Wichita State vs South Florida Prediction 2/9/25 College Basketball Picks

The Wichita State Shockers and the South Florida Bulls meet Sunday in college basketball action from the USF Sun Dome. Here’s a Wichita State vs South Florida prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Wichita State vs South Florida pick. We will examine: 

The Wichita State Shockers’ recent form and player performance

The South Florida Bulls’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Wichita State Shockers

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the South Florida Bulls

Recent betting trends in games played between Wichita State and South Florida

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Wichita State vs South Florida game

Wichita State Shockers Betting Preview

Wichita State was looking good in early December, but they’ve faltered greatly since then in the record column. The Shockers opened on an 8-1 run with a lone loss to Florida mixed in during that time. A 2-5 stretch came next with wins over Kansas State and Friends University among losses to DePaul, Kansas City, Temple, South Florida, and UTSA. After a win over Charlotte on January 14, Wichita State lost to East Carolina, Memphis, Tulsa, and North Texas ahead of another win over Charlotte. So far that makes a 12-10 overall run through the first 22 games of the season for the Shockers. 

In the Charlotte game on Tuesday, the Shockers came out of the break with a slim 33-31 edge. Wichita State got better in the second half on a 33-27 advantage and powered out the road victory 66-58 in the end. Leading the team in scoring was Corey Washington with his 21 points, 10 rebounds, and one steal in 33 minutes of work. Quincy Ballard added a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds alongside a pair of blocks in 31 minutes. 

South Florida Bulls Betting Preview

Over on the Bulls’ side, they’ve been a mixed bag this year but so far have kept their record above water. South Florida beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, West Georgia, Portland, Wright State, and Stetson in their first eight outings. Losses to Loyola Chicago, Utah State, and Bethune-Cookman followed, then wins over East Texas A&M, Webber International, East Carolina, and Wichita State. It’s been a 3-5 stretch since then with wins over Tulsa, Rice, and Temple mixed with losses to Tulane, UAB, Charlotte, East Carolina, and Florida Atlantic. That gives South Florida a 12-11 overall record through their first 23 games of the 2024-25 campaign. 

Matched up against Temple in the Thursday outing, the Bulls came out of the break with a 44-39 edge but gave it away in the second half on a 40-35 deficit. Following a pair of overtime periods, the Bulls emerged victorious 100-91 in the end. Tops on the team in scoring was Jamille Reynolds, who came off the bench to provide 25 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Leading starter Kobe Knox had 17 points with six rebounds and four assists. 

Why the South Florida Bulls will win

• South Florida has won each of its last 11 day games at Yuengling Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Wichita State has lost eight of its last 10 games against Conference opponents.
• Wichita State has lost the first half in each of its last three day games against Conference opponents.

Why the Wichita State Shockers will win

• Wichita State has won three of its last four games at Yuengling Center.
• South Florida has lost three of its last four day games against the American Athletic Conference.

Wichita State vs South Florida Prediction 

I’ll stay with the Bulls here. South Florida is coming off a hard-fought home win over Temple in their last game, shooting a nice 50.7 percent from the field with a 52-49 rebounding edge. The 13 turnovers for 14 Owls points didn’t help, but the win is what matters in the end. That gives the Bulls 69 or more points in three straight games—a 2-1 run. 

Back on January 6 in the latest meeting between these teams, the Bulls pulled off a 91-72 road victory. USF shot great in that one (56.9 percent) with just nine turnovers, but did get out-rebounded 36-28 overall and 13-3 on the offensive glass. If the Bulls can keep that shooting percentage up in the home rematch though, they should be fine.