Sean Murphy

My selection is on the 'under' between Temple and UTSA at 7 pm ET on Friday.

Temple has been a poor offensive team all season, scoring 20 points or fewer in eight of its 10 games. In fact, the Owls have managed just 24 points combined in their last two contests. Last week’s 18-15 overtime victory over Florida Atlantic highlighted the Owls’ ongoing offensive struggles. They have struggled to generate consistent production, and their methodical style of play tends to grind games to a halt, which works against high-scoring outcomes.

On the other hand, UTSA has been involved in high-scoring affairs recently, with the 'over' cashing in their last five games. However, these contests came against teams known for their shootout tendencies, such as Tulsa, Memphis, and North Texas. The Roadrunners’ offense, while potent, could face some challenges in this matchup, as Temple is likely to limit the pace and control the ball in an effort to keep the score down.

Given Temple’s offensive ineptitude and UTSA’s potential to be slowed down in a lower-scoring contest, this game sets up for fewer points than we’ve seen in UTSA's recent matchups.

Take the 'under.' Projected score: UTSA 34, Temple 13.

Friday CBB Free play. My selection is on Saint Louis plus the points over Wichita State at 10:30 pm ET on Friday.

Saint Louis comes in at 2-1 after a solid 77-71 win over Loyola Marymount last Saturday. Meanwhile, Wichita State is 4-0 but showed some weaknesses in a narrow 70-66 win over winless Monmouth on Monday.

While the Shockers won convincingly when these teams met last year, Saint Louis looks better prepared this time and should keep this matchup close or even pull off the upset.

Take Saint Louis. Projected score: Saint Louis 71, Wichita State 69.

My selection is on Utah Valley plus the points over Murray State at 8 pm ET on Friday.

Utah Valley comes into this matchup well-rested, having not played since November 14th when it fell 77-71 against North Dakota. The Wolverines have shown promise in the early going, ranking tied for 35th in pace and tied for 24th in defensive rating. While these rankings are based on a limited sample size, they highlight Utah Valley's potential to disrupt opponents with a combination of tempo and defensive intensity.

Murray State enters on a roll, winning two straight in dominant fashion, including a 79-61 triumph over Maryland Eastern Shore on Wednesday. However, playing their second game in three days could leave the Racers susceptible to Utah Valley's uptempo approach, especially if fatigue becomes a factor late in the contest.

The Wolverines should be eager to bounce back after their narrow loss to North Dakota, and their ability to keep games competitive makes them a strong value as an underdog in this spot.

Take Utah Valley. Projected score: Murray State 73, Utah Valley 71.

Pacific Division Game of the Month. My selection is on Sacramento minus the points over Los Angeles at 10:30 pm ET on Friday.

Sacramento heads into this matchup looking to rebound after a narrow 109-108 home loss to Atlanta earlier in the week. The Kings stand at 8-7 on the season, with a solid 4-3 record on the road, showing they can compete effectively away from home.

The Clippers, meanwhile, are riding a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating Orlando 104-93. Los Angeles claimed a 107-98 victory in the first meeting between these teams on November 8th, a game heavily influenced by Sacramento's uncharacteristically poor shooting from beyond the arc, where they went just 3-for-26. It's unlikely the Kings will struggle to that extent again, giving them a strong opportunity to turn the tables in this rematch.

Sacramento's ability to push the tempo and create scoring chances in transition could be a decisive factor, as the Clippers have shown vulnerability in such situations. Additionally, the Kings’ depth should provide them with an edge over Los Angeles, which relies heavily on its stars.

Take Sacramento. Projected score: Sacramento 112, Los Angeles 106.