UCF at Connecticut College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/5/2019

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Harry A. Gampel Pavilion

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The UCF Knights travel to Harry A. Gampel Pavilion to play the Connecticut Huskies on Saturday, January 5, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Connecticut as 1 point favorites.

UCF heads into this matchup with a mark of 11-2. They currently have a point differential of 12.7 as they are averaging 76.5 points per contest while giving up 63.8 per game. Connecticut has an overall mark of 9-5. They are averaging 80.4 points per contest and giving up 71.7, which is a point differential of 8.6.

Valuable UCF Knights Betting Trends

The UCF Knights are 8-4-1 against the spread

The UCF Knights are 6-6-1 against the over/under

Important Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

The Connecticut Huskies are 7-7-0 against the spread

The Connecticut Huskies are 8-5-1 against the over/under

Key UCF Knights Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

12/31/18 F Mamadou Diarra Undisclosed is out indefinitely
01/04/19 F Kassoum Yakwe Foot is questionable Saturday vs Central Florida
01/04/19 F Kwintin Williams Suspension is questionable Saturday vs Central Florida

Player Spotlight

Aubrey Dawkins averages 15.2 points per game in 33.3 minutes per contest. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%. B.J. Taylor comes into this contest averaging 18.0 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night. He pulls down 2.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 52% while his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Christian Vital averages 12.6 points per game and he sees the court an average of 26.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.0 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 79%. Jalen Adams averages 17.2 points per game while playing 29.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knights allow 63.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 35th in Division 1. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 140th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.5 rebounds a game which ranks 156th, and they give up 13.0 assists per contest which puts them in 170th place in the NCAA. They force 12.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 65th in the nation. UCF averages 76.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 129th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 12.7 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 35th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 75th in D-1. They average 39.8 rebounds per game and 14.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 47th and 135th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 321st with 11.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Huskies surrender 71.7 points per contest, which ranks them 192nd in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 189th and 97th in those defensive statistics. They rank 68th with 11.3 assists allowed per contest, and 115th with 33.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Huskies are 327th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 17.4 per game. Connecticut is 56th in the country with 80.4 points per game this year. They are 88th in the D-1 in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 8.6. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 144th in the nation. They are 153rd in the country in rebounding with 36.6 boards per game and 172nd in assists per contest with 13.9. The Huskies are 133rd in turnovers per game with 14.1.

Advanced Statistics

The Knights are 57th in the nation in offensive rating with 111.7. In terms of pace they are 297th in the country with 67.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 52nd. As a team they are 77th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 262nd in Division 1. UCF is 305th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Connecticut is 180th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.3 times per 100 possessions. The Huskies have an offensive rating of 108.7, which is ranked 97th. They are 60th in D-1 in pace with 73.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 116th. As a unit they are 141st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 263rd in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Connecticut -1

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald