Jacksonville vs Central Florida Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/21/24

The Jacksonville Dolphins are visiting the UCF Knights on Saturday, December 21st at the Addition Financial Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Jacksonville Dolphins vs UCF Knights Prediction.

UCF Knights Preview

The UCF Knights have an 8-2 record this season and are coming off an 88-75 win over Tulsa. The Knights are 4-6 against the spread, and 6-4 in over/under, while having a 7-0 home record.

Offensively, UCF is averaging 80.3 points per game, which ranks 83rd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 74.8 points per game (270th). The Knights shoot with 42.4% from the field (293rd), and with 32.5% from beyond the arc (240th). The Knights shoot with 76.1% from the free-throw line (51st), and are grabbing 39.5 rebounds per game (57th).

Jordan Ivy-Curry leads UCF in scoring this season, with an average of 16 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Darius Johnson adds 15 points and a team-high 4.6 assists.

Jacksonville Dolphins Preview

The Jacksonville Dolphins have a 6-5 record this season and are coming off a 60-52 win over East Tennessee. The Dolphins are 5-4 against the spread, and 5-4 in over/under, while they have a 1-4 road record. 

Offensively, Jacksonville is averaging 71.2 points per game, which ranks 276th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 73.6 points per game (250th). The Dolphins shoot with 42.5% from the field (289th), and with 32.8% from beyond the arc (224th). The Dolphins shoot with 67.5% from the free-throw line (287th), and are grabbing 36.8 rebounds per game (166th).

Robert McCray leads Jacksonville in scoring this season, with 15.6 points, 5 rebounds and a team-high 4.7 assists, while Zach Bell adds 10 points per game.

Why the UCF Knights will win

• UCF has won 15 of its last 16 night games against non-Conference opponents at Addition Financial Arena.
• Jacksonville has lost 10 of its last 11 road night games against non-Conference opponents.
• UCF has won the first half in each of its last 11 games against the ASUN Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of UCF’s last seven night games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 143+ points.
• Each of Jacksonville’s last three night games have produced a total of 148+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UCF ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (19.1).
• UCF ranks 21st among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (25.1).
• Jacksonville ranks 11th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (63.8%).

Jacksonville Dolphins vs UCF Knights Prediction

UCF has won their last three meetings against Jacksonville, and are 3-2 against the spread in their last 5 meetings. In their most recent meeting last season, UCF won 94-52 at home. In this Jacksonville Dolphins vs UCF Knights Prediction, UCF is coming as -13.5 home favorites. UCF is better offensively, scoring 9.1 points more than Jacksonville, while Jacksonville is better defensively, allowing 1.2 points less. The Knights have four consecutive wins and have been perfect in their seven home games this season, while the Dolphins have been terrible on the road, having won once in their 5 road games. I expect the Knights to get the job done at home today, so pick the UCF Knights to cover the spread.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: UCF Knights -13.5