Wichita State Shockers vs. Memphis Tigers Prediction & Game Preview - 2/27/2022

Time: 2:30 p.m. ET

Venue: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Check back later

BetMGM: Check back later

Caesars: Check back later

Wichita State: 13-11 (4-8 AAC)

Memphis: 16-9 (10-5 AAC)

Part of me wishes we could turn back the clock a little bit for this matchup, because who wouldn't love to see the Wichita state shockers and the Memphis tigers go at it in 2012 or 2013 or something like that?

I think we all would absolutely enjoy that even though this game is a far cry of a representation than what that epic matchup could have been years ago. We're talking about two completely different teams both on opposite sides of the American Athletic Conference spectrum. Wichita state is 4- 8 in conference play while Memphis has won ten of its 15 conference games this season.

And while this game might not matter so much for Memphis in terms of where its aspirations live for a conference championship in the regular season, there is still the dealings of seating and placement within the conference standings to get us to the conference tournament. Wichita state, not so much because of how far below they are in the standings but this is a big opportunity for the Shockers to, well, shock the system as one would say.

This will actually be Wichita state's first game in a week. The shockers nearly pulled off the upset of their season on Sunday losing to the 14th ranked Houston Cougars 76 to 74 in double overtime. One can only imagine what would have happened had Wichita state hung on to win that game but the implications of that situation might have been catastrophic for that conference as well as the overall psyche of that league.

Craig Porter and Ricky council both had 17 points to lead the offense for Wichita State as well as Tyson Etienne with 15 points on eleven shots. Somehow, someway, Wichita State was able to keep this game close despite shooting 39% from the floor. It was the defense on Houston that really gave Wichita state a chance, holding Houston to just 39% from the floor and only nine of 31 from 3 point range. Even the fact that Wichita made 23 of its 26 free throw attempts, had it just made one or two more shots it might have pulled off the upset.

But almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades and for Wichita state, there is not enough time to reflect on the almosts. Especially now knowing that the tigers will be at home coming in on a red hot run of four wins in five games and are coming off a 14 point victory on Thursday against Temple.

Memphis big man Jalen Duren had 22 points to go along with six rebounds for the tigers in what was a dominant second half for Penny Hardaway's team. DeAndre Williams had 19 points and nine rebounds as Memphis dominated the rebounding category 35 to 26 and won the game despite turning the ball over four more times period it did help that Memphis made 49% of its shots despite only taking 15 threes.

Again I don't think we're ever going to get the Fred VanVleet versus Derrick Rose game that I think would be just fantastic unless we just loaded up NBA2K22 and called it a day but this would have been a much better matchup this time of year 10 years ago had it been realistic. Even the VanVleet-Rose thing isn't that realistic but let me live my life would you?

Given the fact that Wichita state has played teams tough the last few games, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I have strong reservations on how I believe Memphis will come out to win this game period they're on fire, they're playing the best basketball of their season despite so many distractions, and right now I like the way that they're playing in the time of year you need to be playing good college basketball. So I will take the tigers in what should be an interesting game for the most part but Memphis pulls away late. Memphis by 10

Wichita State is 33-17 ATS after a game in which they made 88 percent o their free throws or better.

Wichita State is 5-1 ATS revenging a loss when the opponent scored 75 points or more.

Memphis is 31-15 ATS in its last 46 conference games.

Memphis is 18-5 ATS after covering four or five of its last six against the spread.

PG: Craig Porter Jr.

SG: Tyson Etienne

SF: Dexter Dennis

PF: Morris Udeze

C: Joe Pleasant

PG: Alex Lomax

SG: Lester Quinones

SF: Landers Nolley II

PF: DeAndre Williams

C: Jalen Duren

Points: Tyson Etienne -- 15.1

Rebounds: Moris Udeze -- 5.8

Assists: Craig Porter Jr. -- 3.6

Points: Jalen Duren -- 11.9

Rebounds: Jalen Duren -- 7.5

Assists: Alex Lomax -- 4.0