Central Florida (0-0) vs Texas A&M (0-0)
Game Info: Monday, November 4, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Addition Financial Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Central Florida +4.5 / Texas A&M -4.5 — Over/Under: 140.5
The Texas A&M Aggies are visiting the UCF Knights on Monday, November 4th 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 Texas A&M Aggies vs UCF Knights Prediction.
UCF Knights Preview
The UCF Knights enter the season following a 17-16 record, finishing 11th in the Big 12 with a 7-11 conference record. They had a 11-8 home record with an impressive 11-5 against the spread, while being below average on the road with a 6-8 record but 7-6 against the spread. The Knights were 18-12-0 against the spread and 14-16-0 in over/under.
UCF averaged 71.7 points per game offensively, ranking 236th nationally, while boasting an elite defense that allowed 67.9 points per game, placing them at 66th. The Knights shot 42.0% from the field (283rd nationally) but struggled from beyond the arc, converting only 32.2% of their three-point attempts (303rd) while making just 70.1% of their free-throw attempts (241st).
Junior guard Jaylin Sellers led the Knights with 15.9 points per game and 3.6 rebounds. Darius Johnson added 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
Texas A&M Aggies Preview
Coming off a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance last season, the Texas A&M Aggies enter the season following a 21-15 record, finishing 7th in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with a 9-9 conference record. After reaching the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, the Aggies fell to No. 1 seed Houston 100-95 in overtime. The Aggies had a strong 11-5 home record with 11-5 against the spread, while finishing 6-6 on the road with 3-7 against the spread. The Aggies were 14-17-0 against the spread and 16-14-1 in over/under.
Texas A&M averaged 76.0 points per game offensively, ranking 101st nationally, while allowing 72.0 points per game on defense, placing them 183rd. The Aggies shot 40.2% from the field (212th nationally) and were one of the best shooting teams from inside, hitting 46.8% of their two-point attempts (15th). However, they struggled from downtown, making just 29.3% of their three-point attempts (346th) while making just 70.7% of their free-throw attempts (160th).
Junior guard Wade Taylor led the Aggies with an average of 19.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Senior guard Tyrece Radford added 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
Why the UCF Knights will win
- UCF has won 14 of its last 16 night games at Addition Financial Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Texas A&M has lost six of its last eight games against the Big 12 Conference.
- Texas A&M has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 games against the Big 12 Conference.
Why the Texas A&M Aggies will win
- Texas A&M has won each of its last 10 Monday night games against non-Conference opponents.
- UCF has lost six of its last seven night games.
- Texas A&M has won the first half in each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Texas A&M’s last six games have produced a total of 146+ points.
- Nine of UCF’s last 10 games against the Southeastern Conference have produced a total of 138 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- UCF ranked T14th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game last season (22.5).
- UCF ranked T18th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game last season (5.0).
- Texas A&M ranked 1st among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game last season (42.8).
- Texas A&M ranked 362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game last season (5.3).
Texas A&M Aggies vs UCF Knights Prediction
In this Texas A&M Aggies vs UCF Knights Prediction, the Aggies are looking to build on last season’s successful campaign and are led by senior guard Wade Taylor IV. They are currently #20 in projected ranking nationally. UCF is #45 in projected ranking. The Knights will rely on their defensive intensity to disrupt Texas A&M’s offensive flow and force turnovers, as they try to keep this game competitive. In the end, I think the Aggies and Wade Taylor will be too much for the Knights to handle. Take the Aggies and lay the -4.5 points on the road.