Kansas Jayhawks vs UCF Knights NCAAB Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/3

The Kansas Jayhawks, ranked #17, will take on the UCF Knights in a Big 12 conference game. This game is set for Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. The game will take place at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, FL, and will be televised on PEAC.

Kansas enters the game as the favorite with a spread of -4.5. Their record stands at 10-3, showing strong performance both at home and on the road. UCF, the underdog with a spread of +4.5, boasts an impressive 11-1 record. Both teams are part of the Big 12, making this a significant conference game.

Kansas Jayhawks vs UCF Knights Game Day Info

  • Sport: College Basketball
  • Teams: Kansas Jayhawks vs UCF Knights
  • Venue: Addition Financial Arena, Orlando FL
  • Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
  • Betting Odds: Kansas Jayhawks Spread -4.5 (-109), UCF Knights Spread +4.5 (-116), Kansas Jayhawks MoneyLine -190, UCF Knights MoneyLine +153, Over/Under 153.5 (-112)

Kansas Jayhawks Team Preview

The Kansas Jayhawks have been strong this season, holding a 10-3 record. They are ranked 17th in the AP poll and play in the Big 12 Conference. On the road, they have been impressive with a 5-1 record.

In recent games, the Jayhawks showed their skills with a big 90-61 win against Davidson. Key players like Flory Bidunga and Tre White stood out with 18 points each. Melvin Council Jr. also contributed with 10 points and 9 assists.

Their season stats show they average 75.8 points per game. They are strong in rebounding, averaging 40.2 per game. However, their steals per game are low at 5.4, ranking them 330th.

UCF Knights Team Preview

The UCF Knights have been strong at home this season with an 11-1 record. Their recent games show wins against Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, and Mercer. The team has been efficient, with a field goal percentage of 49.6% for the season.

Offensively, the Knights are averaging 88.3 points per game. They excel in three-point shooting, with a percentage of 39.8%. Players like Themus Fulks and Riley Kugel are key contributors, with both averaging over 13 points per game.

Defensively, the Knights struggle with steals and blocks, ranking low in both categories. However, they manage to keep their turnovers to an average of 11.7 per game. Despite these challenges, the team remains competitive, thanks to their scoring ability and strong home performance.

BTB Betting Pick

For the spread pick, Kansas is favored by 4.5 points with a line of -109. Kansas scores 75.8 points per game, while UCF scores 88.3 points per game. Despite Kansas being the favorite, UCF’s higher scoring average and better shooting percentages suggest they can cover the spread. Therefore, the pick is UCF +4.5.

For the over/under pick, the line is set at 153.5 points. Combining Kansas’s 75.8 points per game with UCF’s 88.3 points per game gives a projected total of 164.1 points. This is above the line, suggesting that the game could exceed the total. Thus, the pick is over 153.5.