UCF Golden Knights betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

UCF at Cincinnati odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UCF at Cincinnati odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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.

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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.

Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!

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)

Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico

Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!

In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.

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.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]

UCF at Houston odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UCF at Houston odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The UCF Golden Knights (10-3, 1-0 AAC) battle the No. 3 Houston Cougars (13-1, 1-0) at Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston Saturday. Tip is set for 2 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the UCF vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The Cougars beat Tulsa 89-50 Wednesday, covering a 20-point spread as road favorites. Houston is 10-4 against the spread (ATS) this season. They are 8-1 at home and 3-0 on the road as well as 2-0 on neutral courts. Houston ranks No. 1 in opponents’ points per game (49.9) and opponents’ field goal percentage (32.8%).

UCF, on the other hand, beat Wichita State 52-45 Wednesday, pushing as 7-point home favorites. The Golden Knights are 2-2-1 ATS over their last 5 games and 7-5-1 ATS on the season. Their strength is also defensive, ranking 16th in opponents’ points per game (59.6) and 30th in opponents’ field goal percentage (38.8%).

Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

UCF at Houston odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): UCF +700 (bet $100 to win $700) | Houston -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): UCF +15.5 (-110) | Houston -15.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 119.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

UCF at Houston picks and predictions

Prediction

Houston 64, UCF 54

Moneyline

PASS.

Houston is the far better team, but it is unplayable here. UCF, considering it lost to No. 16 Miami by 2, could be worth a look at (+700), but I would ultimately prefer to play it plus the points.

Against the spread

BET UCF +15.5 (-110).

UCF is being underrated by the market here. The Golden Knights have 3 losses, but those were to two Power 5 programs (Miami and Missouri) and then their first game of the season against UNC Asheville in overtime. Every loss was by 3 or less as well.

They have 4 players that average double figures and should have versatility in their scoring, at least enough to score on Houston at a competent rate. As for Houston, the only game it was a favorite of 10-19, it failed to cover, winning as 19-point favorites against Kent State (49-44) Nov. 26.

Ultimately, given what UCF has shown this season, back UCF +15.5 (-110).

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 119.5 (-115).

Houston has gone 2-4-1 O/U in its last 7 games. Its defense is the real deal, and while I expect UCF to be able to score, the Under should still be the better play.

Houston is 4-9-1 O/U while UCF is 5-8 O/U this season. UCF is 4-6 O/U this season and 1-2 O/U in its last 3 games.

Back the UNDER 119.5 (-115).