UCF vs SMU Predictions, Picks, Tips, 1/8/2020

Game: UCF Knights vs SMU Mustangs

Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Location: Moody Coliseum in University Park, TX

TV: ESPN3

Odds/Point Spread: SMU -7.5

Total/Over-Under: 136.5

The UCF Knights travel to Moody Coliseum to play the SMU Mustangs on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has SMU as 7.5 point favorites.

UCF comes into this game with an overall record of 9-5. They currently have a point differential of 3.8 as they are averaging 70.0 points per game while giving up 66.2 per contest. SMU has an overall mark of 11-2. They are averaging 78.2 points per contest and giving up 67.4, which is a point differential of 10.8.

Valuable UCF Knights Betting Trends

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

The UCF Knights are 5-8-1 against the over/under

Important SMU Mustangs Betting Trends

The SMU Mustangs are 8-4-1 against the spread

The SMU Mustangs are 9-4-0 against the over/under

Key UCF Knights Injuries

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

Key SMU Mustangs Injuries

11/14/19 F Jahmar Young Jr. Redshirt is out for season

Player Spotlight

Ceasar DeJesus averages 10.5 points per game in 25.2 minutes per contest. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 2.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%. Collin Smith comes into this contest averaging 13.1 points per game while playing 26.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is at 64%.

Player Spotlight

Isiaha Mike averages 15.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.5 rebounds per contest and 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 90%. Kendric Davis averages 16.0 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.6 rebounds per game and has 7.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 97%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knights allow 66.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 115th in Division 1. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 118th and 101st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.6 rebounds a game which ranks 247th, and they give up 14.4 assists per contest which puts them in 284th place in the NCAA. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 210th in the nation. UCF averages 70.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 224th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 3.8 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 264th. Behind the arc they shoot 30% which is good for 319th in D-1. They average 39.3 rebounds per game and 14.6 assists per contest, which ranks them 57th and 92nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 174th with 13.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Mustangs surrender 67.4 points per contest, which ranks them 149th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 60th and 223rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 264th with 13.8 assists allowed per contest, and 55th with 32.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mustangs are 80th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game. SMU is 49th in the country with 78.2 points per game this year. They are 35th in the D-1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 10.8. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 159th in the nation. They are 28th in the country in rebounding with 40.7 boards per game and 20th in assists per contest with 16.8. The Mustangs are 159th in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Knights are 224th in the nation in offensive rating with 99.7. In terms of pace they are 185th in the country with 70.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 279th. As a team they are 298th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 188th in Division 1. UCF is 205th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

SMU is 170th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions. The Mustangs have an offensive rating of 112.5, which is ranked 12th. They are 294th in D-1 in pace with 67.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 48th. As a unit they are 30th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 173rd in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take SMU -7.5

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