Memphis vs. Tulsa Prediction: Can PJ Haggerty, Tulsa Surprise Tigers?
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane are hosting the Memphis Tigers on Thursday night in an American conference battle. Can PJ Haggerty and the Golden Hurricane stun the visiting Tigers to start the new year? Krabs gives us his pick against the spread in Memphis vs. Tulsa.
Krabs - January 4, 2024, 4:55 PM EST
5 minMemphis vs. Tulsa Prediction: Can PJ Haggerty, Tulsa Surprise Tigers?
Don’t let the Tulsa Golden Hurricane get hot! It might be too late, as they are already 9-3 this season. Tonight, they welcome in the 15th-ranked Memphis Tigers to the Donald W. Reynolds Center. Will Tulsa pull off their biggest win of the season tonight, or will Memphis continue to roll?
Memphis vs. Tulsa Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: January 4, 2024
- Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN+
Memphis vs. Tulsa Prediction
Memphis will have the best player on the court tonight in David Jones, but Tulsa has their own young star in the making as well. PJ Haggerty, a freshman transfer from TCU, is averaging close to 18 PPG this season. He is coming off back-to-back 20+ point performances. Haggerty will be able to keep Tulsa in this game, even if Memphis goes on a few runs.
Tulsa also has the better defensive efficiency between these two squads. Memphis ranks around 100th in the country, while Tulsa owns the 16th most-efficient defense in the country. Their tenacity and grit on the defensive side of the ball has won Tulsa a lot of games this season, and kept them in games they would’ve gotten blown-out in last season.
This is a huge letdown spot for a Memphis team that has won six games in a row. A lot of those games were closer than they should have been; it’s only a matter of time before this inconsistent Memphis team drops another game to an inferior opponent.
David Jones and this Memphis team like to push the pace, but so does Tulsa, who is actually averaging more possessions per game than the Tigers. This is a bad matchup for a Memphis team that if they take PJ Haggerty and Tulsa lightly, they not only won’t cover; Memphis will lose outright.
Back Tulsa to keep this game within single-digits. They have the speed and talent to keep up with Memphis, and catch them sleeping after six straight wins. Fade Memphis on the road, and back Tulsa to defend their home court tonight.
Memphis Tigers vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane Prediction
Pick: TLSA +9.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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