Temple vs Cornell: Odds & Prediction

Team Previews: #5 Temple  --  #12 Cornell

Vegas Odds: Temple -4   Bet at bodog

Why Cornell will win: 

Cornell's season is kind of similar to Murray St's, who knocked off 4th seed Vanderbilt yesterday. Conference domination and some impressive efforts against quality opponents early in the year. Temple isn't the type of team that pummels people, so you don't have to worry about a blow out, and so long as Ryan Wittman pops in some threes, Cornell will be in the game down the stretch.

Big Red to Watch:

Louis Dale, G - 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg

Cornel's senior PG started the season slowly, but has picked it up as late. He had poor games in Cornell's 3 big non-conference losses to Syracuse, Seton Hall, and Kansas. Anything less then 10 points and a couple threes out of Dale probably won't cut it.

Why Temple will win:

Temple has one of the country's defenses, especially against the 3. If that holds true, it will take a big chunk of Cornell's offense away. Unlike Cornell who came close against top teams, Temple actually has been able to win those games.. knocking off Villanova, Virginia Tech, Xavier, etc.

Owl to Watch:

Juan Fernandez, G - 13 ppg, 2 rpg, 4 apg

Temple's at their best when Fernandez is playing their best. He had bad games in 4 of their losses (6 ppg on dismal 21% shooting), and missed the 5th. As he goes, Temple goes.

How it will go down:

Expect a good hard-fought back and forth affair, with a score around the low 60's. In Temple's last loss, Richmond hit 56% threes to only 10% from Temple. Cornell will need to somehow break-through Temple's tough 3-pt defense to win. They won't

Betting Pick: Cornell (barely, I'd avoid this line)

Real Pick: Temple