The Temple Owls (11-9, 5-2 American Athletic) will attempt to upset the No. 1 Houston Cougars (18-1, 6-0) in Houston Sunday at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Temple vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Houston boasts the nation’s top-ranked defense, allowing only 53.3 points per game, and faces a Temple offense which ranks 238th averaging 69.3 points per game. Houston’s suffocating defense has allowed teams to shoot just 34.3% from the floor and only 24.9% from 3, both of which rank 2nd in the nation, Houston’s offense averages 76.2 PPG.
If Temple hopes to keep this game close, let alone spring an upset, it will have to count on its own defense, which allows 68.3 PPG (157th). It will also need to shoot better than its 42.2% from the floor (305th) and 31.3% from 3-point range (308).
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Temple at Houston odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:09 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Temple +900 (bet $100 to win $900) | Houston -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Temple +19.5 (-105) | Houston -19.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Temple at Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 72, Temple 55
Moneyline
PASS.
Houston at -3000 is a worthless bet. Even in a parlay, it will not add any form of value. It is best to just stay away from the line in this contest.
Against the spread
TEMPLE +19.5 (-105).
Houston is clearly a top team in the country, but it’s because of an elite defense, not an elite offense.
While other teams win with a fast-paced offense, Houston slows games down to a snail’s pace to slowly drain its opponents. This means a lack of points and a lack of big spreads covering. That will be the case here as Houston will keep Temple at an arm’s length. They will not win by 20, but the Cougars will win by double-digits and be happy.
Also, Temple is 8-0 ATS in its last 8 Sunday games.
Over/Under
UNDER 131.5 (-110).
In its last 7 games after an ATS win, Temple is 6-1 to the Under. The Under is also 6-1 in the Owls last 7 road games overall. This, along with the No. 1 ranked Houston defense, will allow this game to hit the Under of 131.5.
This number is far too high. If it stays above 127.5, take the Under here.
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