UCF Knights vs. Temple Owls Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Dec. 15, 2021

Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The UCF Knights (6-2) and Temple Owls (6-4) kick off American Athletic Conference (AAC) action Wednesday at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ESPN2.

Score Prediction

UCF 71, Temple 66

Best Bets

UCF -3.5 (-110) at PlayMGM

UCF Knights vs. Temple Owls Predictions

The Knights have rounded into form after a pair of consecutive setbacks to Oklahoma and Auburn, topping Bethune Cookman and North Carolina A&T. Sure, those aren't exactly cream of the crop opponents, but it's good to build momentum heading into the conference schedule. This UCF team does have a win at Miami (Fla.), as well as a road victory in Evansville, so they have done well outside of the power conference opponents.

The Owls are looking to pick themselves up and dust themselves off after getting routed by city rival St. Joseph's last time out, 68-49. The Owls were favored by one-point in that one, and the rivals Hawks led it wire to wire. Ouch.

It hasn't all been bad for Temple. They have picked up victories over city rival La Salle, as well as in-state rival Penn, a decent Ivy League side. The Owls also went down to Nashville and won at Vanderbilt in overtime as eight-point 'dogs in the barn of an SEC school.

UCF Knights vs. Temple Owls Betting Odds

• UCF -175
• Temple +145
• UCF -4.5 (-105)
• Temple +4.5 (-115)
• Over 135.5 (-110)
• Under 135.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

UCF Knights vs. Temple Owls Betting Resources

• Matchup: AAC
• Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2021
• Venue: Liacouras Center
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• TV-Time: ESPN2 - 7:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

UCF Knights Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 6-2
• ATS: 3-5
• O/U: 4-4

UCF picked up an 83-68 win over North Carolina A&T last time out, but they failed to cover the 17.5-point number. That's 1-3 ATS across the past four outings, and just 3-5 ATS in eight games overall. It's been a roller coaster season against the number, as the Knights haven't covered in back-to-back games this season, but they also have just one instance of failing to cover in consecutive games, and that was against Auburn and Oklahoma, the two best teams on their schedule.

As far as the totals, that's also been up and down. In fact, UCF has alternated OVERs and UNDERs in each of their eight games to date. They hit the OVER against NC A&T last time out, so if you believe in those type of coincidental trends, then an UNDER is coming on Wednesday.

The Knights head in with a 6-2 ATS mark across the past eight games on the road, while cashing in each of the past six following a non-cover in the previous time out, too. However, they're just 1-4 ATS in the previous five against teams with a winning overall record.

Temple Owls Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 6-4
• ATS: 5-5
• O/U: 5-5

Temple had been extremely competitive recently, ripping off five straight victories, including an OT trip to Vanderbilt, before falling flat on their faces in a rivalry game on the road against the St. Joseph's Hawks. It wasn't so much that the Owls were beaten, but it was how they were beaten. The 49 points was second lowest of the season, just one point more than the production they had agaisnt Clemson on a neutral court back on Nov. 18. Temple also shot a dismal 31% (20-of-64) from the field, and an even worse 10% (2-of-20) from behind the 3-point line. But the most concerning stat of the entire game was the fact the Owls managed to hit just 7-of-18 from the free-throw line, which equates to 39%. That won't fly anywhere, against any opponent. You know HC Aaron McKie had them working on that frequently in practice since.

Temple saw its season-high 3-0 ATS run snapped hard by St. Joe's. The Owls have managed just three covers against their past 10 games at Lincouras Center in Philly, while going 1-3-1 ATS in the past five at home against teams with a winning overall mark on the road, too.

As far as the totals are concerned, the UNDER is 5-2 in Temple's past seven at home against teams with a winning overall road mark. In this series, the favorite is 3-1-1 ATS in the past five meetings, with the home team going 4-1-1 ATS in the past six meetings in this series.

The favorite is 4-1-1 ATS in the past six meetings between UCF and Temple. (AP)

Inside the Stats - UCF Knights

• Record: 6-2
• VI Ranking: 65
• PS/G: 74.5 (127th)
• PA/G: 65.5 (114th)
• ORtg: 108 (86th)
• DRtg: 94.9 (139th)

Inside the Stats - Temple Owls

• Record: 6-4
• VI Ranking: 137
• PS/G: 67.8 (268th)
• PA/G: 67.9 (179th)
• ORtg: 100 (228th)
• DRtg: 100.1 (248th)

Key Players to Watch

• UCF: Darin Green Jr. - G (15.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 SPG)
• UCF: Darius Perry - G (12.8 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG)
• TEM: Khalif Battle - G (21.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 48.8 3P%)
• TEM: Damian Dunn - G (13.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.3 SPG)

UCF Knights vs. Temple Owls Betting Conclusion

Prior to the last game against St. Joe's, I would have been all over Temple. I still am a big fan of what they were doing prior to that game, as it finally looked like they were piecing things together. However, UCF has had it going on most of the season. Losses to a ranked Auburn team and Oklahoma on the road is nothing to be ashamed about. They've handled their business in every other outing.

I think the books have this one just right. In fact, often times I've make up my own spread and total, then do the score prediction, then look to what the books are saying. Our thinking is nearly identical. Therefore, I think your best bet is to play the Knights straight up on the money line, and don't worry about messing with the points. If you do, play lightly on the Knights laying the points. In addition, the total is going to be super close, too. In fact, I don't expect the total to be decided until the final minute of regulation.

UCF Knights vs. Temple Owls Betting Trends

• UCF is 6-2 ATS in the past eight road games.
• UCF is 1-4 ATS in the past five games against winning teams.
• Temple is 3-7 ATS in the past 10 home games.
• The OVER is 5-2 in UCF's past seven road games.
• The UNDER is 5-2 in Temple's past seven home games against teams with a winning road record.
• The favorite is 3-1-1 ATS in the past five meetings.
• The home team is 4-1-1 ATS in the past six meetings.

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