UCF vs Colorado Prediction 1/8/25 College Basketball Picks Today
Colorado (9-4) vs. UCF (10-3)
January 8, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: UCF -5.5; Over/Under: 147
(Get latest betting odds)
The Colorado Buffaloes and UCF Knights meet Wednesday in college basketball action at the Addition Financial Arena. Here’s a UCF vs Colorado Prediction. This article will include a UCF vs Colorado Pick.
Colorado Buffaloes Betting Preview
The Colorado Buffaloes lost to Iowa State and Arizona State, and they play West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Oklahoma State next. The Colorado Buffaloes are averaging 74.9 points on 46.3 percent shooting and allowing 70.2 points on 42.1 percent shooting. Julian Hammond III is averaging 12.7 points and 2.3 rebounds, while Elijah Malone is averaging 11.2 points and 1.2 assists. Andrej Jakimovski is the third double-digit scorer and Trevor Baskin is grabbing 6.5 rebounds. The Colorado Buffaloes are shooting 34.6 percent from beyond the arc and 76.7 percent from the free throw line. The Colorado Buffaloes are allowing 31.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.2 rebounds per game.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
The UCF Knights beat Texas Tech, lost to Kansas, and they play Arizona, Arizona State, and Houston next. The UCF Knights are averaging 78.8 points on 42.2 percent shooting and allowing 76.7 points on 43.2 percent shooting. Keyshawn Hall is averaging 15.5 points and 2.2 assists, while Jordan Ivy-Curry is averaging 14.8 points and 3 rebounds. Darius Johnson is the third double-digit scorer and Moustapha Thiam is grabbing 4.8 rebounds. The UCF Knights are shooting 3.9 percent from beyond the arc and 77.5 percent from the free throw line. The UCF Knights are allowing 33.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.9 rebounds per game.
Why the UCF Knights will win
- UCF has won each of its last seven games at Addition Financial Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Colorado has lost five of its last six games against the Big 12 Conference.
- UCF has won the first half in each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Colorado Buffaloes will win
- Colorado has won each of its last seven night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UCF has lost five of its last six night games against the Big 12 Conference.
- Colorado has won the first half in four of its last five night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UCF’s last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at Addition Financial Arena have produced a total of 149+ points.
- Five of Colorado’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- UCF ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (18.8).
- UCF ranks 26th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (24.3).
- Colorado ranks T38th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.1).
- Colorado ranks 44th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (76.7%).
UCF vs Colorado Injury Report
The Colorado Buffaloes will be without Andrew Crawford. The UCF Knights will be without Cameron Simpson.
UCF vs Colorado Prediction
The Colorado Buffaloes have gotten rocked defensively in back-to-back games, and going on the road usually doesn’t fix those issues. Colorado has struggled a lot in the underdog role this season and hasn’t played many road games to be battle-tested. The UCF Knights have seen eight of their 10 wins this season come at home. UCF has also seen covers in four of its last six games. UCF plays with a quicker pace and scores a lot, which could be an issue for a Colorado defense that’s raising the struggle bus. I’ll lay the reasonable chalk with UCF at home.
