UCF vs Arizona Prediction 3/12/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The UCF Knights and the Arizona Wildcats meet Thursday in college basketball action from the T-Mobile Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UCF Knights vs. Arizona Wildcats prediction.

UCF Knights Recap

The UCF Knights come into this game looking to add on to their 66-65 win over Cincinnati last time out.

Knights Looking To Knock Off Top Seed

Riley Kugel leads the Knights in scoring with 14.7 PPG along with 3.2 RPG and 2.6 APG while Themus Fulks has 14.1 PPG with 3 RPG and a team-high 6.8 APG to lead the Knights in assists. Jordan Burks has 13.1 PPG with 4.8 RPG and Jamichael Stillwell has 11.8 PPG with a team-high 7.9 RPG to lead the Knights in rebounding and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for UCF so far this season. As a team, UCF is averaging 81.7 PPG on 46.9% shooting from the field, 36.8% from three and 74.1% from the foul line this season.

Arizona Wildcats Recap

The Arizona Wildcats come into the conference tournament as the 1-seed and regular season conference champions after finishing 29-2 overall including a 16-2 mark in Big 12 play. 

Wildcats Looking To Avoid Upset

Brayden Burries leads the Wildcats in scoring with 16 PPG along with 5 RPG and 2.6 APG while Koa Peat has 13.8 PPG with 5.3 RPG and 2.7 APG. Jaden Bradley has 13.4 PPG with 3.5 RPG and 4.6 APG to lead the Wildcats in assists. Motiejus Krivas has 10.8 PPG with 8.2 RPG while Ivan Kharchenkov has 10 PPG with 4 RPG and 2.3 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Arizona so far this season. Tobe Awaka has 9.6 PPG with a team-high 9.5 RPG to lead the Wildcats in rebounding up to this point in the year and Anthony Dell’Orso has 8.7 PPG with 2 RPG and 2.1 APG. As a team, Arizona is averaging 86.7 PPG on 50.2% shooting from the field, 35.3% from three and 73.9% from the foul line so far this season.

UCF Knights @ Arizona Wildcats Betting Trends: March 12, 2026

Why the Arizona Wildcats will win

• Arizona has won each of its last 27 games as a top-3 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
• UCF has lost each of its last 10 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
• Arizona has won the first half in each of its last nine March day games as a top-5 AP-ranked team.

Why the UCF Knights will win

• UCF has won each of its last eight games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Arizona has lost three of its last four day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• UCF has won the first half in three of its last four day games against AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Arizona’s last 10 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 159 or fewer points.
• Sixteen of UCF’s last 17 Conference Tournament games have produced a total of 160 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Arizona ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (43.0).
• Arizona ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (57.8%).
• UCF ranks 23rd among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (29.7).
• UCF ranks 25th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (62.7).

UCF Knights vs. Arizona Wildcats Prediction

I’m on UCF here. I get the case to be made for Arizona here, but the Knights are still a quality team, and the Knights more often than not this season have had a tendency to take on the top teams and give them some fits, and I think the Knights at the very least cover if not put a scare into Arizona. Give me the points.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: UCF +16.5