UCF (13-13) vs Utah (15-11)
February 23, 2025 at 04:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: UCF -3.5 — Over/Under: 159.5
The Utah Utes are visiting the UCF Knights on Sunday, February 23rd 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 Utah Utes vs UCF Knights Prediction. We will examine:
The UCF Knights’ recent form and player performance
The Utah Utes’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UCF Knights
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Utah Utes
Recent betting trends in games played between the Utah Utes and UCF Knights
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Utah Utes vs UCF Knights game
UCF Knights Preview
The UCF Knights have a 13-13 record this season and are sitting in 14th place in the Big 12. UCF is coming off a 95-104 loss to Oklahoma State. The Knights are 11-15 against the spread, and 15-9-2 in over/under, while having a 10-5 home record.
Offensively, UCF is averaging 79 points per game, which is 58th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 80.6 points per game (351st). The Knights shoot 42.1% from the field (322nd) and 33.8% from beyond the arc (192nd). The Knights shoot with 77.8% from the free-throw line (19th) and are grabbing 36.2 rebounds per game (136th).
Keyshawn Hall leads UCF in scoring with an average of 19.1 points and a team-high 7 rebounds, while Darius Johnson adds 15.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and a team-high 4.2 assists per game.
Utah Utes Preview
The Utah Utes have a 15-11 record this season and are sitting in 10th place in the Big 12. Utah is coming off a 74-69 win over Kansas State. The Utes are 13-13 against the spread, and 10-16 in over/under, while having a 1-6 road record.
Offensively, Utah is averaging 75.3 points per game, which ranks 143rd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 70.6 points per game (139th). The Utes shoot 45.2% from the field (160th) and 33.2% from beyond the arc (227th). The Utes shoot 62.7% from the free-throw line (361st) and are grabbing 39.7 rebounds per game, which is the 21st-best in the nation.
Gabe Madsen leads Utah in scoring, with an average of 15.5 points per game, while Ezra Ausar adds 11.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Why the UCF Knights will win
- The home team has won each of Utah’s last seven games.
- Utah has lost seven of its last eight day games.
- Utah has lost the first half in each of its last four road games against the Big 12 Conference.
Why the Utah Utes will win
- UCF has lost each of its last seven games.
- UCF has lost the first half in each of its last five games against the Big 12 Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UCF’s last 13 day games at Addition Financial Arena has produced a total of 156 or fewer points.
- Fourteen of Utah’s last 15 games have produced a total of 158 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- UCF ranks 11th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (17.7).
- UCF ranks 18th among Division 1 teams for pace this season (71.9).
- Utah ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (62.7%).
- Utah ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.9).
Utah Utes vs UCF Knights Prediction
In their only previous meeting back in 2006, UCF won 67-61 on the road, covering the spread. In this Utah Utes vs UCF Knights Prediction, UCF is coming as a -3.5 home favorites. Utah is rightfully favored, as they have a better record this season, but they have been absolutely horrible on the road, as they have just one win in their seven road games. On the other hand, UCF has been very strong at home but is struggling mightily lately, with a 1-9 record in their last 10 games and 0-6 against the spread in their last 6. Utah has failed to cover their last four games on the road, so I don’t have either side in this matchup. Both teams have been playing some lower-scoring games lately, as they are 10-3 to the under in their last 13 games combined. I expect another low-scoring grind between two offenses that have been struggling lately, so give me the under.