It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the UCF Knights (10-2) welcome the Temple Owls (10-2) to CFE Federal Credit Union Arena. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, and will air on ESPNews.
Temple Owls vs. UCF Knights Betting Prediction
The Owls come in on a high note after topping the La Salle Explorers in their last game, 75-67. The Owls had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (39.5 vs. 12.5) and had a much better free throw rate (0.456 vs. 0.242). Nate Pierre-Louis played a key role for Temple with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The last time the Knights were in action, they were victorious over the Rider Broncs, 84-70. The Knights had a much better free throw rate (0.424 vs. 0.130) and had a much better turnover percentage (12.2 vs. 17.6). With 14 points and 13 rebounds, UCF’s Collin Smith had a solid performance.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Owls won the last game 75-56. Temple’s 0.588 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over UCF, who had a mark of 0.378.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Pierre-Louis (0 points) has been great for the Owls while Aubrey Dawkins (0 points) has made solid contributions to the Knights.
UCF could dominate on the defensive side of the ball as they face off against one of the worst offenses in the country. The Knights currently rank 18th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.438), while Temple is 254th in effective field goal percentage (0.495). Ball protection should be an advantage for the Owls. They rank 13th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.4 percent), while the Knights force the 76th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.5 percent).
Temple Owls vs. UCF Knights Free Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Ucf, ATS Winner – UCF, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Temple ranks 12th in steals per game (9.2) while UCF ranks 164th (5.3).
The Knights rank 14th in blocks per game (5.6) while the Owls rank 164th (2.2).
UCF ranks 28th in rebounds per game (40.5) while Temple ranks 168th (35.3).
The Owls rank 48th in assists allowed per game (11.4) while the Knights rank 85th (12.5).
Temple ranks 133rd in three pointers attempted per game (22.8) while UCF ranks 146th in three pointers allowed per game (22.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Owls’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 6.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knights have scored an average of 77.2 points per game (0.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 64.2 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
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