NCAA Basketball: Top 10 “Win Total” bets to avoid for 2021-22 season
By Ian Mumm
8. Memphis Tigers: Line = 32.0 Wins
This offseason has been hugely successful for the Memphis Tigers. Landing the former #1 and #2 players in the 2022 recruiting class in Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren has dramatically elevated the outlook for the program. Head coach Penny Hardaway has not had issues drawing players to Memphis and has even landed a 5-star player in nearly every class he’s been on campus, but even this accomplishment surpasses his previous successes.
The Tigers were also able to sign former 5-star wing Earl Timberlake Jr. from Miami, as well as a strong recruiting class, to support Duren and Bates this season. Seemingly the floor for a Coach Hardaway team is the 20-win mark, as he’s met this total in each of the last three seasons at Memphis. Anchored by a top-3 defense in each of the last two seasons, this year’s team has the chance to drastically improve on offensive side of the ball and significantly increase their win total.
This will be the year Coach Hardaway takes his alma mater back to the NCAA Tournament, but how successful they’ll be prior to that point remains to be seen. The talent is there, but the presence of Bates and Duren are strong indicators for where the offensive opportunities are likely to flow.
The decision-making process for this duo at the grassroots level has been suspect at times and tough, experienced opponents on both their non-conference and league schedule provide plenty of chances to slip up. The youth on this year’s team will lead to some unexpected losses to fall short of the 32-win mark.
Avoid Over 32.0