Memphis Tigers vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Point Spread Picks

Oklahoma State has a dynamite defense at #42 in college basketball in points allowed. Oklahoma State used outstanding defensive pressure to take down the reigning CAA champions, Charleston, 70-58, on Sunday. They held Charleston to 38.3 percent shooting and 5-of-26 from long range. OSU's high-pressure defense ranks #38 nationally in turnover percentage (24.0) and #39 in effective field percentage defense (42.6). The Cowboys are holding teams to 61.3 points per game and are forcing 17.0 turnovers per game, which ranks #65. Oklahoma State is also 19-7-1 UNDER the total when following a victory, plus 17-5 UNDER in non-conference games. They face a Memphis squad that isn't a strong offensive team, shooting 42.9% from the field, 28.6% beyond the arc, and 67% from the free throw line. The Tigers needed two overtime sessions to hold off Yale 109-102 in their last contest. Memphis is 14-5-1 UNDER the total after scoring 90+ points in their previous game, plus 13-5 UNDER against the Big 12. Play this one to finish UNDER.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys lost some key players from last season, including Marcus Smart, but they started the season at 7-0 before dropping their first game by plenty to South Carolina. That may be a big marker for this team as it was their first road game of the season. It was also really their first measuring stick game to see where this team was, and they certainly did not pass, losing by 26. Memphis has long held a strong homecourt advantage. They are 167-23 at home in their last 190 played at home.The Cowboys' strong start against mediocre teams has them a bit overrated in this one, and their last 21 on the road shows them at a woeful 5-15-1 ATS. The Tigers are a momentum team at 6-1 ATS in their last seven after a 20-point or more blowout win. Make the play on Memphis.

A big-time intersectional matchup takes place tonight as Memphis heads to Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State has high expectations this season, as they return four starters from a team that won 24 games last season. Memphis has played just one time as a 20+ point favorite, and will be tested severely here. Memphis' biggest question mark lies in the interior where they may come up short in this one. Memphis is often a superior team as they have played in Conference USA before joining the AAC this season, and they have always had a lot of answers on the offensive end until they take on elite teams. Last year, they were held to 48 points against Michigan State, and just 65 against VCU, and I don't see this one living up to the explosive offensive showdown that the oddsmakers project. The Tigers are just 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. a team with a winning home record. Stepping up against the big stage of the Big-12, they are 10-2 to the UNDER in their last 12. The Cowboys own a 7-3-1 mark in their last 11 outside the conference, and have played to the UNDER to a 24-8-1 mark in their last 33 outside the Big-12. Take Oklahoma State, and the UNDER.