jalen-duren-memphis-cbs-getty-images.jpg
Getty Images

The Memphis Tigers have not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2014, when they lost to Virginia in the Sweet 16. The ninth-seeded Tigers make their long-awaited return when they meet the No. 8 seed Boise State Broncos on Thursday in the first round of West Region play. Memphis (21-10), which won the NIT title last year, is coming off a 71-53 setback against Houston on Sunday in the final of the American Athletic Conference tournament. Boise State (27-7) edged San Diego State 53-52 on Saturday to win the Mountain West crown.

Tipoff from the Moda Center in Portland, Ore. is set for 1:45 p.m. ET. The Tigers are three-point favorites in the latest Memphis vs. Boise State odds at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 133.5. Before making any Boise State vs. Memphis picks, you need to check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of almost $1,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Memphis vs. Boise State, and just locked in its picks and March Madness predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Boise State vs. Memphis:

  • Memphis vs. Boise State spread: Tigers -3
  • Memphis vs. Boise State over-under: 133.5 points 
  • Memphis vs. Boise State money line: Tigers -160, Broncos +140
  • MEM: The Tigers are 10-3 against the spread in their last 13 games 
  • BSU: The Broncos are 7-1 ATS in their last eight contests as underdogs

Why Memphis can cover

The Tigers took care of the Broncos on the road to their NIT title last year, posting a 59-56 victory in the quarterfinals. Memphis was strong defensively in that contest, forcing 15 turnovers and limiting Boise State to 37.7 percent shooting. It also received a solid offensive effort from its reserves, as four players came off the bench to score 21 points and pull down 12 rebounds.

Memphis' top two scorers in that game, Boogie Ellis and D.J. Jeffries transferred after the 2020-21 season, but Jalen Duren came aboard this season and has made his presence known. The freshman center leads the Tigers with averages of 12.2 points, 8.1 boards and 2.2 blocks. Duren registered his eighth double-double of the campaign in the loss to the Cougars as he scored a team-high 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Why Boise State can cover

The Broncos, who are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015, have won eight of their last nine contests. They have set school records for total wins and conference victories (15), and they also posted the program's longest winning streak this season -- a 14-game run from Dec. 3-Jan. 28. Boise State won the Mountain West regular-season title and tournament for the first time en route to earning the highest seed in the NCAA Tournament in school history. 

Abu Kigab leads the Broncos with an average of 14.7 points and scored 11 against San Diego State on Saturday. The senior forward has reached double figures in eight consecutive contests and averaged 14.7 over three games in the Mountain West tournament. Freshman forward Tyson Degenhart is coming off his best offensive performance in nine outings as he topped Boise State with 13 points versus the Aztecs.

How to make Memphis vs. Boise State picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the point total, suggesting the teams combine for a total of 139 points. It also says one side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time. You can only get the model's Boise State vs. Memphis pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Boise State vs. Memphis? And which side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Memphis vs. Boise State spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up almost $1,500 on its top-rated college basketball spread picks over the last five-plus years, and find out.