When Wichita State joined the American Athletic Conference before the 2017-18 season, it was assumed that the Shockers would annually be among the top teams in the league.
After going 25-8 and qualifying for the NCAA tournament that first year, the Shockers have since made just one other NCAA appearance, in 2020-21 when they lost in the NCAA First Four.
Last season, Wichita State went 5-13 in the AAC and the struggles have continued this year. Now the Shockers (11-7, 1-4) have the difficult task of visiting Memphis (14-4, 4-1) on Thursday in a game matching teams at opposite ends of the AAC standings.
Entering Thursday, Memphis was just behind division leaders UAB and North Texas, both 5-1.
Wichita State is coming off Saturday’s 75-72 home loss to East Carolina when the Pirates hit a game-winning three-point field goal as time expired.
Memphis rebounded from last Thursday’s 88-81 loss at Temple, to win at Charlotte, 77-68 on Sunday. Redshirt sophomore guard PJ Haggerty scored 18 points and shot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc while senior guard Tyrese Hunter scored 15 points and added five assists. Hunter entered Wednesday leading the AAC in three-point percentage (.436). Dain Dainja, a 6-foot-9 senior, came off the bench to score 14 points, hitting 6-of-8 from the field.
Memphis entered Wednesday as the highest-ranked American Athletic Conference team in Kenpom.com’s ranking at No. 40.
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Wichita State at Memphis Betting Odds
Memphis is a 13.5-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM against Wichita State with the Over/Under 157.5
The moneyline for Memphis is -900 while it is +575 for Wichita State
Wichita State at Memphis on TV
The game between Wichita State and Memphis will be televised on ESPN2.
The tipoff is shortly after 7 p.m. ET.
Wichita State at Memphis Prediction
I like Memphis laying the points. The Tigers are due for a big win at home and their marksmanship from the perimeter (see below) should be a major advantage.
According to Teamrankings.com, Memphis is 9-9 against the spread this year but has failed to cover in its last four outings. Wichita State has failed to cover in its last five games, so something will have to give.
The two teams play at a similar pace. Memphis’ adjusted tempo, according to Kenpom.com, is 70.8 (which is possessions per 40 minutes). Wichita State’s adjusted tempo was 70.7
Memphis’ Haggerty leads the AAC in scoring (22.6 PPG), while Wichita State’s 6-foot-2 senior Xavier Bell entered Wednesday 10th in scoring (14.8). Teammate Quincy Ballard, a 6-foot-11 senior, entered Wednesday leading the AAC in blocked shots (1.82 per game) and was second in rebounding (8.5).
Memphis is fifth in the AAC in scoring (78.78 PPG) and eighth in scoring defense (74.11). Wichita State was seventh in scoring (77.17) and 11th in scoring defense (75.33).
Both teams are competent on the foul line, with Memphis shooting .730 and Wichita State shooting .724.
The big advantage that Memphis has is in three-point shooting. The Tigers entered Wednesday leading the AAC in three-point field goal percentage (.393), which was good for 11th nationally. Wichita State was 11th in the AAC at (.311), which is 304th nationally. Memphis’ proficiency from beyond the arc could be the difference.
