The St. Louis Billikens (3-0, 3-0 home) go on the road for the first time this season to battle the #11 ranked Memphis Tigers (2-0, 2-0 home) in a non-conference showdown between the two Midwest institutions. Tuesday’s matchup will be the 59th time these two teams have played and the first since 2012.
Tuesday’s tilt tips off at 8 p.m. EST inside the FedExForum in Memphis, TN. Memphis is an 11.5-point favorite over the Billikens, and the over-under total is at 144 points.
What to Know – Saint Louis Billikens
Saint Louis is off to a perfect start this season, but the Billikens haven’t played anyone remotely close to the talent level they’ll face on Tuesday. The Billikens have victories over Central Arkansas, Harris-Stowe, and Eastern Illinois to begin the season.
SLU averages 103.0 points per game through the three games while shooting 55.3% from the field. Defensively, the Billikens have given up 53.0 points per game and held teams to 32.9% shooting from the floor.
Four Billikens average in double-figures led by freshman guard Gibson Jimerson pouring in 18.7 points per game. Freshman guard Jordan Nesbitt is second in scoring, averaging 13.3 points while also grabbing 6.7 rebounds per game.
This season, St. Louis is 2-0 against the spread and 5-2 ATS over their last seven contests. The Billikens are 6-2-1 ATS against Memphis in their last nine meetings.
What to Know – Memphis Tigers
Memphis is also perfect this season with victories over a pair of undermatched opponents in Tennessee Tech and North Carolina Central. The Tigers get a good test Tuesday night against a Billikens team that can pour it in and is well-coached. Memphis was picked in the preseason to finish second in the American conference.
After to opening week of play, the Tigers are scoring 89.5 points per game behind 55.0% from the floor. Memphis’ defense is holding opponents to 32.3% shooting and 58.0 points.
Freshman forward Emoni Bates, arguably the top player in last year’s class, leads Memphis scoring 16.0 points per game and shooting 56.3% from the floor and 50% from three. Junior guard Lester Quinones and freshman center Jalen Duren each add 12.5 points per game. Duren is the team-leading rebounder, grabbing 8.0 board a contest.
The Tigers are an impressive 16-3 ATS over their last 19 games and 1-1 ATS this year. Memphis is 13-3 in recent games when playing as the favorites.
The Pick is In
Both teams were on cruise control during the opening week, but play gets ramped up Tuesday night when these two teams square off. The Billikens have talent on their team, but they don’t have the depth that the head coach Penny Hardway has recruited to his roster.
Memphis has owned the spread lately, and it is hard to get in front of the Tigers’ train. It should be an interesting match, but we will lay the points and take the home team.
Betting Pick: Memphis Tigers -11.5
