The Temple Owls (1-2) are in Connecticut to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0) for the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase game Friday. Tip-off from Mohegan Sun Arena is at 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Temple vs. Rutgers odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Owls have a season-opening 76-73 overtime loss to Wagner on Nov. 7 and an 89-87 overtime loss to Vanderbilt Tuesday wrapped around a 68-64 victory over Villanova last Friday, although ‘Nova was missing 2 of its starters. Temple has started slow and will take on a Scarlet Knights team who has yet to lose in the young season.
Rutgers has only played real competition once in the early season — a 73-65 win against UMass Lowell in its last game Saturday. Rutgers routed Sacred Heart 88-50 Nov. 10 and handled Columbia 75-35 Nov. 7. While Temple is not starting off strong, it will still be the toughest game thus far for the Knights who will look to remain unbeaten before heading into Big Ten play.
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Temple vs. Rutgers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:40 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Temple +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Rutgers -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Temple +4.5 (-105) | Rutgers -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Temple vs. Rutgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rutgers 65, Temple 54
Moneyline
PASS.
Temple (+160) is a respectable number but it is not likely to win. With Rutgers (-220) likely being the victor, it is not worth a wager in anything but a large parlay.
Against the spread
BET RUTGERS -4.5 (-115).
With this game being played on a neutral court, neither team will have an advantage. Therefore, I am going with the better team — Rutgers.
Despite Temple beating Villanova, it has lost its other 2 games this season and is not a cohesive unit. Rutgers is a solid team and will be able to pull out the victory here. RUTGERS -4.5 (-115) is my favorite play.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 131.5 (-110).
Neither of these teams is likely to light up the scoreboard and that makes me lean Under. The only reason it is not a more solid play is the 131.5 number is exceptionally low so even if the teams do not score much, the game could come close to that total.
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