I'll be at this game after watching the snooze fest of the first two games in the Houston Regional, I hope this lives up to the hype!
Memphis/Texas OVER 142.5
All signs point to a fast tempo in this one. Texas was begging to run against Stanford and while their opposition couldn't buy a bucket, UT did plenty. The Longhorns have been hoisting up almost 60 shots per game in their last 5, indicating that they do indeed favor the transition game. Their opposition has run right with them, averaging only about a shot less. Memphis, we know they'd prefer a frenetic pace. The Tigers have put up no less than 54 shots in their three tourney games while their opposition has followed suit with no less than 55 FGs attempted. We should see plenty of FGs attempted. I was encouraging greatly by Michigan State's ability to hang 50 on Memphis in the 2nd half and for the game, the Spartans shot just a hair under 50%. Miss. State followed the same M.O. in Round 2 with 47 2nd half points. UT should be fully capable of taking advantage of what has been a more wide open 2nd half in Memphis' tourney games. Another big thing to get this # over, free throws. I love Memphis' aggressive nature as they've gone to the line 35, 32 & 35 times in their 3 tourney games. Yes, how many will they make - that is the question, but opportunity will be there for these extra points. Texas is getting to line at a good clip as well, averaging 19 trips to the stripe. UT has been pretty abysmal from the line though, that must change Sunday. They've actually shot about the same from the strip in their last 5 as Memphis has. Also with confidence from the Michigan State game, look for Memphis to get some good looks at 3s against UT's 2-3 zone and if they can hit 5 or more, that will help greatly. The Tigers average about 39% from beyond the arc and UT has been giving up around 36% shooting in their last 5. Miami hit 9 on them and Kansas lit up UT for 12 in the Big 12 Championship, so the D despite it's toughness can be lit up at times.
All in all, I expect this game to have it's stretches where the defense clamp down - but both teams have tremendous spurtability & this could have a free wheeling feel like the Louisville/N.Carolina game. If they can parade to the FT throw line where we could see perhaps 50 or more attempts and both hit their fair share [65% would be a gift!] ... I think this total plays out above 150.
Memphis/Texas OVER 142.5
All signs point to a fast tempo in this one. Texas was begging to run against Stanford and while their opposition couldn't buy a bucket, UT did plenty. The Longhorns have been hoisting up almost 60 shots per game in their last 5, indicating that they do indeed favor the transition game. Their opposition has run right with them, averaging only about a shot less. Memphis, we know they'd prefer a frenetic pace. The Tigers have put up no less than 54 shots in their three tourney games while their opposition has followed suit with no less than 55 FGs attempted. We should see plenty of FGs attempted. I was encouraging greatly by Michigan State's ability to hang 50 on Memphis in the 2nd half and for the game, the Spartans shot just a hair under 50%. Miss. State followed the same M.O. in Round 2 with 47 2nd half points. UT should be fully capable of taking advantage of what has been a more wide open 2nd half in Memphis' tourney games. Another big thing to get this # over, free throws. I love Memphis' aggressive nature as they've gone to the line 35, 32 & 35 times in their 3 tourney games. Yes, how many will they make - that is the question, but opportunity will be there for these extra points. Texas is getting to line at a good clip as well, averaging 19 trips to the stripe. UT has been pretty abysmal from the line though, that must change Sunday. They've actually shot about the same from the strip in their last 5 as Memphis has. Also with confidence from the Michigan State game, look for Memphis to get some good looks at 3s against UT's 2-3 zone and if they can hit 5 or more, that will help greatly. The Tigers average about 39% from beyond the arc and UT has been giving up around 36% shooting in their last 5. Miami hit 9 on them and Kansas lit up UT for 12 in the Big 12 Championship, so the D despite it's toughness can be lit up at times.
All in all, I expect this game to have it's stretches where the defense clamp down - but both teams have tremendous spurtability & this could have a free wheeling feel like the Louisville/N.Carolina game. If they can parade to the FT throw line where we could see perhaps 50 or more attempts and both hit their fair share [65% would be a gift!] ... I think this total plays out above 150.
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'S
theres a thin line between love and hate.. todays that line was 144 for me... 
you the man!