UCF at Kansas odds, picks and predictions
UCF at Kansas odds, picks and predictions
The UCF Knights (13-6, 4-4 Big 12) and the Kansas Jayhawks (14-5, 5-3) clash in Lawrence on Tuesday. The opening tip at Allen Fieldhouse will be at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's college basketball odds around the UCF vs. Kansas odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Central Florida, which lost to Kansas by 51 points on Jan. 5 (99-48) is 2-3 straight up and 4-1 against the spread (ATS) since Jan.11. The Knights are an up-temp squad which excels in getting frequent trips to the free-throw line. Since that Jan. 5 debacle, UCF has averaged 81.0 points per game(PPG).
Kansas is ranked No. 11 in the USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll. The Jayhawks are fresh off a Saturday loss to current-No. 5 Houston. Favored-by-1 KU led by 6 points with 90 seconds remaining, but the Cougars came back to tie the game in regulation and go on to defeat the Jayhawks 92-86 in double-overtime.
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UCF at Kansas odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:24 a.m. ET.
Moneyline: UCF +650 (bet $100 to win $650) | Kansas -1000 (bet $1,000 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): UCF +13.5 (-110) | Kansas -13.5 (-110)
UCF +13.5 (-110) | Kansas -13.5 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 152.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
UCF at Kansas picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas 84, UCF 69
No interest. PASS.
Kansas excels in forcing poor shots on defense, and in the Jan. 5 meeting in Orlando UCF shot just 20.6% from the floor.
In looking to bounce back from Saturday's tough loss to Houston, look for the Jayhawks to contest shots to the hilt and continue to find a better shooting stroke on their home floor. KU had scuffled at home over a few late-December-early-January games, but has scored 170 points over its last 2 games at Allen Fieldhouse.
Consider a partial-unit play on the JAYHAWKS -13.5 (-110).
The Over has cashed in KU's last 2 home games. The Jayhawks play at a slightly above-average tempo. UCF plays quick and has upped its pace over the last few weeks. The Knights have found their way to double-digit free throws in 3 of their last 4 contests.
Decent overall shooting in recent road games against foes like the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Iowa State Cyclones is another green check mark in the Over column. Since Nov. 22, the Knights have played 7 Quad I games and the Over went 5-2 in those contests.
The value side is the OVER 152.5 (-115). But this total is up a couple of points from its open, and the lean is light-to-moderate. Play accordingly.
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