Utah (16-15) vs UCF (16-15)
Game Info: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 9:30 pm (T-Mobile Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Utah +0.0001 — Over/Under: 0.0001
The UCF Knights and Utah Utes meet on Tuesday in college basketball action at T-Mobile Center. Here’s a UCF vs Utah prediction. This article will include a UCF vs Utah Pick.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
The UCF Knights (16-15, 14-17 ATS) experienced their toughest stretch of the season when they suffered seven consecutive defeats from late January to mid-February. The Knights responded with a couple of wins over Utah and Kansas State and ended the regular season with losses to TCU and West Virginia and a win over Oklahoma State. UCF finished in 13th position in the Big 12 Standings with the same conference record as Cincinnati and Oklahoma State.
UCF averages 78.6 PPG (69th) and allows 79.8 PPG (346th). The Knights are 115th in rebounds (36.8) and 182nd in assists (14.0). Keyshawn Hall leads the team with 18.5 PPG, a team-high 7.1 RPG, and 2.4 APG. Darius Johnson follows him with 16.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, a team-high 4.2 APG, and a team-high 2.4 SPG, while Jordan Ivy-Curry chips in 12.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.4 SPG.
Utah Utes Betting Preview
The Utah Utes (16-15, 15-16 ATS) didn’t have the best of the last couple of weeks as they concluded the regular season with four losses in five games. The Utes lost to UCF, Arizona, West Virginia, and BYU, while they beat Arizona State. Since the opening day of the season when Utah scored 100 points against Alcorn State, 99 points against the Sun Devils were the most we’ve seen from the Utes. Utah will enter the conference tournament as the No. 11 seed.
Utah is averaging 75.4 PPG (144th) and is allowing 71.7 PPG (174th). The Utes are getting 39.8 RPG (20th) and dish out 17.5 APG (13th). Gabe Madsen is the team’s top performer with 15.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 2.5 APG. Ezra Ausar has 12.4 PPG and 5.0 RPG, while Lawson Lovering contributes 8.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 2.8 APG.
Why UCF will beat Utah
- Utah has lost each of its last four games played at neutral venues.
- UCF has won four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- UCF has won the first half in each of its last three games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Why Utah will beat UCF
- UCF has lost nine of its last 12 games against the Big 12 Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of UCF’s last nine Conference Tournament night games have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
- Thirteen of Utah’s last 15 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Utah ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (39.8).
- Utah ranks 40th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (53.6%).
- UCF ranks T22nd among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (62.6).
- UCF ranks 23rd among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (77.9%).
UCF vs Utah Prediction
UCF won the first H2H meeting of the season when it was 76-72, and the Knights barely covered a -3.5 spread. That game produced 148 points, and I expect a similar scenario in this one, around 150 points. UCF could be without Ivy-Curry, who is the third-best scorer. He missed the last couple of games, and if he’s out, the Knights will be limited on offense. Utah has hit the Game Total Under in 20 of its last 37 games. In my opinion, Utah is closer to the second round, but I will opt for Under instead of backing the Utes.