Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers prediction: La Salle's new three-point barrage runs into Temple's wall at the rim
The Explorers have rebuilt themselves around volume from deep, and Temple's interior defense may leave them no other choice in the 126th Big 5 meeting.
| Spread | La Salle -1 |
|---|---|
| Total (over/under) | 151 |
- La Salle wants a fast, three-heavy game; Temple wants it slow and physical. Whoever sets the tempo likely controls the margin.
- La Salle's perimeter shooters against a Temple defense that allowed CCSU 38.1% from three but shut down the paint.
- No line was posted as of Nov. 8. Temple failed to cover -14.5 in its opener, and La Salle is 2-0 to the over.
La Salle lets it fly
Darris Nichols turned over most of his roster after a 9-23 debut season, and the new Explorers shoot like a different program. Through two games, 54.5% of their shots have been threes, the 14th-highest share in Division I. Last season that figure was 31.5%, which ranked 335th.
They also play faster. La Salle is averaging 74.5 possessions per 40 minutes, 81st nationally, while Temple sits at 67, 304th. Two games is a thin sample, and one came in a 94-55 loss at No. 10 Houston, but the intent is clear.
The makes haven't caught up. La Salle is hitting 31.3% from deep, 218th. Temple's opener offers a reason for optimism anyway: Central Connecticut shot 38.1% from three against the Owls, a mark that ranks 316th.
Nothing easy inside
The threes may be a necessity. La Salle is making 39.3% of its two-pointers, 343rd in the country. Temple held Central Connecticut to 33.3% inside the arc, 14th nationally, and blocked 17.9% of its two-point tries.
Baboucarr Njie, the UTSA transfer, set that tone off the bench with 12 rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes. If the Explorers can't get to the rim, the game lives and dies on their jump shots.
La Salle's defensive glass is another worry. The Explorers have grabbed only 60.9% of opponents' misses, 328th. Temple didn't chase offensive boards in its opener, though, posting a 24.2% offensive rebound rate that ranked 320th.
Temple's rebuilt guard rotation
Adam Fisher enters his fourth season at 49-51, and he is leaning on newcomers. Only 34.5% of last season's minutes return. USC transfer Jordan Marsh carried the opener with 16 points on a 29.1% usage rate, though he went 2 of 9 from three.
Derrian Ford is the bigger question. He averaged 18.1 points last season but came off the bench for 5 points in 19 minutes against Central Connecticut.
Temple also stopped getting to the line. Its free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) was 16.9%, 359th. Last season the Owls ranked 47th. La Salle's defense has fouled freely, allowing a 45.5% free throw rate that ranks 298th, so this is a spot where Temple can return to last season's identity.
La Salle's shooters to watch
Anthony Finkley, the former Saint Joseph's sixth man, has won a starting job and made 5 of 9 threes. That is a sharp turn from his 28.8% last season on Hawk Hill.
Kam Burton has volume: 20 threes attempted in two games, after hitting 42.7% at Stephen F. Austin last season. Preseason all-conference pick Rob Dockery is using 34.4% of possessions while he is on the floor, but he is shooting 40% from the field.
Rivalry, rest and the market
Temple leads the series 82-43 and won the last meeting 90-63. La Salle's 2-0 run to the over came against Houston and LIU, and the Explorers beat LIU 88-80 on Nov. 7.
Temple will have 13 days off when it tips at John Glaser Arena at 2 p.m. Sunday. La Salle will have 8.
The Owls led Central Connecticut 36-16 at halftime, then lost the second half and failed to cover. No spread or total had posted as of Nov. 8. Last season's adjusted net ratings had Temple 165th and La Salle 237th. With both rosters this new, treat those as a loose guide.
Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers line movement and odds
| Book | Owls ML | Explorers ML | Owls spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | +100 | -120 | +1.5 (-115) | o152.5 (-110) |
| BetRivers | -115 | -110 | -0.5 (-114) | o152.5 (-110) |
| DraftKings | +100 | -120 | +1.5 (-115) | o152.5 (-108) |
| ESPN BET | +100 | -120 | +1.5 (-115) | o152.5 (-110) |
| Fanatics | +100 | -120 | +1 (-110) | o152.5 (-110) |
| FanDuel | +104 | -125 | +1.5 (-110) | o152.5 (-110) |
| Hard Rock Bet | -115 | -110 | — | o152.5 (-110) |
| Caesars | — | — | +1 (-110) | o152.5 (-110) |
| Kalshi (fee incl.) | -107 | -116 | +1.5 (-112) | o152.5 (-107) |
| Polymarket US (fee incl.) | -110 | -119 | +1.5 (-119) | o152.5 (-114) |
Where the money is on Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers
On the Kalshi moneyline: Temple Owls: 64% of bets, 99% of the money; La Salle Explorers: 36% of bets, 2% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: La Salle Explorers -1.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money; Temple Owls +1.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 150.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money; Under 150.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money.
Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers stats (this season)
| Stat | Temple Owls | La Salle Explorers |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Adjusted offensive efficiency | 99.1 (343rd of 364) | 104.0 (262nd of 364) |
| Adjusted defensive efficiency | 109.0 (254th of 364) | 110.1 (288th of 364) |
| Adjusted net efficiency | -9.9 (335th of 364) | -6.1 (295th of 364) |
| Pace | 69.2 (236th of 364) | 72.3 (124th of 364) |
| Effective FG% | 46.5% (309th of 364) | 41.5% (353rd of 364) |
| Opponent effective FG% | 54.0% (300th of 364) | 55.8% (322nd of 364) |
| Turnover rate | 15.8% (105th of 364) | 20.3% (288th of 364) |
| Offensive rebound % | 29.4% (264th of 364) | 35.6% (145th of 364) |
| 3-point % | 26.2% (335th of 364) | 29.3% (275th of 364) |
| Free throw rate | 23.0% (345th of 364) | 34.9% (193rd of 364) |
Key players
- Jordan Marsh (Temple): Led the opener with 16 points on a team-high 29.1% usage rate.
- Baboucarr Njie (Temple): Posted 12 rebounds and three blocks off the bench against Central Connecticut.
- Gavin Griffiths (Temple): Had 11 points and 8 rebounds in the opener after averaging 10.1 points last season.
- Derrian Ford (Temple): Averaged 18.1 points last season but scored 5 in 19 minutes in the opener.
- Anthony Finkley (La Salle): Averaging 12.5 points with 5 of 9 shooting from three.
- Kam Burton (La Salle): Shot 42.7% from three last season and has taken 20 threes in two games.
- Rob Dockery (La Salle): Preseason all-conference pick using 34.4% of possessions while shooting 40% from the field.
Numbers that matter
| La Salle 3-point attempt rate | 54.5% | 14th-highest in Division I, up from 335th last season. |
|---|---|---|
| La Salle 2-point % | 39.3% | Ranks 343rd, which pushes the Explorers toward the perimeter. |
| Temple opponent 2-point % | 33.3% | 14th nationally after the opener, backed by a block rate ranked 35th. |
| Temple free throw rate | 16.9% | Ranks 359th, against a La Salle defense ranked 298th in fouling. |
| All-time series | 82-43 | Temple's edge going into the 126th Big 5 meeting. |
Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers: quick answers
Who is favored in Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers?
La Salle is favored by 1 points (La Salle -1).
What is the over/under for Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers?
The total is 151 points.
When is Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers?
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET.
Where is Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers played?
John Glaser Arena, Philadelphia, PA.
Has the line moved for Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers?
No: Temple Owls has stayed at +1.5, and the total moved from 147.5 to 152.5 (consensus of the regulated US sportsbooks since we first saw the game).
Where is the money on Temple Owls vs La Salle Explorers?
On the Kalshi moneyline: Temple Owls: 64% of bets, 99% of the money; La Salle Explorers: 36% of bets, 2% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: La Salle Explorers -1.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money; Temple Owls +1.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 150.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money; Under 150.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money.