Central Florida Knights (12-6) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (13-6)
January 27, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Cincinnati Bearcats -6.5; Over/Under: +137
(Get latest betting odds)
The UCF Knights will play the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Big 12 game on Saturday night at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. UCF has alternated wins and losses over their last seven games, while Cincinnati has lost four of their last five games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the UCF vs Cincinnati prediction.
UCF Preview
The UCF Knights are 12-6 (3-3) this season after they defeated West Virginia by a score of 72-59 in their last game. UCF led 37-24 at the half and they were able to score 35 points in the second half in the win. The Knights shot 37.3% from the field and were +11 in rebounding margin in the game. UCF lost to Houston by a score of 57-42 in the game prior to West Virginia, but did beat Texas before that. The Knights are scoring 72.7 points per game with 40.1 rebounds per game and 12.1 assists per game, while allowing 64.3 points against per game this year. Jaylin Sellers is averaging 17.1 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and 1.3 steals per game. UCF is shooting 41.3% from the field, 70.4% on free throws, and 30.9% on three pointers this season.
Cincinnati Preview
The Cincinnati Bearcats are 13-6 (2-4) this year after they lost to Kansas by a score of 74-69 in their last game. Cincinnati was tied at 35 at halftime, but they allowed 39 points in the second half in the loss. The Bearcats shot 39.3% from the field and were +11 in rebounding margin in the game. Cincinnati lost to Oklahoma by a score of 69-65 in the game prior to Kansas, but did beat TCU before that. The Bearcats are scoring 78.2 points per game with 41.6 rebounds per game and 16 assists per game, while giving up 66.9 points against per game this season. Viktor Lakhin is averaging 12.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game. Cincinnati is shooting 45% from the field, 67.6% on free throws, and 33.5% on three pointers this year.
UCF vs Cincinnati Betting Prediction
Cincinnati comes into this game with the home court advantage, but they have lost four of their last five games. The Bearcats are scoring 78 points per game and they are shooting 45% from the field, while UCF is only shooting 41.3% from the field. The Knights have been inconsistent this season, but they did pick up a road win against Texas a few games ago. Cincinnati has the worse conference record here, but they have also played a very difficult schedule in their last five games. I think the Bearcats are better than their record indicates and I like them to get the win, but I think UCF will be able to keep this game close.
