Barry Recks
Penny Hardaway and his Memphis Tigers will see action on Friday down in Columbus against the Florida Atlantic Owls. This game could turn out to be an instant classic, so do not miss it.
Read on for more about this Memphis vs Florida Atlantic matchup in the 2022-23 college basketball season, including the latest odds, pick, and prediction to win this showdown, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NCAAB game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Predictions and Betting Preview for the Memphis Tigers vs Florida Atlantic Owls NCAA Basketball Championship Round 1 Game on March 17, 2023
- Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
- When: Friday, March 17, 2023, 9:20 PM ET
- March Madness Betting Odds: View NCAAB Odds
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Betting on the Memphis Tigers
- Regular Season Record: 26-8
Memphis sent a powerful message across the college basketball world last Saturday when it took down the Houston Cougars in the finals of the AAC tournament to the tune of a 75-65 score. Houston is considered by many as the best team in the nation entering the Big Dance, so for the Tigers to beat the Cougars just ahead of the NCAA tournament was also to give their confidence a massive shot in the arm.
But Memphis isn’t just all about momentum. This is a team that has been playing excellent basketball all season long. KenPom has the Tigers inside the top 30 in offensive efficiency and inside the top 40 in defensive efficiency. Memphis’ defense has gotten terrifying of late, having kept each of its last two opponents to just 35.9 eFG% or lower.
Betting on the Florida Atlantic Owls
- Regular Season Record: 31-3
Florida Atlantic deserves so much respect. A team that has won 31 games, regardless of conference affiliation, needs to be taken seriously by the Tigers. The Owls have just topped the Conference-USA tournament with a win in the finals over the UAB Blazers, 78-56, last Saturday. Florida Atlantic finished conference play No. 1 in its league with an offensive rating of 113.4 to go with a 93.5 defensive rating – second-best.
The Owls have one of the most lethal offenses in the nation as well since FAU shoots over 37.2 percent from behind the arc despite taking a ton of shots from there. If they get hot early with their outside shooting, they could break away from Memphis and manage their lead throughout the rest of the contest. The Owls have four players who have made at least 40 3-pointers this season on a 37% accuracy or better.
JefeBet Prediction
Florida Atlantic is a team that could go on a deep run in the tournament. Against the Tigers, FAU will get into a rhythm early by making threes to also open up the interior defense of Memphis. The Tigers will hit back, but it’s FAU which will come out on top and advance to the next round.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic wins, 74-72.
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