Temple vs. UMass Betting Preview: Total Line Analysis

Temple Owls (3-2 SU, 1-4 ATS) vs. Massachusetts Minutemen (1-3 SU, 2-2 ATS)

When: Saturday, November 23rd, 5:00 PM (ET)

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, CT, Uncasville

TV: ESPN+

Point Spread: TEMPL +1/UMASS -1

Total: 148

Money Line: Temple Owls -103/-118

Notable Injuries

Owls

• Lynn Greer III (Out) Suspension

Minutemen

Recent Form

Temple dropped to 2-2 on the season after a 78-69 loss to Florida State on Friday. The Owls entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game finished at 147, just under the O/U line of 148.5.

Temple trailed 39-33 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap in the second half, as both teams scored 39 points after the break. The Owls will look to bounce back in their next game.

Massachusetts fell to Hofstra 75-71 on Saturday, November 16th, in a home game where they were favored by 6 points. The Minutemen not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 146, just over the pre-game O/U line of 144.5.

UMass trailed 35-30 at halftime but tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 28 points while scoring 33. However, their efforts weren’t enough to complete the comeback.

Analysis

Temple’s offense put up 69 points in their last game, shooting just 39.3% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 42.9%. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 5 of 21 attempts for 23.8%, while connecting on 48.6% of their two-point shots. At the free-throw line, the Owls made 20 of 32 attempts, good for 62.5%.

Jamal Mashburn Jr. led the way with 20 points, shooting 40% overall and 25% from three. Jamir Watkins added 19 points, also shooting 40% from the field. Malique Ewin contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, hitting 7 of 10 shots. The Owls recorded 12 offensive rebounds and seven assists as a team.

Temple’s defense gave up 78 points, allowing their opponent to shoot 45% from the field, including 50% on two-point attempts (21/42). From beyond the arc, they hit 7 of 19 threes, good for 36%.

At the free-throw line, Temple’s opponent went 15/24, shooting 62%. The Owls also allowed 13 offensive rebounds in this one.

In their last game, the Massachusetts Minutemen put up 71 points, shooting 39.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 46.4%. They connected on 11 of 29 three-point attempts, shooting 37.9% from deep, while hitting just 40% of their two-point shots. Their free-throw shooting was a major issue, as they made only 11 of 23 attempts, good for 47.8%.

Jaylen Curry led the way with 22 points and six assists, hitting 5 of 10 threes, despite shooting just 35% overall. Cruz Davis added 21 points and also shot 50% from beyond the arc. Jean Aranguren contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds, though he struggled from three, hitting just 2 of 8 attempts. Daniel Hankins-Sanford was efficient, making 6 of 8 shots for 12 points.

Massachusetts gave up 75 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 39% from the field. They allowed 27 made field goals on 69 attempts.

From beyond the arc, the other team hit 11 threes on 29 attempts, shooting 37%. They also went 11/23 from the free-throw line, shooting 47%.

Betting Trends

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Temple has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 67 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
• Through their last ten home contests, the Minutemen offense has averaged 73 points per game while allowing an average of 73. Massachusetts posted an overall record of 4-6 while going 6-4 ATS.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Owls have a strong straight-up record of 3-2. In addition, their ATS record was 3-2 in these scenarios.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Minutemen have a straight-up record of 7-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 4-6.

Crew’s Total Pick

Umass has split against the total line this season going 2-2 versus the number. The two times they went over were against an outclassed New Hampshire in their season opener and in their last game getting by the O/U by .5 point in an overtime game that had a combined 20 points scored. In other words the Minuteman have gone Under the total in three straight and have scored 69 or fewer in each game. Temple has the same history. Blowing an unprepared over-matched team in their opener and scoring 69 points in three straight since. Take the Under 148