
UCF vs Houston Prediction 1/18/25 College Basketball Picks Today
Houston (13-3) vs. UCF (12-4)
January 18, 2025 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: UCF +13.5; Over/Under: 138.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a UCF vs Houston prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, January 18th at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
The UCF Knights are 12-4 (3-2) this season after they defeated Arizona State by a score of 95-89 in their last game. UCF led 49-47 at halftime and added 46 points in the second half for the win. The Knights shot 50.8% from the field, 46.2% on three pointers, and 81% on free throws in the game. Keyshawn Hall led UCF with 40 points and seven rebounds, while Darius Johnson added 17 points and seven assists in the game.
Prior to that win, the Knights lost to Arizona by a score of 88-80, but did beat Colorado by a score of 75-74 before that. UCF has alternated wins and losses over their last five games, but they have won eight of their last ten. UCF has scored 79.6 points per game and they have allowed 77.9 points against per game, while also averaging 37.4 rebounds and 14.9 assists per game this year. Keyshawn Hall is averaging 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, while Darius Johnson is averaging 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this season. UCF is shooting 42.3% from the field, 77.2% on free throws, and 33.8% on three pointers this year.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Houston Cougars are 13-3 (5-0) this year after they defeated West Virginia by a score of 70-54 in their last game. Houston led 40-27 at halftime and they held WVU to 27 points in the second half for the double-digit win. The Cougars shot 49% from the field, 42.3% on three pointers, and 75% on free throws in the game. J’Wan Roberts led Houston with 22 points and three rebounds, while LJ Cryer added 18 points and two assists in the game.
Prior to that win, the Cougars defeated Kansas State by a score of 87-57 and TCU by a score of 65-46. Houston has won nine games in a row and their only losses this year have been against Auburn, Alabama, and San Diego State. Houston has scored 76.6 points per game and they have allowed 54.2 points against per game, while also averaging 38 rebounds and 13.4 assists per game this season. LJ Cryer is averaging 14.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, while Emanuel Sharp is averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game this season. Houston is shooting 46.2% from the field, 74% on free throws, and 41.5% on three pointers this year.
Why Houston will beat UCF
- Houston has won 25 of its last 26 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UCF has lost nine of its last 10 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
- Houston has won the first half in each of its last 17 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
UCF vs Houston Prediction
Houston comes into this matchup undefeated in conference play and they are ranked #10 in the country, but they will be on the road for this game. The Cougars aren’t elite offensively, but their defense is allowing just 54.2 points against per game this year. Houston has allowed 55 points or fewer in four of their last five games. UCF is only shooting 42.3% from the field, but they are scoring nearly 80 points per game this year. The Knights have had plenty of issues on defense this season and they have allowed 88 points or more in three of their last four games. The home court advantage is definitely going to help UCF, but I don’t trust them going up against an elite defense like Houston’s. Take the Cougars on the road here.