Temple vs. Houston Prediction: Can Marcus Sasser and the Cougars Get Hot Early?

Temple vs. Houston Prediction: Can Marcus Sasser and the Cougars Get Hot Early?

One of the craziest upsets we’ve seen in recent college basketball history took place in January between Temple and Houston. The Owls took down the third-ranked Cougars on their home court as 19.5-point underdogs. The public seems to think Temple keeps the rematch close, with over 60% of bets and handle backing the home dog.

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Temple vs. Houston Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: Sunday, February 5, 2022
• Start Time: 6:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN2

Click here for Temple vs. Houston odds

Temple vs. Houston Prediction

I don’t see Kelvin Sampson losing to Temple twice in a season. One of the most underrated coaches in the nation will adjust after the first matchup and have his boys ready. It doesn’t hurt that the Cougars are due for positive regression after shooting 33% from the field in the January loss. Temple won that game at the free-throw line. I’m confident Sampson’s focus all week has been on cutting down the fouls. If they do that, they will win big.

J’wan Roberts took over at the end of the first matchup between these two conference rivals but unfortunately fouled out late. If he plays today as he did in the last 10 minutes of that first game, Temple doesn’t have anyone to match up with him and Roberts will dominate. Expect Sampson to run the offense through Sasser and Roberts in the paint. Sasser will thrive at the free throw line and Roberts will look like Yao Ming in the paint.

Houston carries one of the best defenses in the country and has the best first-half average winning margin at +12.1. They held Temple’s best player Khalif Battle to seven points the first time around, shooting 1/9 from the field. I hate to call that Temple upset a fluke, but statistically, it’s very unlikely we see that same outcome again with the way they shot the ball. I’ll be fading the public and backing Houston to come out hot and win the first half. Houston is a team I trust most early on in games. I wouldn’t be shocked if they hold an overperforming Temple team under 20 points in the first frame.

I have a feeling the Cougars circled this game on their calendar. Marcus Sasser is one of the best players in the country and will show that tonight. Sampson is too good of a coach and Houston is too good of a team to lose to Temple twice; they come out hot and dominate early and often.

Temple vs. Houston Pick

1u Houston 1H -5.5 (-115) Bet $100 to collect $186 Get the best odds at DraftKings, click here to bet

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