UCF Knights vs East Carolina Pirates Predictions, College Basketball Expert Picks 2/6/2020

Game: UCF Knights vs East Carolina Pirates

Date: Thursday, February 6, 2020

Location: Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum in Greenville, NC

TV: ESPN3

Odds/Point Spread: East Carolina +3.5

Total/Over-Under: 136.5

The UCF Knights travel to Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum to play the East Carolina Pirates on Thursday, February 6, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has UCF as 3.5 point favorites.

UCF comes into this game with an overall record of 11-10. They currently have a point differential of 1.2 as they are averaging 67.7 points per game while giving up 66.4 per contest. East Carolina has an overall mark of 9-13. They are averaging 68.6 points per contest and giving up 71.5, which is a point differential of -2.8.

Valuable UCF Knights Betting Trends

The UCF Knights are 10-11-0 against the spread

The UCF Knights are 7-13-1 against the over/under

Important East Carolina Pirates Betting Trends

The East Carolina Pirates are 10-12-0 against the spread

The East Carolina Pirates are 11-11-0 against the over/under

Key UCF Knights Injuries

12/06/19 F Yuat Alok Academics is out indefinitely

Key East Carolina Pirates Injuries

02/05/20 G Tyrie Jackson Concussion is questionable Thursday vs Central Florida
01/24/20 C Edra Luster Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Ceasar DeJesus averages 10.8 points per game in 27.7 minutes per contest. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 1.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%. Collin Smith comes into this contest averaging 12.6 points per game while playing 26.4 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is at 64%.

Player Spotlight

Brandon Suggs averages 9.1 points per game and he sees the court an average of 22.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.5 rebounds per contest and 1.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 79%. Jayden Gardner averages 20.8 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 9.6 rebounds per game and has 2.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is at 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knights allow 66.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 102nd in Division 1. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 102nd and 116th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.4 rebounds a game which ranks 253rd, and they give up 14.2 assists per contest which puts them in 285th place in the NCAA. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 227th in the nation. UCF averages 67.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 277th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 1.2 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 262nd. Behind the arc they shoot 30% which is good for 315th in D-1. They average 36.0 rebounds per game and 13.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 150th and 162nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 159th with 13.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pirates surrender 71.5 points per contest, which ranks them 237th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 177th and 228th in those defensive statistics. They rank 230th with 13.2 assists allowed per contest, and 133rd with 34.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pirates are 140th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 13.0 per game. East Carolina is 254th in the country with 68.6 points per game this year. They are 282nd in the D-1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -2.8. They shoot 28% from 3-point range, which is good for 338th in the nation. They are 186th in the country in rebounding with 35.5 boards per game and 130th in assists per contest with 13.8. The Pirates are 141st in turnovers per game with 13.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Knights are 261st in the nation in offensive rating with 97.9. In terms of pace they are 212th in the country with 69.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 281st. As a team they are 286th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 192nd in Division 1. UCF is 153rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.9 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

East Carolina is 154th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.9 times per 100 possessions. The Pirates have an offensive rating of 96.6, which is ranked 283rd. They are 107th in D-1 in pace with 71 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 312th. As a unit they are 283rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 249th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take East Carolina +3.5

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