Last season, these two teams met with the defenses winning the day as the Tigers took the victory, 54-53. Defense is a big part of both teams' games again this season. The Huskies shot just 27.8 percent from the floor in that one, so look for improvement there as it's the Tigers who are shooting well below average on the young season.
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HOW THE MEMPHIS TIGERS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
A nice easy win over Nicholls State might be just what the doctor ordered for the Tigers after their 86-76 loss to South Carolina on January 2.
Overall, the Tigers have won eight of their last 10 games SU and are a solid 4-4 ATS in those games. Memphis also takes the court without any key injuries.
The strength of this team is in rebounding. The Tigers rank No. 8 in the nation with 43.4 RPG, six more than their competition is averaging. These extra opportunities have led to 79 PPG despite a poor shooting percentage.
Their opponents on Saturday, the Huskies, have dropped back-to-back games ATS and are averaging just 37.7 boards per game.
Defense is also on the Tigers' side to cover. Memphis is ranked No. 3 in opponent field goal percentage, allowing the opposition to shoot just 36.1 percent from the floor.
Individually, the frontcourt is a strength of this team that will have to play up to cover the spread. Dedric Lawson is averaging 14.5 PPG and leading the team in blocks with 29 and rebounds with 8.8 per game.
Lawson is supported inside the paint by Shaq Goodwin who, along with guard Ricky Tarrant, is also averaging more than a dozen PPG.
HOW THE CONNECTICUT HUSKIES CAN COVER THE SPREAD
While Memphis puts points on the board despite poor shooting, the Huskies offense is averaging near the same total-78.4 PPG-because of the team's shooting.
The Tigers rank No. 300 in field goal percentage at 41 percent and No. 321 from three-point range, shooting 29.9 percent behind the arc. UConn, however, is ranked No. 23 in the nation shooting 49.1 percent from the floor. They're also much better from the outside and from the free throw line.
Defensively, the Huskies can more than hold their own, allowing a meager 63.6 PPG and ranking in the top-30 in field goal percentage against at 38.4 percent. That matches up well with a poor shooting Tigers' team.
Individually, the No. 24 ranked Huskies goes four deep with players averaging at least 11.4 PPG and are led by guard Rodney Purvis. UConn is particularly talented in the backcourt where Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Sterling Gibbs are all contributing with points and assists. Hamilton also adds a team leading 8.5 RPG to his 72 assists.
While the Huskies are down a big with 7-foot center Amida Brimah sidelined, Connecticut has enough athleticism to get by.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Huskies are at home where they check in 3-1 ATS and have the statistical edge on offense thanks to a much better shooting percentage. It's up to the Tigers to beat the Huskies on the glass and they're likely to do just that with Brimah out, but Hamilton is more than capable of keeping his team relevant in the rebound game.
Look for the Tigers to keep this one close with their size edge and collection of talented forwards, but the Huskies' athleticism will win out. UConn's defense should be able to shut down a poor shooting Tigers' squad and keep the rebounds close enough to allow their superior shooting to win the game.
Connecticut 64, Memphis 59
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