It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the Temple Owls (15-11, 7-7 AAC) welcome the Houston Cougars (20-5, 10-3 AAC) to Liacouras Center. The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 18, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 141 points with Houston set as a 1.5-point favorite.
Houston Cougars at Temple Owls ATS Prediction
In the Cougars’ last contest, they topped the No. 5 Cincinnati Bearcats, 67-62. Houston’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Cincinnati. The Cougars had a rate of 37.9 (above their season average of 34.0), while the Bearcats posted a mark of 26.5 (below their season average of 39.0). Devin Davis had a good game for Houston, putting up 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Owls were beaten by the No. 19 Wichita State Shockers in their last matchup, 93-86. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Wichita State’s largest strengths. They made 29 trips to the line, while Temple went just 14 times. Obi Enechionyia had a solid game for Temple, leading the team in scoring with 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams square off. Temple currently ranks 286th in possessions per game (67.4) and Houston is 258th (68.0). Additionally, the Cougars could control the offensive glass in this matchup as they rank 38th in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage at 34.2 percent. The Owls, meanwhile, rank 322nd at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 67.2 percent.
Houston comes into the game with records of 20-5 straight up (SU) and 12-9 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Cougars tend to go under the total (61.9 percent).
Meanwhile, Temple is 15-11 SU and 15-11 ATS. Contrary to Houston, just over half of Owls games have finished over the O/U total.
Shizz Alston Jr. and Quinton Rose have played at a high level over the last five games for Temple. Alston Jr. has averaged 15.6 points and 5.8 assists per game. Not to be outdone, Rose has recorded 18.2 points and 1.4 steals a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Breaon Brady scored a game-high 21 points in the first game, in which the Cougars defeated the Owls 76-73 but could not cover as 8-point favorites. He also recorded nine rebounds. The game finished with a total of 149 points, which was just 2 points below the projected point total of 151 points. The Cougars had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (41.2 vs. 20.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.230 vs. 0.183).
Houston Cougars at Temple Owls Free Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Houston, ATS Winner – Houston, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston is 5-7 ATS on the road with 6 overs and 6 unders.
Temple is 5-6 ATS at home with 7 overs and 4 unders.
Houston ranks 28th in rebounds per game (39.1) while Temple ranks 247th in rebounds allowed per game (37.9).
The Cougars rank 24th in assists allowed per game (11.0) while the Owls rank 142nd (13.5).
Houston ranks 42nd in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Temple ranks 87th (3.2).
The Owls average 23.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 94th in the nation. The Cougars rank 101st in three pointers allowed per game (20.9).
Houston ranks 38th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while Temple ranks 43rd (5.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Temple is 5-0 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.8, down from 11.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Owls have scored an average of 82.6 points per game (12.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 75.2 points per game (5.5 above their season average).
