Central Florida Knights vs BYU Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/24/2026

Game Time: 11:00 pm ET, Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Venue:  J. Willard Marriott Center (MC), Provo, UT

Where to Watch:  ESPN2

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UCF +10.5, BYU -10.5; Over/Under:  164.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  UCF +10.5, BYU -10.5; Over/Under:  164.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UCF +10.5, BYU -10.5; Over/Under:  164.5 points

Central Florida Knights:  19-7 (8-6) (7th place, Big 12)

BYU Cougars:  20-7 (8-6) (6th place, Big 12)

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Central Florida Knights:  2-3  last 5

BYU Cougars:  3-2  last 5

UCF is entering this game with a 19-7 record overall, an 8-6 record in conference games, and they are 4-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Utah Utes in their last game. Themus Fulks led the team in points in that game with 24 while Jordan Burks was next on the team with 14. Chris Johnson led the team in assists with 5 in that game while John Bol led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 52.6% from the field, 43.8% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 81.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 77.2 PPG against them. UCF has an ATS record of 13-13 this season and their O/U record is 10-16.

BYU is entering this game with a 20-7 record overall, an 8-6 conference record, and they are 11-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Iowa State Cyclones in their last game. AJ Dybantsa led the team in points in that game with 29 while Kennard Davis Jr. was next on the team with 17. AJ Dybantsa led the team in assists with 9 in that game while AJ Dybantsa and Khadim Mboup each led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 50% from the field, 28% from 3-point range, and 70% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 74.3 PPG against them. BYU has an ATS record of 12-15 this season and their O/U record is 13-14.

The current betting odds have BYU listed as a 10.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. BYU has looked good in their games this season with their 20-7 record overall and their 8-6 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big 12. They have looked great on their home court too with their 11-2 home record this season. Meanwhile, UCF has looked good in their games this season with their 19-7 record overall and their 8-6 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big 12. They haven't been a great road team though with their 4-4 road record this year. UCF has been a solid team in the Big 12 this season, but they have been beating up on a lot of bad opponents while struggling against the ones at the top of the conference. They have picked up some nice wins at home this year and have been able to compete with some top teams at home, but they have looked like a different team in some of their road games and haven't even been competitive. They are off a win over Utah in their last one, but Utah is one of the worst teams in the Big 12 this year and UCF is still 2-3 in their last 5 games as they haven't looked great lately. BYU has also had a lot of trouble against the top teams in the conference when they were supposed to be a threat to win the Big 12, but they have looked better lately as they are 3-2 in their last 5 games and they still have one of the best players in the nation on their team too. They are off a big home win over Iowa State in their last one too so that win is going to give them a lot of momentum here and they should be able to take care of a UCF team that has struggled more in road games all year. The best way to place a bet here is on BYU to cover the spread in this game. 

Central Florida BYU Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Tuesday, February 24, 2026 (11:00 pm ET start time) is BYU 87 UCF 67.

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Central Florida Knights: 28-22 ATS as an underdog. 15-9 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 8-3 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 6-1 UNDER off a road win against a conference rival. 

BYU Cougars: 2-6 ATS in a home game where the total is 160 to 169.5. 4-7 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 1-5 ATS versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game. 6-2 UNDER as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points. 9-5 UNDER versus good 3 point shooting teams - making 37% of their attempts or more.

Central Florida Knights:  R. Kugel (G) Questionable - Undisclosed. T. Jones (G) Questionable - Undisclosed.

BYU Cougars:  R. Saunders (G) Out - Knee. X. Staton (C) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. Perry (G) Out - Redshirt. D. Baker (G) Out - Knee. N. Pickens (G) Out - Undisclosed. B. Kozlowski (F) Out - Redshirt.

"That's important for us. I thought, you know, we did a good job in that area, you know, gaining some points. We have found ways we can, you know, we can have success. Everybody has a style of play or a system, and that's part of our system." - Johnny Dawkins Jr after his team’s win against Utah in their last game. 

"I have to say, the ROC is special. It really is. That was the loudest I've personally ever heard this building. It was unbelievable. They do so much for our guys. Commissioner Yormark was here. I believe it was his first time in the building and I said, 'Buckle up buddy, get ready.' And they delivered in a major way." - Kevin Young after his team’s win against ISU in their last game. 

J. Bol 

J. Burks 

T. Fulks 

R. Kugel 

J. Stillwell

K. Davis 

A. Dybantsa 

K. Keita 

R. Saunders 

R. Wright

PPG: Riley Kugel (14)

APG: Themus Fulks (6.7)

Reb/G: Jamichael Stillwell (7.8)

PPG: AJ Dybantsa (24.9)

APG: Robert Wright III (4.8)

Reb/G: Keba Keita (7.1)

Coaches:

Central Florida Knights: Johnny Dawkins Jr (10th season)

BYU Cougars: Kevin Young (2nd season)