American Tournament: Temple vs. Cincinnati odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Temple vs. Cincinnati odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Temple Owls (16-15) battle the Cincinnati Bearcats (20-11) in the 2nd round of the AAC Tournament Friday. Tip from Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, is set for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Temple vs. Cincinnati odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

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Temple lost 88-83 at Cincinnati on Feb. 22, but covered the 9-point spread. The Owls beat Cincinnati 70-61 at home Jan. 1, so they are 1-1 straight up and 2-0 against the spread (ATS) in this matchup.

The Owls have lost 6 of their last 8 yet are 4-3-1 ATS in that span. They are 18-11-2 ATS on the season and 16-14 O/U. Their strength is defense, ranking 128th in opponents field goal percentage (43%).

The Bearcats have covered 7 of their last 10 games and have won 3 of their last 4 games outright. Cincinnati is 20-10 ATS this season and 16-13 O/U.

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Temple vs. Cincinnati odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:29 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Temple +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Cincinnati -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Temple +4.5 (-105) | Cincinnati -4.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Temple vs. Cincinnati picks and predictions

Prediction

Cincinnati 72, Temple 70

Moneyline

SKIP.

I like Temple on the spread given the trends. It hasn’t consistently won this season like it has covered, so I would avoid the (+170) moneyline odds.

Against the spread

BET TEMPLE +4.5 (-105).

Temple was the best team in the American at covering against conference opponents.

It was 12-6 ATS while Cincinnati was 11-7 ATS. It was also 7-3-1 ATS on the road this season along with going 2-0 ATS against the Bearcats.

Standout G Khalif Battle is the real deal and should be able to keep pace with the high-tempo Bearcats offense.  Cincinnati is also 1-2 ATS in its last 3 games as a favorite.

Back TEMPLE +4.5 (-105).

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Over/Under

LEAN OVER 140.5 (-115).

Cincinnati has gone Over in 6 of its last 7 games and has scored at least 85 points in 2 of its last 3 games. It has scored at least 70 points in 9 straight games as well.

It should want to push this pace and keep the Owls on edge. The Bearcats average 77.9 points per game this season. These teams were a combined 19-16-1 O/U in conference games.

Back the OVER 140.5 (-115).

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Temple at Cincinnati odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Temple at Cincinnati odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Cincinnati Bearcats (18-10, 9-6 AAC) welcome the Temple Owls (15-13, 9-6) to Fifth Third Arena Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Temple vs. Cincinnati odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

The Bearcats lost to the Owls on the road 70-61 Jan. 1, failing to cover as a 4-point road favorite. The Under 143.5 hit.

Cincinnati is coming off a 73-71 win over UCF Sunday, covering as a 3.5-point favorite. It has covered 5 of its last 7 and is 18-9 against the spread (ATS) this season. It ranks 55th in points per game (77.1) as well.

Temple, on the other hand, is coming off a 76-53 win over Tulsa Sunday, cover as an 11.5-point favorite. It is just 1-3-1 ATS over its last 5 games and is 15-11-2 ATS on the season. Its strength is defense, ranking 121st in opponents’ field goal percentage (42.8%).

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Temple at Cincinnati odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:25 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Temple +270 (bet $100 to win $270) | Cincinnati -370 (bet $370 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Temple +8.5 (-115) | Cincinnati -8.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Temple at Cincinnati picks and predictions

Prediction

Cincinnati 76, Temple 66

Moneyline

AVOID.

Temple beat Cincinnati once this season, so it can do it again, making the (-370) favorite unplayable. At (+270) though, it is unadvised to play the Owls on the moneyline either.

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Against the spread

BET CINCINNATI -8.5 (-105).

The Bearcats have been the best covering team in the American this season, and they are a league-best 12-3 ATS at home. They are also 9-6 ATS in conference games, which Temple also is.

The Owls have struggled as of late, posting a 0-1-1 record in their last 2 road games. Temple has lost 4 of its last 5 games and has lost 3 of them by this amount.

Considering the Owls’ recent struggles and Bearcats’ success at home, back CINCINNATI -8.5 (-105).

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 139.5 (-110).

Both teams have been better at hitting the Over this season, and the Bearcats have covered the Over in 4 straight games, putting up more than 70 in each. Both the Bearcats and their opponent have scored more than 70 in 3 of their last 4 games. They are 14-12 O/U on the season.

Temple is 14-13 O/U. It is 6-1 O/U in its last 7 games and has given up at least 70 in all but 1 of those 7. Put it all together and back the OVER 139.5 (-115).

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