The Temple Owls host Massachusetts on Friday, looking to build on their 23-8 mark against the 20-10 Minutemen in college hoops action at Barclays Center.

This game is part of the Atlantic 10 Tournament which will decide the conference champion and help decide March Madness seedings. This game is being played at a neutral-site court (Barclays Center).

The Minutemen will try to spoil to the party on Friday; they are 14-16 ATS against the number this season, while the Owls are 14-15 ATS. Massachusetts is 14-16 on the totals; Temple is 17-10.



View Massachusetts vs Temple Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Owls - Minutemen odds would favor the Minutemen if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Temple is rated No. 100 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Massachusetts is at No. 80. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 76-73 win for the Owls.



How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Temple's No. 60-ranked scoring average of 72.7 PPG, against a Minutemen defense rated No. 293 and allowing 71.7 PPG. The Owls FG% has averaged 43% to date this season, less than the Minutemen shooters have managed so far (43.6% per game).

Defensively, Massachusetts features the nation's No. 270-rated defense on the road, allowing 73.3 points per game. Temple, meanwhile, comes in at No. 67 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Massachusetts, they were a 77-72 Sportsbook as they battled George Washington at home. They covered in the match as a 3.5-point favorite. Massachusetts earned a 77-72 victory over George Washington on Thursday, getting 16 points from Chaz Williams at Barclays Center.

Temple was an 84-76 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Virginia Commonwealth. They covered the 1-point spread as underdogs. Khalif Wyatt went off for 30 points and added 4 rebounds for good measure, leading Temple to an 84-76 win over Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday at Liacouras Center.