UCF vs Houston NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/3/2020

Game: UCF Knights vs Houston Cougars

Date: Friday, January 3, 2020

Location: Fertitta Center in Houston, TX

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -12

Total/Over-Under: 133.5

The UCF Knights travel to Fertitta Center to play the Houston Cougars on Friday, January 3, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 12 point favorites.

UCF comes into this game with an overall record of 9-4. They currently have a point differential of 5.2 as they are averaging 70.5 points per game while giving up 65.3 per contest. Houston has an overall record of 10-3. They are averaging 77.2 points per game and surrendering 65.5, good for a point differential of 11.7.

Valuable UCF Knights Betting Trends

The UCF Knights are 7-6-0 against the spread

The UCF Knights are 4-8-1 against the over/under

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 7-6-0 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 8-5-0 against the over/under

Key UCF Knights Injuries

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

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

11/16/19 F J'Wan Roberts Hand is out for season

Player Spotlight

Collin Smith comes into this contest averaging 13.3 points per game while playing 26.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 65%. Ceasar DeJesus averages 10.5 points per game in 25.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 2.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Quentin Grimes averages 15.2 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.3 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Caleb Mills averages 12.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 21.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.8 rebounds per contest and 1.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

UCF averages 70.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 215th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 5.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 230th. Behind the arc they shoot 30% which is good for 303rd in the nation. They average 39.2 rebounds per game and 14.6 assists per game, which ranks them 72nd and 106th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 191st with 13.5 per game. The Knights allow 65.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 101st in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 129th and 110th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.9 rebounds a game which ranks 209th and they give up 14.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 290th place in Division 1. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 202nd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 79th in the country with 77.2 points per game this year. They are 152nd in Division 1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 11.7. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 80th in the nation. They are 6th in the NCAA in rebounding with 42.8 boards per game, and 155th in assists per contest with 13.8. The Cougars are 310th in turnovers per game with 11.8. The Cougars surrender 65.5 points per contest, which ranks them 104th in D-1. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 203rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 135th with 11.9 assists allowed per contest and 34th with 31.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cougars are 18th in country in forcing turnovers with 11.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Knights are 201st in the nation in offensive rating with 101. In terms of pace they are 214th in the country with 69.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 253rd. As a team they are 269th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 205th in Division 1. UCF is 208th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 327th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 18th in the country in offensive rating with 112.8. In terms of pace they are 268th in Division 1 with 68.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 172nd. As a team they are 164th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 281st in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -12

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