The Memphis Tigers look to continue building momentum as they host a hapless UTSA Roadrunners team at FedExForum in a nationally televised game on ESPNU at 6 p.m. ET.
Memphis has won four of its last five games and is a 20-point favorite over UTSA, which has lost its last 10 games, which is why my UTSA vs. Memphis predictions expect a strong outing from the Memphis defense.
Find out why in my college basketball picks forSunday, January 18.
UTSA vs Memphis prediction
UTSA vs Memphis best bet: UTSA team total Under 63.5 (-125 at bet365)
There’s good, there’s bad, there’s ugly — and then there’s UTSA. The poor Roadrunners have covered just a single spread since November 30, going 1-9 ATS in the midst of a 10-game losing streak. Austin Claunch’s squad is winless (0-5) in American Conference play and has been frankly uncompetitive, losing those games by an average margin of 24.8 ppg.
The offense checks in at 348th in adjusted efficiency. They shoot 38.5% from the floor (363rd) and 28.6% from behind the arc (356th), a dangerous combination since they also struggle on the boards (333rd in rebounding percentage). It’s a one-dimensional attack led by Jamir Simpson (15.9 ppg), as no other player averages double-digits in the scoring department.
Memphis has a clear identity focused on its salty defense (28th in adjusted efficiency), which was evident in the Tigers’ most recent 55-53 win over Temple. That marked the second consecutive home game in which they limited their opponent to fewer than 55 points, as they throttled North Texas 57-48 a few weeks ago.
The offense hasn’t been reliable enough for me to trust the Tigers against this wide spread with my best bet, especially with big man Aaron Bradshaw’s status in doubt. The defense has been aces, however, and should have a strong showing at home against one of the least efficient scoring units in the nation.
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UTSA vs Memphis same-game parlay
UTSA team total Under 63.5
Memphis -20
Under 69.5 — 1H
UTSA is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games, so it’s difficult to have any faith in the Road Runners against one of the American’s best teams. Memphis is 6-3 ATS at home this season and has won 17 of its last 19 games at FedExForum straight up.
The Road Runners have been a strong play to the First Half Under for a while now, cashing that ticket in 20 of their last 31 games. The same can be said of Memphis, which has cashed the First Half Under in 21 of its last 34 games.
UTSA vs Memphis SGP
- UTSA team total Under 63.5
- Memphis -20
- Under 69.5 — 1H
Our beyond the arc SGP: The bloodshed can wait
UTSA team total Under 63.5
Memphis -20
Under 69.5 — 1H
UTSA +12 — 1H
If the first half is low-scoring, that correlates with UTSA at least being able to hang around for a bit with a wide +12 spread in the first frame. Memphis may need some time to adjust if Bradshaw is out of the lineup before adding on in the second half.
UTSA vs Memphis SGP
- UTSA team total Under 63.5
- Memphis -20
- Under 69.5 — 1H
- UTSA +12 — 1H
UTSA vs Memphis odds
- Spread: UTSA +20 | Memphis -20
- Moneyline: UTSA +1600 | Memphis -5000
- Over/Under: Over 147 | Under 147
UTSA vs Memphis betting trend to know
UTSA has hit the Team Total Under in 20 of its last 30 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for UTSA vs. Memphis.
How to watch UTSA vs Memphis
| Location | FedExForum, Memphis, TN |
| Date | Sunday, January 18, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
UTSA vs Memphis key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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