Texas Tech (9-2) vs Central Florida (9-2)
December 31, 2024 at 02:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Texas Tech -12.5 — Over/Under: 148.5
In this article, we will formulate a UCF vs Texas Tech Prediction for this college basketball game on Tuesday, December 31st, at the United Supermarkets Arena. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:
-The Knights’ recent form and recent player performance
-The Red Raiders’ recent form and recent player performance
-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving UCF
-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Texas Tech
-Recent betting trends in games played between UCF and Texas Tech
-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Knights and Red Raiders.
UCF Looks for Sixth Straight Win
UCF has played well to start the season and they are looking for their sixth straight win heading into this game. The Knights’s last game came against Jacksonville and they scored 86 points on the way to the 20-point victory. Keyshawn Hall had a strong game putting up 21 points, four assists, and three rebounds. There were four different players that put up at least 10 points. As a team, the Knights shot 58.7 percent from the field and 58.8 percent from behind the three-point line. They hit 10 shots from deep and they have a ton of confidence right now.
UCF on the season is averaging 80.8 points while their defense is giving up 74 points per game. The offense is ranked 71st in the league while the defense is ranked 254th. One thing this team does is they get to the free throw line. They are averaging 19.2 free throws per game which is 8th most in the league. Guard’s Jaylin Sellers and Cameron Simpson are both out indefinitely with injury. JJ Taylor is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is questionable. Guard Mikey Williams is dealing with a foot injury and is also questionable. Jordan Ivy-Curry is averaging 16.3 points while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 37 percent from behind the three-point line. UCF will face Kansas following this one.
Can Texas Tech Make a Statement?
Texas Tech has two losses on the season but they hope to get Big Ten play out to a fast start. Texas Tech has won two games in a row. Three games ago against Texas A&M, Texas Tech was defeated 72-67. In the last game against Lamar, the offense scored 101 points and the defense gave up only 57 points. At the end of the first quarter, they were up 49-22 and in the second half, they scored 52 points on the way to the win. Texas Tech shot 55.4 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from behind the three-point line. Darrion Williams had a strong game putting up 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Texas Tech on the season is averaging 86.3 points while their defense is giving up 63.3 points per game. The offense is ranked 18th in the league while the defense is ranked 25th. They are shooting 51.6 percent from the field which is 3rd best in all of college basketball. Devin Cambridge, Christian Anderson, and JT Toppin are all questionable for this game. Guard Jazz Henderson is dealing with a lower-body injury and is out. Toppin has been the top player and is currently averaging 18.6 points per game, but not having him is a big loss for this team if he’s not able to go. Texas Tech will take on Utah after this game.
UCF vs Texas Tech Prediction
What Texas Tech has done with their offense has been special and even when Toppin has been out, this offense still has found a ton of success. Texas Tech is averaging 86.3 points per game and they are shooting 51.6 percent from the field. This UCF defense has been a major problem all season and they are giving up 74 points per game. Texas Tech is going to have no issue running up the score, and they are going to end up cruising to the victory. This is going to be a comfortable victory. Back Texas Tech against the spread.