sportsbook review players should definitely check out the Maui Invitational as teams look to the Hawaiian tournament as a chance to show they’ll be players on the national stage, and two teams aiming to put themselves on your radar square off on Monday as Memphis takes on Michigan. These teams are put together very similarly, but the Tigers are just a little better and have been together for a year.
What: NCAA Basketball Betting
When: Monday, November 21st, 3:00 PM ET
Where: Lahaina Civic Center, Maui, HI
Pick: Memphis Tigers
Why Bet On Michigan Wolverines (3-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
The No.17 Wolverines struggled to defeat Western Illinois 59-55 at home on Thursday, and you have to wonder if they were a little distracted by the trip to Hawaii. Tim Hardaway Jr. has gotten off to a solid start, averaging 14.3 points and 3.0 assists, but he is shooting 45.5% from the foul line so far, so he’ll have to work on that. Freshman point guard Trey Burke may be the most important key to the puzzle as he was supposed to go to Ohio State, but chose the Wolverines to give Michigan a dynamic guard that can draw the attention of the defense. Through the first three games of the season, Burke is averaging 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals and he is one of those guys who can fill the scoresheet, but his job will be to get everyone involved. Big men Jordan Morgan and Evan Smotrycz will have to provide an inside presence for a team that was largely perimeter based last season. If they are going to compete with the likes of Ohio State and Wisconsin, the Wolverines need to be balanced.
Guards Zack Novak and Stu Douglass have to get control of this team as the only seniors on the squad, and there are a lot of young guys who would love to eschew the team concept and do their own thing. As the upperclassmen, Novak and Douglass have to keep the team on track because the talent is there and if they can get some inside scoring, Michigan will be a dangerous NCAA basketball betting darkhorse.
Why Bet On Memphis Tigers (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
There are high expectations for the No.10 Tigers, who return five starters back from last year’s team that was one of the youngest in the country, and even though they’re still young, having that continuity is crucial in today’s era of one-and-done players. Memphis defeated 97-81 in their season debut against Belmont, and the trio of Wesley Witherspoon, Will Barton and Joe Jackson combined for 65 points, and Witherspoon is going to be important this season as one of the only seniors on the team, along with another guard, Charles Carmouche and little-used guard Preston Laird. The Tigers need some leadership as there are talented players who will have to take a back seat this season, or at least go down a peg from the level of minutes and stardom they were used to in high school. Head coach Josh Pastner has taken over from predecessor John Calipari in that he is an excellent recruiter, and the Tigers are loaded with talent and depth. How he handles that talent, along with the leadership of Witherspoon, will be key to Memphis’ college basketball odds.
The Tigers will also need sophomore forward Tarik Black to stay out of trouble, which found him in the Belmont game, as he gives them a legitimate threat in the post and will allow them to flourish on the perimeter. Also, keep an eye on freshman Adonis Thomas, who had 12 points against Belmont and some think he’ll be ready to jump to the NBA after this season. He plays small forward, but can help out down low in a pinch, and he may be the best athlete on the team. Thomas isn’t starting yet, but he may be by the time the Conference-USA schedule tips off.
How It Will Play Out
Look for Memphis to be the NCAA basketball betting favorites on Monday at the Maui Invitational, one of the most prestigious early-season tournaments in college hoops, and last year’s Maui champion, Connecticut, ended up going all the way to the national title in one of the most stunning runs in NCAA history. These programs have met just once, a 73-72 win for Memphis at Michigan way back in 1996.
These two are built similarly as the perimeter is the focus of their offense, but the edge goes to Memphis, who are essentially a more talented version of Michigan that has been together for a year. Once the Tigers figure out how to include Thomas in the mix, they could be a problem on a national level and a win in the Maui Invitational would state their intentions for the season. Wager on Memphis in your sports betting picks.
Michigan Memphis Betting Pick: Memphis Tigers