The UCF Golden Knights (13-8, 4-5 AAC) battle the Cincinnati Bearcats (15-8, 6-4) Saturday. Tip from Fifth Third Arena is set for noon ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the UCF vs. Cincinnati odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
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This will be the first of 2 games between the programs with the other coming in Florida Feb. 19.
Cincinnati is coming off an 81-55 home win over Tulsa Wednesday, covering as a 15.5-point favorite. The Bearcats have covered 3 of their last 4 and 6 of their last 10. They are 15-7 against the spread (ATS) this season.
UCF, on the other hand, is 10-10-1 ATS this season. It has failed to cover 4 straight games yet is 3-6-1 ATS over its last 10. The Golden Knights are coming off a 77-70 overtime loss to Temple Saturday, failing to cover as a 5-point home favorite.
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UCF at Cincinnati odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): UCF +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Cincinnati -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): UCF +5.5 (-115) | Cincinnati -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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UCF at Cincinnati picks and predictions
Prediction
Cincinnati 74, UCF 66
Moneyline
PASS.
Cincinnati is 11-3 at home and is priced accordingly. Avoid the moneyline.
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Against the spread
BET CINCINNATI -5.5 (-105).
The Bearcats are an AAC-best 10-3 ATS at home this season. Similarly, UCF is just 2-3 ATS on the road. So in this situation, Cincinnati is the better play.
UCF has also hit a cold spell, failing to cover 4 in a row. UCF is just 3-5-1 ATS against conference opponents as well while Cincinnati is 6-4 ATS against AAC sides.
That said, back CINCINNATI -5.5 (-105).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 137.5 (-110).
The Bearcats have alternated going Over and Under the projected total in their last 5 games with it being time for the Over to hit.
On the other side, UCF has gone Over in 4 straight games. So it has found its rhythm offensively. UCF is 6-2-1 O/U in conference games as well and has pushed the pace in AAC play.
Back the OVER 137.5 (-110).
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