College Basketball Preview: Memphis Tigers vs. Temple Owls

The 18th-ranked Memphis Tigers (13-3) look to remain unbeaten in the AAC when they take on fellow rival Temple Owls (10-6) on Thursday, January 16 at 7:00 PM ET at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Tigers are favored with a point spread at -8.5 (-105 BetAnySports).

Memphis Tigers Betting Preview

The Tigers aim to extend their four-game win streak, with their latest victory being a 74-70 outing against the East Carolina Pirates. In their last two games, they have won by four each time, so they did not cover the 12.5-point spread they were estimated to win by.

They ended the first half with a 38-24 lead, but allowed the Pirates to get 46 points in the second half to make it closer. PJ Haggerty led with 25 points and made all 10 of his free throw attempts.

They shot slightly better on paper compared to the Pirates, with a 41.0 percent accuracy from the field and 26.1 percent from deep. They also committed two less turnovers at 16, which arguably played a role in this matchup.

The Tigers are averaging 78.8 points a game and are making 46.5 percent of their shots. Their defense has allowed 73.6 points from opponents each game, offering a narrow margin of error.

Temple Owls Betting Preview

The Owls have gone 3-2 over their last five games and have had four of the five matchups end by a deficit of six points or less. Their latest battle was a 73-70 win over the Rice Owls.

With just a four point lead at the half, this was a close matchup throughout. Jamal Mashburn Jr. led with 24 points and an assist, which is surprising to see the low quality ball movement when the team only put up four assists total.

Shooting percentages were about the same for both teams at about 40 percent from the field, but Temple did make more threes at 50 percent. They also committed more turnovers at 14 compared to 10 that could be an issue against the Tigers.

The Owls are producing 78.9 points a game and typically make 44.8 percent of their shots. Their defense has allowed 74.2 points from opposing teams each matchup, which shows a tight margin of error.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

BetAnySports showcases appealing Memphis Tigers vs. Temple Owls betting odds, with the Tigers as 8.5-point favorites. According to market predictions, it suggests the Tigers have a 77.5 percent chance of victory.

The Tigers have been great, but not necessarily blowing teams out of the water. Each game has been within reach and the Owls have had similar success in that regard. Look for the Owls to cover the spread.

Final Pick: Temple Owls +8.5 (-115)