The Tempe Owls and SMU Mustangs will face off against each other for the second time this season on Monday, January 11, so here’s the best betting pick along with the latest odds update on Sugarhouse Sportsbook.
Back on December 30, 2020, the Mustangs outlasted the Owls 79-71 as 7.5-point road favorites. This time, SMU is a double-digit fave on the home court, so let’s take a closer look at this American Athletic Conference showdown at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas.
The Owls returns to the floor after another long pause
The Temple Owls (1-2; 0-2 Conf.) are having a strange season, as they’ve played only three games thus far. The Owls opened their campaign on December 19, beating the NJIT Highlanders 72-60 at home, while they’ve suffered a couple of losses to SMU and Houston 76-50.
Temple is No. 159 in the latest NCAA NET Rankings and No. 149 in the KenPom rankings. The Owls score 100.1 points per 100 possessions (196th in the country) and allow 99.0 in a return (117th). Through their first three games this term, the Owls have made only 35.7% of their field goals (342nd).
Keep your eyes on Damian Dunn, as the 6-foot-5 sophomore guard tallies 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Freshman G Jeremiah Williams spends 33.0 minutes on the floor per contest, averaging 10.7 points and 3.3 assists, while senior forward J.P. Moorman posts 10.0 points and 5.0 boards a night.
The Mustangs enjoyed a rough start of 2020
The SMU Mustangs (6-2; 2-2 Conf.) got beaten in both their showings this calendar year, suffering a 74-60 defeat to Houston as 2-point home dogs and a 76-69 loss to Cincinnati as 5.5-point home favorites.
That’s two straight losses in the conference play for the Mustangs who sit at the 67th spot of the NCAA NET Rankings. They are No. 55 in the KenPom rankings, scoring 109.6 points per 100 possessions (53rd) and surrendering 95.4 in a return (61st).
Four SMU players average points in double figures, and the Mustangs heavily lean on this quartet. Junior PG Kendric Davis is SMU’s best player, no doubt, as he’s posting 19.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game while making 52.9% of his field goals and 46.2% of his 3-pointers.
[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”ncaab/smu” size=”300×250″ site_id=”atsio” css=”float:right; margin-left:10px”]Temple:
- 1-4 ATS in the last five road games against SMU
- 1-7 ATS in the last eight games played in January
SMU:
- 7-4 ATS in the previous 11 matchups with Temple
- 8-1 ATS in the last nine home games as double-digit favorites
The Winner Prediction
The Mustangs had no problems beating the Owls on the road last month, and I expect them to do the same thing at home this Monday. Temple had 15 offensive rebounds, but the Owls couldn’t cope with the Mustangs defense. They shot only 36.8% from the field, while SMU made 51.7% of its field goals.
Covering a 12.5-point spread could be an issue. Still, the Mustangs beat the Owls by 13 or more points in three of their last five encounters in Dallas and are 4-1 ATS in that span, so I’m backing the hosts to cover.
Pick: Take SMU -12.5 at -110
The Total:
Both Temple and SMU prefer to play at a fast pace, averaging just above 70.0 possessions per 40 minutes, so I’m betting on the over. Three of the last four matchups between the Owls and Mustangs went in the over, and I suggest you stick with this trend.
Neither Temple nor SMU can brag with a stout defense. Just two weeks ago, they combined for 150 points in total, while the Mustangs have allowed 70 or more points in three straight outings.
Pick: Go over 141.5 points at -110