The second round of the American Athletic Conference Championship is coming up on Thursday, March 14 at 2:30 PM ET between the Wichita State Shockers (14-18) and Memphis Tigers (22-9). ZenSports Tennessee sportsbook has the Tigers favored with a point spread at -8.5 (-112).
When: March 14, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET
Where: Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas
Watch: ESPNU|ESPN+
Wichita State Shockers Preview
The Shockers have solid momentum coming into this matchup, as they are 3-2 in their last five matchups. Their previous battle was an 88-81 triumph over the Rice Owls in the first round of the tournament, with Colby Rogers leading with 22 points.
Rogers has led their offense consistently all season, as he averages 16.7 points and shoots 40.9 percent from the field. He is also able to knock down 82.0 percent of his foul shots, making him a crucial aspect for them to have a chance at winning.
The Shockers have been able to score on average 73.2 points per game, positioning them at the 188th spot nationally. They distribute approximately 12.0 assists per game, indicating similar ball movement patterns to the Tigers. In terms of offense, they occupy the 226th position with an efficiency rating of 104.2.
On the defensive end, they allow opponents to score an average of 73.3 points per game, placing them at 230th. With 3.9 blocks and 6.4 steals per contest, they demonstrate solid defensive capabilities. Their defensive efficiency ranks 191st, with a rating of 104.4.
Memphis Tigers Preview
The Tigers capped off their AAC regular season with a 92-84 loss to the FAU Owls, ending their four-game winning streak. Despite Nae’Qwan Tomlin dropping 27 points, the Tigers were unable to come back in the second half of action.
David Jones leads the Tigers in multiple categories, such as 21.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He ranks sixth in the nation for his scoring output, but will need additional support from players like Tomlin to get it done here.
The Tigers have been averaging 81.0 points each game, securing the 28th spot in the national rankings. Their emphasis on enhanced ball movement is evident through their average of 13.7 assists per game. On the offensive front, they stand at 72nd place with an impressive efficiency rating of 111.4, showcasing their proficiency.
However, defensively, they allow an average of 75.9 points per game, placing them at 292nd nationally. Despite their active defensive strategy, which includes 4.6 blocks and 8.5 steals per game, their defensive efficiency ranks 193rd with a rating of 104.4, indicating areas for improvement in thwarting opponents.
Betting Odds
ZenSports Tennessee has you covered for the second round of action in the American Athletic Conference Championship. The Memphis Tigers are favored for success, with market insights showing they have a 75.7 percent likelihood of winning.
Wichita State Shockers: +295
Spread: +8.5 (-113)
Memphis Tigers: -420
Spread: -8.5 (-112)
Total Points: Over 154.0 (-111), Under 154.0 (-115)
Photo Credit: © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
