Connecticut at UCF NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/31/2019

Thursday, January 31, 2019

CFE Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Connecticut Huskies travel to CFE Arena to play the UCF Knights on Thursday, January 31, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has UCF as 6.5 point favorites.

Connecticut heads into this matchup with a mark of 12-8. They currently have a point differential of 7.5 as they are averaging 78.8 points per contest while giving up 71.4 per game. UCF has an overall mark of 15-4. They are averaging 73.6 points per contest and giving up 63.7, which is a point differential of 9.8.

Valuable Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

The Connecticut Huskies are 11-9-0 against the spread

The Connecticut Huskies are 11-7-2 against the over/under

Important UCF Knights Betting Trends

The UCF Knights are 10-8-1 against the spread

The UCF Knights are 8-10-1 against the over/under

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

12/31/18 F Mamadou Diarra Undisclosed is out indefinitely
01/30/19 G Alterique Gilbert Shoulder is questionable Thursday vs Central Florida
01/05/19 F Kwintin Williams Suspension is out indefinitely
01/04/19 F Kassoum Yakwe Foot is out indefinitely

Key UCF Knights Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jalen Adams comes into this contest averaging 18.2 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 84%. Christian Vital averages 13.7 points per game in 28.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.9 assists per contest and 5.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

B.J. Taylor averages 16.7 points per game while playing 33.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.1 rebounds per game and has 2.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Aubrey Dawkins averages 15.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut averages 78.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 56th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 7.5 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 99th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 110th in the nation. They average 36.8 rebounds per game and 13.2 assists per game, which ranks them 117th and 206th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 157th with 13.5 per game. The Huskies allow 71.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 173rd in the country. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 168th and 30th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.3 rebounds a game which ranks 145th and they give up 12.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 121st place in Division 1. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 305th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

UCF is 174th in the country with 73.6 points per game this year. They are 78th in Division 1 in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 9.8. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 175th in the nation. They are 87th in the NCAA in rebounding with 37.6 boards per game, and 191st in assists per contest with 13.4. The Knights are 305th in turnovers per game with 11.5. The Knights surrender 63.7 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in D-1. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 92nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 143rd with 12.7 assists allowed per contest and 218th with 35.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knights are 144th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Huskies are 84th in the nation in offensive rating with 108.5. In terms of pace they are 84th in the country with 72.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 115th. As a team they are 136th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 233rd in Division 1. Connecticut is 215th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.9 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

UCF is 293rd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions. The Knights have an offensive rating of 107.7, which is ranked 99th. They are 279th in D-1 in pace with 67.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 110th. As a unit they are 135th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 224th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Connecticut/UCF college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take UCF -6.5

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