would be the team to do it. They have a strong defensive structure, and they have a strong offense that is capable of scoring on anyone at any given night. And even though Memphis has won three straight and his certainly looked like the contender in the AAC that we've expected them to be, what they are able to do against Houston will dictate the rest of their season going forward. And if they can get a win at Houston for those very reasons, it's going to be an exhilarating time for Memphis.

 

Houston is still giving up just 55.8 points per game and if that number continues to trend in the way that it's expected to, then I have no idea what to tell you. They should absolutely cover the 13.5 they are laying for this game. Houston 88, Memphis 70

PG: Kendric Davis

SG: Keonte Kennedy

SF: Elijah McCadden

PF: Chandler Lawson

C: DeAndre Williams

PG: Jamal Shead

SG: Marcus Sasser

SF: Tramon Mark

PF: J'Wan Roberts

C: Jarace Walker