UCF Knights vs Kansas Jayhawks Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/28/2025

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Venue:  Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS 

Where to Watch:  ESPN+

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UCF +14, Kansas -14; Over/Under:  152.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  UCF +14, Kansas -14; Over/Under:  152.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UCF +14, Kansas -14; Over/Under:  152.5 points

UCF Knights:  13-6 (4-4) (8th place, Big 12)

Kansas Jayhawks:  14-5 (5-3) (5th place, Big 12)

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UCF Knights:  2-3  last 5

Kansas Jayhawks:  3-2  last 5

UCF is entering this game with a 13-6 record overall, a 4-4 record in conference games, and they are 2-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the TCU Horned Frogs in their last game. Keyshawn Hall led the team in points per game in that game with 26 while Moustapha Thiam was next on the team with 16. Darius Johnson led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Keyshawn Hall and Dallan Coleman each led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 45% from the field, 41.9% from 3-point range, and 81.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 79.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 78 PPG against them. UCF has an ATS record of 10-9 this season and their O/U record is 12-7.

Kansas is entering this game with a 14-5 record overall, a 5-3 conference record, and they are 9-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Houston Cougars in their last game. Flory Bidunga led the team in points in that game with 19 while Hunter Dickinson and Rylan Griffen each were next on the team with 17. Dajuan Harris Jr. led the team in assists with 12 in that game while Zeke Mayo led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 45.5% from the field, 36% from 3-point range, and 56.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 64.8 PPG against them. Kansas has an ATS record of 10-9 this season and their O/U record is 3-16.

The current betting odds have Kansas listed as a 14 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Kansas has looked really good in their games this season with their 14-5 record overall and their 5-3 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big 12. They have looked really good on their home court this year with their 9-2 home record, and they are coming off a home loss in their last one which they will be looking to bounce back from. Meanwhile, UCF has looked good in their games this season with their 13-6 record overall, but their 4-4 conference record has them right in the middle of the Big 12. They haven't looked great in their road games this year with their 2-2 road record and they have been struggling in their games lately too, going 2-3 in their last 5. They are coming off a big home win over TCU in their last one, winning by double digits, but right before that they took a bad loss on the road to Iowa State and have struggled to keep up with better teams in the Big 12. Kansas isn't the same dominant team that they have been in years past, but this is still a ranked team that is one of the best in the conference and they are going to be looking to bounce back in a big way after such a tight loss at home to Houston in their last one, losing that game in OT when they had a chance to take it. Kansas has had some big blowout wins at home this season and they can take advantage of this UCF team that has been inconsistent in road games. Look for Kansas to bounce back in a big way here and blow out UCF at home. The best way to place a bet here is on Kansas to cover the spread in this game. 

UCF Kansas Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Tuesday, January 28, 2025 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Kansas 84 UCF 64.

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UCF Knights: 5-1 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5 to 18 points. 13-7 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 5-1 OVER as a road underdog of 12.5 to 18 points. 15-6 OVER revenging a loss vs opponent. 22-14 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 12-6 OVER versus good passing teams, averaging 16 assists/game or more.

Kansas Jayhawks: 4-12 ATS when the total is 150 to 159.5. 3-10 ATS versus up-tempo teams averaging 62 or more shots/game. 14-26 ATS vs. good free throw shooting teams - making 72% of their attempts or more. 19-9 1H OVER as a favorite of 10 or more points. 12-5 1H OVER off a loss against a conference rival. 14-7 1H OVER after 1 or more consecutive losses.

UCF Knights:  J. Sellers (G) Questionable - Back. C. Simpson (G) Questionable - Illness.

Kansas Jayhawks:  K. Adams (F) Out - Shoulder. Z. Clemence (F) Out - Groin. J. McDowell (G) Out - Redshirt. N. Shelby (G) Out - Undisclosed. E. Jackson (G) Out - Knee.

"I thought our guys gave a great team effort and did a great job of bouncing back. We had two tough games and to come back home and get back in our environment, I thought our student section was great again, and I think our guys fed off it." - Johnny Dawkins after his team’s win against TCU in their last game. 

“If people think this is the frickin’ end of the season, it’s not at all. We played right with maybe the best team in America tonight without one of our starters.” - Bill Self after his team’s loss against Houston in their last game. 

D. Coleman 

K. Hall 

J. Ivy-Curry 

D. Johnson 

M. Thiam

K. Adams 

H. Dickinson 

R. Griffen 

D. Harris 

Z. Mayo

PPG: K. Hall (17.2)

APG: D. Johnson (4.1)

Reb/G: K. Hall (6.8)

PPG: H. Dickinson (15.8)

APG: D. Harris (5.8)

Reb/G: H. Dickinson (10.1)

Coaches:

UCF Knights: Johnny Dawkins Jr (9th season)

Kansas Jayhawks: Bill Self (22nd season)