Temple Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Picks and Prediction for Saturday, February 21, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Temple Owls (15-11, 7-6 American) face the Wichita State Shockers (17-10, 9-5 American) on Saturday at 6:00 PM ET at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. The game airs on ESPN2. Temple enters after a 76-71 loss to UAB, while Wichita State is coming off a 92-89 double overtime win at East Carolina. Temple has dropped three straight. Wichita State has won four of its last five. Court-side insights! Don’t miss our free NCAAB picks for Temple Owls vs Wichita State Shockers prediction today.
Temple Owls Fighting to Stop the Slide
The Temple Owls bring a 15-11 record into this matchup and sit at 7-6 in conference play. Temple averages 74.5 points per game while allowing 70.7. In the loss to UAB, Temple scored 71 points but fell short by five. That marked a third straight defeat after losses to North Texas and Tulane. The recent stretch has featured scoring dips, with Temple held to 71 or fewer points in each of the three losses.
Derrian Ford leads Temple at 18.0 points per game, shooting 42.0 percent from the field and 83.5 percent from the free throw line. Aiden Tobiason adds 14.7 points and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 47.1 percent. Jordan Mason runs the offense with 4.3 assists per game. Temple shoots 44.5 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from three while averaging 13.0 assists. The Temple frontcourt gets rim protection from Gavin Griffiths, who averages 2.1 blocks and 5.1 rebounds. Temple averages 34.4 rebounds per game, which is lower than Wichita State’s 40.7 mark.
Temple’s defense allows 70.7 points per game, matching Wichita State’s defensive average. Temple forces 5.5 steals and blocks 4.3 shots per game. The issue during this losing streak has been shot creation late and scoring consistency. Temple scored 66 at Tulane and 62 against North Texas before the 71 against UAB. When Temple gets into half court sets, scoring has stalled.
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Injuries: CJ Hines and AJ Smith are out
Wichita State Shockers Building Momentum
The Wichita State Shockers enter at 17-10 overall and 9-5 in the American. Wichita State averages 77.7 points per game and also allows 70.7. In the 92-89 double overtime win over East Carolina, Wichita State showed scoring depth and stamina. That followed an 81-77 win over Tulsa and a 75-61 win at Tulane. Wichita State has won four of the last five, with the only loss in that span a 66-58 game against South Florida.
Kenyon Giles leads Wichita State with 18.8 points per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three. Giles also averages 1.7 steals. Will Berg controls the paint with 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the field. Berg’s presence inside has helped Wichita State average 40.7 rebounds per game, a clear edge over Temple’s 34.4. Karon Boyd adds 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. The Shockers shoot 44.5 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from three.
Wichita State averages 6.1 steals and blocks 4.0 shots per game. Turnovers sit at 10.4 per game, slightly higher than Temple’s 9.1. The recent 92-point output showed Wichita State can play in an up tempo setting. The 66-58 loss to South Florida showed the offense can stall if perimeter shots are not falling. At home in Charles Koch Arena, Wichita State has strung together wins and scored at least 74 points in three of the last four victories.
Injuries: Joy Ighovodja, Pierre Couisnard, Tyrus Rathan-Mayes, and Jaret Valencia are out.
Temple Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Picks Pick
Spread Pick for Temple Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Picks
- Wichita State Shockers (4 units)
Wichita State holds the edge in scoring at 77.7 points per game compared to Temple’s 74.5. The rebound margin of 40.7 to 34.4 favors Wichita State and should matter in this matchup. Temple has lost three straight and has not reached 72 points in that span. Wichita State just scored 92 in a double overtime road win and has won four of five. Kenyon Giles and Will Berg provide balance inside and out. Temple’s scoring drought combined with the rebounding gap points toward Wichita State controlling this game at home.
Over/Under Pick for Temple Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Picks
- Over (5 units)
Temple averages 74.5 points per game and Wichita State averages 77.7. Both teams allow 70.7 per game. Wichita State has scored 74 or more in four of the last five games, including 92 in the most recent outing. Temple has struggled in recent losses but still carries multiple double digit scorers led by Derrian Ford and Aiden Tobiason. With Wichita State pushing into the upper 70s and Temple capable of reaching the low 70s even in defeat, the scoring pace supports the over in this conference matchup.
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