Kansas (10-3) vs. UCF (11-1)
January 3, 2026 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: UCF +4.5; Over/Under: 153.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Kansas Jayhawks and UCF Knights meet Saturday in the college basketball action at the Addition Financial Arena. Here’s a UCF vs Kansas Prediction. This article will include a UCF vs Kansas Pick.
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
The Kansas Jayhawks beat Towson and Davidson, and they play TCU next. Kansas has won 7 of its last 8 games.
The Kansas Jayhawks are averaging 75.9 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 63.4 points on 36.6 percent shooting. Darryn Peterson is averaging 19.3 points and 3.8 rebounds, while Flory Bidunga is averaging 14.7 points and 9.2 rebounds. Tre White is the third double-digit scorer and Melvin Council Jr. is dishing 5.2 assists. The Kansas Jayhawks are shooting 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 74.8 percent from the free throw line. The Kansas Jayhawks are allowing 25.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.8 rebounds per game.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
The UCF Knights beat Florida Gulf Coast and FAU, and they play Oklahoma State next. UCF has won 10 straight games.
The UCF Knights are averaging 88.3 points on 49.6 percent shooting and allowing 75 points on 42.4 percent shooting. Jordan Burks is averaging 13.8 points and 0.7 assists, while Riley Kugel is averaging 13.7 points and 2.9 rebounds. Themus Fulks is the third double-digit scorer and Jamichael Stillwell is grabbing 8.8 rebounds. The UCF Knights are shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc and 74 percent from the free throw line. The UCF Knights are allowing 33.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.8 rebounds per game.
Why the UCF Knights will win
- UCF has won each of its last 10 games.
- Kansas has lost four of its last five road games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
- UCF has won the first half in each of its last four home day games against Conference opponents.
Why the Kansas Jayhawks will win
- Kansas has won each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UCF has lost each of its last six games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Kansas has won the first half in eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UCF’s last 22 games against AP-ranked opponents at Addition Financial Arena have produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
- Each of Kansas’ last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- UCF has recorded the equal-longest winning streak among Division 1 teams this season (10 games).
- UCF has recorded the equal-longest home winning streak among Division 1 teams this season (8 games).
- Kansas ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (25.2%).
- Kansas ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (36.6%).
UCF vs Kansas Prediction
Kansas is going to be favored for obvious reasons, but we’ve seen the Jayhawks get tripped up a few times already and the offense comes and goes. No, UCF isn’t UConn or Duke, but the Knights still play with effort defensively and have an offense with some bark. If those shots are falling early, UCF can settle in this game and make things interesting. We know Orlando will be jumping for this one, a place where UCF is 8-1 SU on the season. This is a good UCF team I wouldn’t sleep on. Upset potential here. Give me the points.
