Kansas Jayhawks vs UCF Knights NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/5/25

Looking to win big? The Jayhawks and Knights face off at 4:00 ET on ESPN+. The Knights are hosting the game at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, FL. Kansas is favored by -5.5 in this Big 12 conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 148.5 points.

KANSAS JAYHAWKS VS UCF KNIGHTS BETTING PICK

The Pick: UCF Knights +5.5

This game will be played at Addition Financial Arena at 4:00 ET on Sunday, January 5th.

WHY BET THE UCF KNIGHTS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-68 in favor of the Knights.
• Not only will UCF pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +5.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 148.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 145 points.

Can Kansas Secure a Road Victory?

Kansas fell to 9-3 on the season after a narrow 62-61 home loss to West Virginia on Tuesday. The Jayhawks entered the game as -13.5 favorites but failed to cover the spread, and the combined 123 points fell short of the 141.5 O/U line.

After trailing 33-20 at halftime, Kansas mounted a comeback, outscoring West Virginia 41-29 in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Kansas struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 38.8% from the field and 25% from three-point range, hitting 4 of 16 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.9%, but they excelled at the free-throw line, making 19 of 21 shots for a 90.5% rate.

Zeke Mayo led the team with 27 points, shooting 46.2% overall and 28.6% from beyond the arc. Eduardo Andre was efficient, hitting 7 of 9 shots for 15 points, while Javon Small contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds, despite missing all 6 of his three-point attempts.

Despite giving up 19 free throws, Kansas held their opponent to just 62 points on 38% shooting. The Jayhawks limited damage from beyond the arc, with their opponent hitting only 4 of 16 threes (25%).

Inside, Kansas allowed 15 two-point baskets on 33 attempts (45%). They also gave up 7 offensive rebounds in the game.

Will the Knights Win at Home?

UCF improved to 10-2 on the season with an 87-83 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday. The Knights pulled off the upset as +13.5 point underdogs and covered the spread.

UCF led 47-41 at halftime and scored 40 points in the 2nd half while allowing 42. The game’s total points of 170 exceeded the O/U line of 146.5.

UCF’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 87 points while shooting 51.8% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 60.7%, thanks in part to their 43.5% shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 23 attempts. At the free-throw line, the Knights were nearly automatic, converting 19 of 22 for an 86.4% rate.

JT Toppin led the way with 26 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 57.9% from the floor. Darius Johnson added 24 points, hitting 70% of his shots, including 2 of 3 from deep. Keyshawn Hall was perfect from three, going 4 for 4, and finished with 22 points on 69.2% shooting overall.

UCF’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 83 points on 45% shooting from the field. The Knights allowed 53% shooting on two-point attempts, with their opponents hitting 30 of 56 shots inside the arc.

From beyond the three-point line, UCF held their opponents to just 18% shooting, as they made only 3 of 16 attempts. However, UCF sent them to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 14 free throws at a 77% rate. The Knights also allowed 17 offensive rebounds.