It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the Temple Owls (8-9, 1-5 AAC) welcome the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (10-8, 3-3 AAC) to Liacouras Center. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, and will air on ESPNews.
Temple opened as a 6.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 139.5 points.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Temple Owls Betting Prediction
The Golden Hurricane are trying to rebound after their 72-69 loss to the No. 5 Wichita State Shockers in their last game. One of Wichita State’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 12-15 (80.0 percent), while the Golden Hurricane were just 3-5 (60.0 percent). Sterling Taplin was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting.
In the Owls’ last matchup, they lost a close one to the Memphis Tigers, 75-72. Memphis’ free throw rate was their largest strength over Temple. The Tigers had a rate of 0.180 (below their season average of 0.306), while the Owls posted a mark of 0.105 (below their season average of 0.175). Temple’s Shizz Alston Jr. put up 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the game.
Points at the line might be rare for Temple in this showdown. The Owls rank 341st in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.170, while Tulsa ranks 36th in FTA rate allowed (0.186).
Tulsa heads into the game with records of 10-8 straight up (SU) and 9-6 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total low when the Golden Hurricane are involved, as nine of their 15 games have ended over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Temple is 8-9 SU and 8-9 ATS. Games featuring the Owls have gone over the total 52.9 percent of the time.
After the Golden Hurricane won the sole game against the Owls last season, 70-68, these teams will clash for the first time this year. Tulsa did an excellent job of making free throws (16-21; 76.2 percent). Temple, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.3 vs. 20.0).
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Temple Owls Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Temple, ATS Winner – Tulsa, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Tulsa is 5-4 ATS with 5 overs and 4 unders.
At home, Temple is 2-5 ATS with 4 overs and 3 unders.
Temple ranks 69th in three pointers allowed per game (20.4) while Tulsa ranks 254th (27.4).
The Golden Hurricane average 38.4 rebounds per game, which ranks 56th in the NCAA. The Owls rank 208th in rebounds allowed per game (37.0).
Temple averages 3.6 blocks per game, which ranks 93rd in the nation. Tulsa ranks 125th in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
The Owls average 6.7 steals per game, which ranks 89th in the nation. The Golden Hurricane rank 92nd in steals allowed per game (6.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Tulsa is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Temple is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Golden Hurricane have been outscored by an average of 6.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Tulsa has defeated opponents by an average of 1.3 points.
During their last five games, the Owls have scored an average of 60.6 points per game (8.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.0 points per game (4.4 below their season average).
