Belmont vs. Temple

Temple is not getting enough credit for the tougher schedule that it has played compared to Belmont, which does have the better record of 26-5. Belmont made the NCAA Tournament despite losing to Murray State in the Ohio Valley Championship game and the Bruins haven't played in 10 days. Temple had a three-game winning streak snapped with an 80-74 loss to Wichita State in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament, but the Owls still have won six of their last eight overall and they are 14-6 ATS their last 20 neutral-court games and Temple has covered seven of its last eight when following a loss. Belmont is just 2-5 ATS its last seven NCAA Tournament games.  The Owls are led by Shizz Alston, who averages 19.7 points and Quinton Rose (16.5 ppg). The wrong team is favored here, so play Temple. Also take the OVER. The Bruins are averaging 87.4 points per game while Temple is putting up nearly 75 per game. Belmont allows over 75 per game on the road. Dating back to last season, the Bruins are 33-19 OVER as a favorite. Under Rick Byrd, Belmont is 119-95 OVER in all games including 85-69 OVER as a favorite and 51-36 OVER in non-conference games. Back the Owls and the OVER.