Memphis is the defending regular-season and tournament champ in the American Conference. But this year, the Tigers could face more challengers than a year ago. One of the potential upstarts is FAU.
The Owls will attempt to show they are contenders when they host Memphis in Sunday’s American Conference matchup.
FAU (10-6, 2-1) opened its American schedule with a 40-point home win over UTSA before losing 69-66 at Tulane. The Owls rebounded with an impressive 76-71 win at UAB on Wednesday in their last outing.
During its first two American Conference games, Memphis (7-7, 2-0) won at home against North Texas, 57-48, and at Rice, 76-70.
Overall, the Tigers have won three in a row while playing their usual difficult schedule. Memphis has the 15th-best net rating (strength of schedule rating) of 8.35 according to Kenpom.com. By comparison, FAU’s net rating was 3.08, which was 91st nationally.
Senior guard Dug McDaniel, a transfer from Kansas State, had 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals to lead the Tigers to the win at Rice.
Memphis at FAU Odds
As of this writing, FAU is a 1.5-point college basketball betting odds favorite, according to BetMGM.
The Over/Under is at 151.5 points.
Memphis at FAU On TV
Tipoff for Memphis at Florida Atlantic is shortly after 1 p.m. ET.
The game will be televised on ESPN2.
Memphis at FAU Prediction
I like Memphis covering the points.
This has a chance to be a high-scoring game. FAU is averaging 83.1 points per game, which is fourth in the American, while allowing 72.9, which is fifth.
Memphis averages 74.1 points, which is eighth, while allowing 73.2 PPG, which is seventh.
Whichever team is able to score more in transition could determine the winner. FAU entered the weekend averaging 15.6 fast break points, which was 56th nationally, while Memphis stood at 154th with an 11.64 average.
Memphis relies on plenty of balance. McDaniel is the only double-figure scorer on the team, averaging 14.5 points per game. Six other players average between 7.4 and 9.4 PPG.
FAU holds more high-level scoring. Sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool is averaging a team-high 16.6 points, shooting .363 from deep.
Kanaan Carlyle averages 15.1 points, while 6-foot-5 sophomore Isaiah Elohim averages 11.7 points and is shooting .423 from beyond the arc.
FAU holds the edge in three-point shooting (.351 to .318). Memphis defends the three well, holding opponents to a .308 percentage, second in the American. FAU’s opponents are shooting .347 from deep.
One area that hurts Memphis is free-throw shooting. The Tigers are shooting just .696 from the foul line, compared to .739 for FAU.
FAU seems to have the statistical edge, but the fact that Memphis has played a more challenging schedule should be a big factor for the Tigers.
