UCF (16-15) vs. Utah (16-15)
March 11, 2025 9:30 pm EDT
The Line: Utah -1.5; Over/Under: 156.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Utah vs UCF prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, March 11th at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.
Utah Utes Betting Preview
The Utah Utes are 16-15 (8-12) this year after they lost to BYU by a score of 85-74 in their last game. Utah trailed 34-30 at halftime and they allowed 51 points in the second half in the loss. The Utes shot 34.7% from the field, 32.4% on three-pointers, and 63.2% on free throws in the game. Miro Little led Utah with 21 points and four rebounds, while Ezra Ausar added 12 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Utes lost to West Virginia by a score of 71-69 but did beat Arizona State by a score of 99-73 before that. Utah has lost four of their last five games and they finished 11th in the Big 12 standings with an 8-12 record. Utah has scored 75.4 points per game and they have allowed 71.7 points per game, while also averaging 39.8 rebounds and 17.5 assists per game this season. Gabe Madsen is averaging 15.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, while Ezra Ausar is averaging 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game this year. Utah is shooting 44.7% from the field, 64% on free throws, and 33.2% on three-pointers this season.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
The UCF Knights are 16-15 (7-13) this season after they lost to West Virginia by a score of 72-65 in their last game. UCF trailed 47-25 at halftime, but they did outscore WVU by a total of 40-25 in the second half of the loss. The Knights shot 39% from the field, 32% on three-pointers, and 64.7% on free throws in the game. Darius Johnson led UCF with 27 points and five rebounds, while Moustapha Thiam added 13 points and seven rebounds in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Knights defeated Oklahoma State by a score of 83-70 but did lose to TCU by a score of 89-78 before that. UCF has won three of their last five games and they finished tied for 12th in the Big 12 standings with a 7-13 record. UCF has scored 78.6 points per game and they have allowed 79.8 points per game, while also averaging 36.8 rebounds and 14.0 assists per game this season. Keyshawn Hall is averaging 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, while Darius Johnson is averaging 16.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this year. UCF is shooting 42% from the field, 77.9% on free throws, and 33% on three-pointers this season.
Why UCF will beat Utah
- Utah has lost seven of its last eight Conference Tournament night games.
- UCF has won four of its last five night games played at neutral venues.
- Utah has lost the first half in each of its last five games against the Big 12 Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Nineteen of UCF’s last 21 night games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
- Eight of Utah’s last nine night games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Utah ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.5).
- Utah ranks 357th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (64.0%).
- UCF ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (17.5).
- UCF ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for pace this season (71.8).
Utah vs UCF Prediction
Utah comes into this contest with a slightly better conference record than UCF, but they have lost four of their last five games. The Utes are shooting 44.7% from the field this year, but their defense has allowed at least 76 points in three of their last five games. UCF struggled for most of the conference season, but they have won three of their last five games and they have scored at least 76 points in four of their last five. The Knights are only shooting 42% from the field this year, but they do have a 76-72 win over Utah just a couple of weeks ago. I really don’t like how Utah ended the season and I think UCF is going to get another win over the Utes here.
