Check out our free Temple vs UCF pick and preview for this NCAA Basketball game in Orlando. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this College Basketball matchup.
Temple vs UCF Pick & Preview: Saturday, January 28th Betting Odds
Owls vs Knights Matchup at a Glance
- Sport: NCAAB
- Teams: Temple Owls at UCF Knights
- Where: Orlando at Addition Financial Arena
- Date: Saturday, January 28th
- Betting Odds: Temple +5, TEMPL +179 | UCF -223 O/U 133.5
Owls Preview:
The Temple Owls head into today’s game in what will be their 23rd game of the season, posting a record of 13-9. So far, the Owls have played 7 games on the road, with a record of 5-2. For the season, Temple has been the underdog in 9 games, sitting with a mark of 6-3. Currently, the oddsmakers have the lines set with the Owls being +5 point underdogs.
Temple will be counting on another strong performance from the team’s leading scorer Khalif Battle who is averaging 17.41 points per game for the Owls. Battle is also important to the team’s ability to score on the perimeter. So far, he leads the team in 3-point shots made. Also key to the Owls’ offensive game plan is the play of Damian Dunn who has hit 43.3% of his field goal attempts on his way to averaging 15.24 points per game.
Offensive production has been hard to come by for Temple this season, as they are currently ranked 341st in college basketball at 66.8 points per game. A major reason for low scoring totals is the fact that they have played at a below average pace, and have struggled to knock down outside shots. As a team, the Owls’ 3-point shooting percentage sits at just 31.1%, placing them 413th in the NCAA.
Knights Preview:
Coming into today’s matchup, the UCF Knights are in the middle of a 3 game losing streak and have an overall record of 13-7. Currently, the Knights have been the home team 15 times, sitting with a record of 11-4. The Knights’ are sitting with a betting line that is -5 points in their favor. For the season, UCF has been favored to win in 13 games, sitting with a mark of 10-3.
Taylor Hendricks comes into today’s game as the Knights’ leading scorer at 14.4 points per contest. Not only has Hendricks been key to the team’s scoring efforts, but he is UCF’s top rebounder at 6.95 boards per contest. Behind Hendricks, the team has benefited from the strong play of C.J. Kelly, who is second on the team in scoring at 12.65 points per game. Overall, he has hit 41.6% of his shots and is adding 4.05 boards per game.
Offensive production has been hard to come by for UCF this season, as they are currently ranked 243rd in college basketball at 69.8 points per game. A major reason for low scoring totals is the fact that they have played at a below average pace, and have struggled to knock down outside shots. As a team, the Knights’ 3-point shooting percentage sits at just 35.0%, placing them 187th in the NCAA.
Free Spread Prediction: Temple Owls +5
Our betting model for this contest between the Temple Owls and the UCF Knights has identified Temple at +5 as today’s best bet. Although the Owls are the betting underdogs, we like how they have been performing vs the spread at away. Over the school’s last 10 road games, they have a record of 6-3-1 vs the spread. Although UCF has shot well from behind the arc this season, look for the Owls’ defense to put the clamps down with their 3-point defense. Our recommendation is to jump on Temple to cover as +5 point road underdogs.
