Memphis and Houston close the regular season with a prime AAC showdown on CBS
The stakes are high for Memphis as it enters Sunday's regular season finale against No. 14 Houston and its NCAA Tournament fate hangs in the balance. The Tigers (18-9, 12-5 AAC) are looking to make their first appearance at the Big Dance under coach Penny Hardaway's four-year tenure and find themselves on the right side of the bubble as they welcome AAC champion Cougars to town. Huh. But according to CBS Sports bracketology expert Jerry Palm, Memphis' margin for error is slim, as it is considered one of "in the last four."
A second win over Houston (26-4, 15-2) would go a long way toward bolstering Memphis' résumé and giving the Tigers some leeway to face an early exit from next week's AAC tournament. Meanwhile, the Cougars enter the NCAA Tournament as the projected No. 6 seed and could enter postseason play on a seven-game winning streak if they are able to avenge their February 12 home loss to the Tigers.
Memphis overtook Houston 41–28 in the second half of that game, and the result helped to reinvigorate the Tigers' NCAA Tournament chances. With veteran wing landers Nolly III, veteran Deandre Williams and star freshman center Jalen Duren back in the lineup following injury issues during the season, Memphis is now its best basketball player after a terrifying three-game slide against league opposition in January. is playing.
Houston has also been contested all season, and injured backcourt players Marcus Sasser and Traman Mark are not getting back. But despite those defeats, veteran coach Calvin Sampson managed to win another conference title. It would be impressive to cap it off with a road win over a hot Memphis team.
How to watch Houston vs. Memphis live
Date: Sunday, March 6 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: FedExForum-- Memphis, Tennessee
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App
Houston vs. Memphis Prediction, Picks
Memphis finds another gear when its back is against the wall, and that's where non-conference games have a terrible stretch and put this team in January. The Tigers proved they could beat Houston in a 69–59 victory on February 12 and should be able to do it again with the backing of what figures to be an inspired home crowd. The Cougars are the AAC regular-season champions, but the Tigers may be the hottest team as the league tournament draws to a close. Prediction: Memphis 74, Houston 70