Temple Owls Edge South Florida Bulls in Thrilling Finish
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 8:05 PM ET · Liacouras Center
Temple Owls 79, South Florida Bulls 78, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won South Florida Bulls vs Temple Owls?
Temple Owls beat South Florida Bulls 79-78 at Liacouras Center on January 31, 2026.
Who was favored in South Florida Bulls vs Temple Owls?
South Florida Bulls were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -500 (about 83% implied). The underdog won.
In a nail-biting clash at the Liacouras Center, the Temple Owls narrowly defeated the South Florida Bulls with a final score of 79-78. This matchup was particularly intriguing as both teams entered the game with identical records of 14-8, making it a critical contest for positioning in the NCAAB landscape.
The Owls, despite a recent dip in form, had shown resilience in their last ten games, recording a 7-3 record. However, they were coming off a loss against the Charlotte 49ers, which snapped a brief two-game winning streak. Temple averaged 70.1 points scored and allowed 66.4 points during this stretch, exhibiting a solid defensive effort, although their recent scoring had dipped, averaging just 68.2 points in their last five games.
Conversely, the Bulls were riding a wave of momentum with an impressive 8-2 record over their last ten games, including a three-game winning streak leading into this matchup. South Florida's offense was firing on all cylinders, averaging 91.3 points scored and 76.0 points allowed in that span. Their recent form suggested they were a high-scoring team, averaging 87.0 points in their last five games, showcasing their ability to outpace opponents.
Home court advantage has been significant for Temple, with a home record of 3-2 in their last five games, while South Florida boasted an undefeated away record of 4-0 in their last five games. This dynamic added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, as the Owls sought to leverage their home crowd support against a Bulls team that thrived on the road.
In terms of their head-to-head meetings, the teams had split their previous two encounters. Temple had won the most recent matchup on February 27, 2025, with a close score of 73-71, while South Florida had claimed victory in their earlier meeting on February 7, 2025, with a score of 100-91. This history of tightly contested games added to the anticipation surrounding this fixture.
Injuries were not a significant factor in this game, with both teams relatively healthy, allowing them to field their strongest lineups. This ensured that fans witnessed the best of both squads, making the contest even more compelling.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had South Florida favored by 9.5 points, with a total set at 154.5. The odds reflected South Florida's recent form and scoring prowess, while Temple's home advantage was also taken into account. The moneyline showed Temple at +380 and South Florida at -500, indicating a strong belief in the Bulls' ability to secure a win.
As the game unfolded, it was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their offensive capabilities. Key moments included Joseph Pinion's driving layup and subsequent free throws that kept South Florida competitive late in the game. However, it was Mohamed Keita's tip-in layup that ultimately sealed the victory for Temple, demonstrating the Owls' clutch performance in the final minutes.
The conditions at the Liacouras Center were favorable for basketball, with a lively atmosphere that energized both teams. Fans were treated to a thrilling contest that highlighted the skills and determination of both squads.
Overall, this matchup was a testament to the competitive nature of college basketball, with both teams displaying their strengths and fighting for every point. The Owls' narrow victory not only improved their standing but also showcased their ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | USF -9.5 | 154.5 o -110 / u -110 | South Florida Bulls -500 · Temple Owls +380 |
Leaders
- PointsAiden Tobiason22Temple Owls
- AssistsGavin Griffiths5Temple Owls
- ReboundsBabatunde Durodola7Temple Owls
- PointsIzaiyah Nelson18South Florida Bulls
- AssistsCJ Brown6South Florida Bulls
- ReboundsIzaiyah Nelson8South Florida Bulls
Recent form
Temple Owls
Last 10: 7-3Streak L170.1 scored · 66.4 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L76-80vs Charlotte 49ersJan 29
- W70-64at UTSA RoadrunnersJan 24
- W69-65at Rice OwlsJan 22
- L73-79vs Florida Atlantic OwlsJan 18
- L53-55at Memphis TigersJan 15
- W75-67vs East Carolina PiratesJan 8
- W76-57vs UTSA RoadrunnersJan 3
- W76-73at Charlotte 49ersDec 31
- W65-61vs Princeton TigersDec 23
- W68-63at Davidson WildcatsDec 19
South Florida Bulls
Last 10: 8-2Streak W391.3 scored · 76 allowed per game4-0 away
- W97-83at Tulane Green WaveJan 29
- W89-75vs Florida Atlantic OwlsJan 25
- W82-69at UAB BlazersJan 23
- L85-86vs Wichita State ShockersJan 18
- W82-71vs East Carolina PiratesJan 15
- W93-78at Tulsa Golden HurricaneJan 10
- W74-70at North Texas Mean GreenJan 8
- L106-109vs UAB BlazersJan 4
- W111-50vs Georgia College BobcatsDec 29
- W94-69vs UMBC RetrieversDec 21
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida | 25-9 | - | 15-3 |
| Tulsa | 30-8 | 2 | 13-5 |
| Wichita State | 24-12 | 2 | 13-5 |
| UAB | 20-12 | 4 | 11-7 |
| North Texas | 19-14 | 6 | 9-9 |
| Florida Atlantic | 18-15 | 6 | 9-9 |
| Charlotte | 17-17 | 6 | 9-9 |
| Tulane | 18-15 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Temple | 16-16 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Memphis | 13-19 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Rice | 13-18 | 8 | 7-11 |
| East Carolina | 11-20 | 9 | 6-12 |
| UTSA | 5-25 | 14 | 1-17 |
Box score
| Stat | South Florida Bulls | Temple Owls |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 22-48 | 28-63 |
| Field goal % | 46 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 7-23 | 9-29 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 31 |
| Free throws | 27-31 | 14-17 |
| Free throw % | 87 | 82 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 19 |
| Assists | 16 | 19 |
| Steals | 7 | 5 |
| Blocks | 1 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 18 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 21 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 34 |
| Fouls | 18 | 23 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 12 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 22 | 71 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half47-41Izaiyah Nelson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-43Aiden Tobiason makes 3-foot hook shot (Jordan Mason assists)
- 2nd Half47-46Derrian Ford makes 25-foot three point jumper (Gavin Griffiths assists)
- 2nd Half47-49Gavin Griffiths makes 27-foot three point jumper (Aiden Tobiason assists)
- 2nd Half47-51Aiden Tobiason makes layup (Babatunde Durodola assists)
- 2nd Half47-54Aiden Tobiason makes 23-foot three point jumper (Gavin Griffiths assists)
- 2nd Half49-54Wes Enis makes 12-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half51-54CJ Brown makes driving layup (Wes Enis assists)
- 2nd Half52-54CJ Brown makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-57Gavin Griffiths makes 27-foot three point jumper (Derrian Ford assists)
- 2nd Half52-59Aiden Tobiason makes 16-foot pullup jump shot (Derrian Ford assists)
- 2nd Half55-59Wes Enis makes 27-foot three point jumper (Devin Haid assists)
- 2nd Half56-59CJ Brown makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-59CJ Brown makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-62Aiden Tobiason makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jordan Mason assists)
- 2nd Half57-64Jordan Mason makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-64Izaiyah Nelson makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Joseph Pinion assists)
- 2nd Half59-65Masiah Gilyard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-66Masiah Gilyard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-66Izaiyah Nelson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-66Izaiyah Nelson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-66Isaiah Jones makes layup
- 2nd Half63-69Derrian Ford makes 24-foot three point jumper (Babatunde Durodola assists)
- 2nd Half64-69Izaiyah Nelson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-69Izaiyah Nelson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-69Joseph Pinion makes driving layup (Izaiyah Nelson assists)
- 2nd Half67-70Derrian Ford makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-71Derrian Ford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-71Joseph Pinion makes 24-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Jones assists)
- 2nd Half70-72Aiden Tobiason makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-73Aiden Tobiason makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-73Joseph Pinion makes 24-foot three point jumper (Izaiyah Nelson assists)
- 2nd Half75-73Joseph Pinion makes driving layup
- 2nd Half76-73Joseph Pinion makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half76-74Derrian Ford makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-75Derrian Ford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-76Mohamed Keita makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-77Mohamed Keita makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-77Izaiyah Nelson makes 1-foot dunk (CJ Brown assists)
- 2nd Half78-79Mohamed Keita makes 0-foot tip in layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Temple Owls, below favours South Florida Bulls.
Venue
- Liacouras CenterPhiladelphia, PA
- Attendance4050
- OfficialsGarrick Shannon, Mike Nance, Josue Nieves
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond