Who’s Playing
Western Kentucky @ No. 11 Memphis
Current Records: Western Kentucky 1-2; Memphis 3-0
What to Know
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will take on the #11 Memphis Tigers at 8 p.m. ET on Friday at FedExForum. Memphis should still be riding high after a victory, while the Hilltoppers will be looking to right the ship.
On Sunday, WKU lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks by a decisive 75-64 margin. Despite the loss, WKU got a solid performance out of guard Josh Anderson, who had 16 points.
Meanwhile, Memphis didn’t have too much trouble with the Saint Louis Billikens at home on Tuesday as they won 90-74. Memphis got double-digit scores from four players: guard Tyler Harris (18), forward Emoni Bates (16), center Jalen Duren (13), and forward Josh Minott (12). Jalen Duren has also now had at least three blocks in his past three games.
The Hilltoppers have to know they’ll be fighting an uphill battle given the 14.50 point spread they are up against. They have failed bettors playing the spread in all their past three games, so buyers beware.
WKU is now 1-2 while the Tigers sit at 3-0. A couple stats to keep an eye on: WKU enters the matchup with 11.3 steals per game on average, good for 23rd best in college basketball. Less enviably, Memphis has allowed their opponents an average of 11 steals per game, the 352nd most in college basketball. In other words, they will need to work extra hard to take care of the ball.
How To Watch
- When: Friday at 8 p.m. ET
- Where: FedExForum — Memphis, Tennessee
- TV: ESPN Plus
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $6.00
Odds
The Tigers are a big 14.5-point favorite against the Hilltoppers, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Tigers as a 15-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
Western Kentucky won the only game these two teams have played in the last seven years.
- Nov 26, 2020 – Western Kentucky 75 vs. Memphis 69
Injury Report for Memphis
- John Camden: Game-Time Decision (Foot)
Injury Report for Western Kentucky
- Keith Williams: Game-Time Decision (Not Injury Related)
- Zion Harmon: Game-Time Decision (Personal)
