College Basketball Picks

Texas Tech vs Central Florida Prediction 12-31-24 College Basketball Picks

Central Florida (9-2) vs. Texas Tech (9-2)
December 31, 2024 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Texas Tech -13; Over/Under: +147.5
(Get latest betting odds)

The UCF Knights and the Texas Tech Red Raiders meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the United Supermarkets Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Texas Tech vs Central Florida Prediction.

Head-To-Head History

These teams have faced off just twice since UCF joined the Big 12 last season and while the head-to-head series is 1-1, with both teams claiming a win at home, UCF is 2-0 ATS in the head-to-head matchups.


UCF Recap

The UCF Knights come into this game looking to build on an 86-66 win over Jacksonville last time out. After this game, UCF will head home for a marquee conference matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Knights Win 5th In A Row

Jordan Ivy-Curry has leads UCF in scoring, averaging 16.3 PPG, 3.5 APG, and 2.8 APG while Keyshawn Hall has 15.2 PPG with a team-high 6.5 RPG to lead the Knights in rebounding so far this season. Darius Johnson has 14.7 PPG with 3.8 RPG and a team-high 4.5 APG to lead the Knights in the assist department and to round out the group of double-digit scorers for UCF so far this season. As a team, UCF is averaging 80.8 PPG on 43.5% shooting from the field, 34.2% from three, and 77.2% from the foul line this season.

Why the UCF Knights will win

  • UCF has won eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Texas Tech Recap

The Texas Tech Red Raiders come into this game looking to add to their 101-57 win over Lamar last time out. After this game, Texas Tech will head on the road for the first time in conference play to take on the Utah Utes.

Red Raiders Win Back-To-Back Games

JT Toppin leads the Red Raiders in scoring and rebounding with 18.6 PPG and 11 RPG while Darrion Williams has 16.5 PPG with 5.7 RPG and 5.2 APG up to this point in the year. Chance McMillian has 16.4 PPG with 4 RPG and Kevin Overton has 11.4 PPG and 4.2 RPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Texas Tech so far this season. Elijah Hawkins also has a team-high 5.4 APG and 2 SPG as well so far this season. As a team, Texas Tech is averaging 86.3 PPG on 51.7% shooting from the field, 40.4% from three, and 79.4% from the foul line this season.

Why the Texas Tech Red Raiders will win

  • Texas Tech has won each of its last nine games at United Supermarkets Arena.

Total Points Facts

  • Each of Texas Tech’s last five Tuesday home games against the Big 12 Conference has produced a total of 147+ points.
  • Seven of UCF’s last nine games have produced a total of 149+ points.

Texas Tech vs Central Florida Prediction

I’m on Texas Tech here. This just is not an ideal spot for UCF, making their first road start of the year in an environment in Lubbock which is the toughest road environment in the country. You could maybe call into question the level of competition that Texas Tech has had at home up to this point in the year, but the Red Raiders just have a knack of year after year, taking teams down at home and having opponents crumble. UCF isn’t a high-scoring team by any means and I’ve still had trouble buying into UCF despite their schedule giving them a lot of favorable spots at home up to this point. Give me Texas Tech laying the points here.

Chris Ruffolo's Free Pick: Texas Tech -13

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Chris Ruffolo

Chris joined the Sports Chat Place team in August 2016 and has a proven system that combines multiple analytical and situational statistics and trends to give out thousands of winning picks over the last three years with winning records across all of the top leagues, Follow Chris Ruffolo on Twitter @ruffthepickdawg

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