Explosive fast-paced offenses are set to hit the hardwood on Saturday afternoon when the Georgia Bulldogs and No. 9 Memphis Tigers step out of conference play to square off on Beale Street. Yet to log a single solid win away from Stegeman Coliseum save for barely getting by Chaminade as huge favorites in the Maui Invitational, Tom Crean’s kids will without a doubt be going all-out to log a win at online sportsbooks against a top-10 opponent. That will however prove to be a tough chore with Penny Hardaway’s squad entering this tilt winners of 13 straight in front of the hometown faithful. But can they cover the current college basketball odds should they ultimately come out on top?
This non-con showdown will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Tip-off will be at 1 p.m. ET from the FedExForum in Memphis, TN. The game will be broadcast on CBS. So make sure to fill out your March Madness Bracket today!
CBB Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
Georgia and its 9-3 overall record rank out as the No. 74 team in the country per the current Pomeroy Ratings. That said, its No. 255 ranked schedule strength paints a different picture. The Dawgs best wins to date have come against SMU and Georgia Tech, teams that currently check in No. 90 and 96 respectively. They’ve already been waxed by Dayton (No. 9) and fell by 8-points to Michigan State (No. 5) on a neutral court. Let’s not forget about the ugly 79-58 beat down incurred against Arizona State in their lone true road test of the season. With that, UGA looks to once again be nothing short of a middle-tiered SEC team that has a trip to the NIT likely ahead of it. That said, the offense puts points on the board in bunches and does so by doing damage as close to the basket as possible (No. 2 in scoring from 2-point range).
Since dropping a tough 82-74 decision to the Oregon Ducks with James Wiseman still in the mix, the Tigers have rattled off 10 straight wins and covered the closing pointspread in six of those matchups. D.J. Jeffries, Damion Baugh and Precious Achiuwa just combined for 43 points and 21 rebounds in the 84-73 triumph over Tulane last time out. Unfortunately, the 11-point final margin of victory came a few points short of covering the closing CBB odds. With that, Memphis’s 3-game ATS win streak went up in smoke and moved it to 8-0 SU and 5-3 ATS as hosts for the year. As impressive Memphis looks on paper at both ends of the court, keep in mind that the Tigers haven’t really been challenged much with their No. 291 ranked schedule strength even worse than the Bulldogs!
Player to Watch
For the most part, Georgia’s 82.2 PPG scoring average has been bolstered by its guard play. Streaking to the basket for easy hoops has been one of the main strengths of the attack. However, Memphis ranks No. 55 in the country in 2-point defense with its stable of big bodies like Achiuwa and Jeffries readily able to clog the paint. That’s where the Dawgs Rayshaun Hammonds and his 6’9” frame will play a major role. The big man is averaging a near double-double with 14 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, but must make it a point to not find his butt supplanted on the bench in order to keep the Tigers’ bigs honest; he’s averaging nearly 3.0 fouls committed per game. Georgia has very limited complimentary depth when it comes to size, so UGA’s ability to hang in this game will go hand-in-hand with the amount of minutes he logs.
Prediction
This should without a doubt be a track meet from the opening tip. With Georgia averaging just over 73 possessions per game and Memphis averaging 76.5, how could it not? The only concern I have about this not playing to a high scorer is the fact that both squads have issues shooting the ball from long range. UGA ranks No. 307 in the country with a 30 percent success rate if you can call it that, while Memphis counters with a 35.1 percent conversion rate which checks in at No. 111. Regardless, I still expect Georgia to force the issue enough that the Tigers No. 2 ranked scoring defense has its hands full all the way through. Remember, their overrated at that end of the floor due to taking on such a creampuff schedule – over she goes!
College Basketball Pick: Memphis 85, Georgia 77
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