Temple vs Florida Atlantic Odds, Picks and Predictions: Spread Too Large in Battle of Owls

The No. 24-ranked Florida Atlantic Owls are chasing down the top spot in the American Conference, and it’s about as close to a winnable one as they’ll get Thursday night when they host the Temple Owls.
 
After having its seven-game win streak stopped by UAB in overtime, FAU bounced back with an OT win over Wichita State last time out.
 
Temple is reeling, last in the American, losers of nine straight, with just a single win in conference play this year. No surprise, they’re a whopping 19.5-point road underdog in the college basketball odds.
 
Is this as easy as a landslide cover for FAU? Check out my free Temple vs. Florida Atlantic college basketball picks below to find out.

Temple vs Florida Atlantic best odds

Temple vs Florida Atlantic picks and predictions

It wasn’t exactly how the Florida Atlantic Owls scripted it, but it was a much-needed 95-82 overtime win over Wichita State, keeping them just a game behind league-leading South Florida. That biggie is next on FAU's schedule, two days after playing the Temple Owls.

An offense that ranks second in the American and inside the Top 20 of the NCAA, scoring 83.5 points per game, FAU went ice cold against the Shockers, finishing without a field goal in the final 3.5 minutes of regulation. They found their footing in the OT, though, making seven of eight shots, outscoring Wichita State 21-8 in the final frame to win going away.

Perhaps that jumpstarts their offense. Before their win over the Shockers, they had scored 73 points or fewer in three of four games.

While Temple is struggling — this nine-game skid is the longest since dropping 11 straight in the 1975-76 season — they've been competitive. This defense is middle-of-the-pack in the conference, surrendering 73.8 points per game. The trouble is, they're scoring at a 70.8 clip on the year.

The stats matched up last time out, as Temple dropped a 73-70 decision to Charlotte. What did Temple in was fouling, as the 49ers made 21 of 29 from the free throw line, outscoring the Owls by 12, spoiling an effort where Temple turned it over just five times and shot 45% from the field.

A closer look at the Temple’s losses shows you they’ve been within range in almost all of them. Only the opening game of Temple's current skid would have covered the line set for Thursday, and only four of those losses have been by double digits.

On paper, this looks about as lopsided as it gets, but FAU is only 3-7-0 against the spread in their last 10. In conference play, they’ve covered just once in six games where they’ve been a double-digit favorite, with the highest line at 17.5 points.

FAU rolls, but with South Florida just two days later, this sets up for an ideal trap game to cash in on. Temple stays within range in this battle of the Owls.

My best bet: Temple +19.5 (-108 at DraftKings)

Temple vs Florida Atlantic same-game parlay

Temple +19.5

Under 147.5

Vladislav Goldin Over 12.5 points

+750 at DraftKings

With Temple +19.5 slotting in as our top bet, I’m also adding the Under into my SGP. FAU is sixth in the conference in scoring defense, just a few slots above Temple, allowing 72.3 points per game. 

Take away the variable of overtime in their last two contests, and FAU is allowing just 66 points per game. And Temple has kept it low against ranked teams: in their last 14 games against ranked opponents, the teams have combined for 146 or fewer points.

I’m wrapping this one up with the recent surge of strong play from FAU big man Vladislav Goldin. The 7-foot-1 junior is coming off one of his best games of the season, with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. It’s just the third time all year he’s topped 20+.

In his last four games, he's topped the 12.5 scoring line set against Temple three times. Goldin has a couple of inches and 60 pounds on Steve Settle III, who likely draws the defending duties. I think that’s a clear advantage for Goldin.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Temple vs Florida Atlantic spread and Over/Under analysis

This line has yet to touch 20 points and has not dipped below 18.5 since books opened. Both teams are average against the spread, with Temple sporting a 9-12-2 mark and FAU just 12-12 ATS.

It’s similar records when discussing the total, which has gone as high as 148.5 points after some sites had opened at 145.5.

Florida Atlantic has seen the Over go 12-11-1 in their games, while Temple is split down the middle with an 11-11 O/U record.

Temple vs Florida Atlantic betting trend to know

Florida Atlantic has won 27 of its last 28 games at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena. Find more college basketball betting trends for Temple vs. Florida Atlantic.

Temple vs Florida Atlantic game info

Temple vs Florida Atlantic key injuries

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic