On Sunday afternoon, two faded powers will try and find their way. The Cincinnati Bearcats are on their third head coach in the past four years. Longtime leader Mick Cronin bailed for UCLA after the 2018-19 season and was replaced by John Brannen. Brannen had the misfortune of having a probable NCAA Tournament berth in his rookie season canceled by the pandemic. And then last year, Brannen was fired after a player revolt that included six transfers out. Wes Miller arrived this season from UNC Greensboro to try and pick up the pieces. Meanwhile, Penny Hardaway enters his fourth season as Memphis head coach. Hardaway has posted three consecutive 20-win seasons but is yet to need Dance Shoes, although his 2020 team was a likely Big Dance program if not for the pandemic.
On Sunday, January 9, 2022, the Memphis Tigers will host the Cincinnati Bearcats at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. Tipoff time is set for 3:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on ABC.
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Odds Analysis
On this occasion, we have two teams that gamblers are uncertain about. However, Hardaway and Memphis are the more respected brand with the masses. Especially after all of the upheaval in the Cincinnati program.
Even squares realize that Cincinnati is a mere shell of its former self. And their lack of profits this season makes for a difficult sell. In the same way, Memphis has not offered reliable betting value this season.
Both of these programs are historic winners. Once upon a time, Cincinnati and Memphis were regular NCAA Tournament participants. But Memphis hasn’t been to the Big Dance since 2014. UC last appeared in March Madness in 2019, Cronin’s final season.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Late on, the Cincinnati Bearcats have been a basketball betting catastrophe. UC has gotten the cash in just one of its last eight games. Only two of their most recent nine games cleared the total. As a result, Cincinnati is 10-4 straight up, 4-7-2 against the spread, and 4-9 under the total. Out of 350 teams in the nation, Cincinnati ranks 227th for scoring offense but 30th for points allowed. The Bearcats are a hopeless 330th for 3-point shooting. However, UC ranks 45th for defending 3-point field goals. While the straight up record is respectable much of it has been built upon weak competition.
Junior guard Jeremiah Davenport leads Cincinnati with 12.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Davenport scored in double digits in six consecutive games.
Memphis Tigers
In like manner to Cincinnati has Memphis been in a terrible slump on the board. In just two of their most recent eight games, the Tigers visited the cashier's cage. Now Memphis is 8-5 straight up, 5-8 against the spread, and 8-5 over the total. National metrics show Memphis 65th out of 350 teams for scoring offense but 218th for points allowed. That subpar defense is leaving the back door open vs. the odds.
Senior forward Deandre Williams leads Memphis with 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest. Williams has scored in double digits in five of his last seven games. Freshman center Jalen Duren shows great promise with 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest. Duren has scored in double digits in four of his last five games.
Penny Hardaway is an NBA legend and native of Memphis. His strong AAU connections were a major factor in his hiring by his alma mater. Hardaway is considered one of the nation’s top recruiters.
Cincinnati at Memphis Prediction
As was mentioned earlier, the Memphis defense is putrid and making it difficult for the Tigers to cover games. By contrast, the Bearcats tough stop-unit should keep them within the number.
BookMaker Pick: Cincinnati Bearcats
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