BYU Cougars vs UCF Knights Prediction, 2/1/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: BYU Cougars vs UCF Knights

Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025

Location: Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, FL

TV: ESPN+

Addition Financial Arena is the site where the UCF Knights (13-7) will go up against the BYU Cougars (14-6) on Saturday.

The BYU Cougars took the court against Baylor and earned the victory with a final of 93-89 in their last game. In reference to personal fouls, the Cougars left the arena with 19 and Baylor totaled 22 personal fouls. They made 13 of 28 attempts from beyond the perimeter. Baylor finished 66.7% from the free throw line by converting 16 of their 24 shots. Moreover, Baylor pulled down 30 boards (13 offensive, 17 defensive), but didn't notch a rejection. Baylor doled out 18 dimes and had 4 steals for the matchup. When discussing defense, BYU let their opponent shoot 50.0% from the field on 30 out of 60 shooting. They also distributed 13 assists for the game while forcing the other team into 12 turnovers and earning 9 steals. In the matter of hauling in boards, they earned 24 with 9 of them being of the offensive sort. From the free throw line, the Cougars buried 21 of their 26 attempts for a percentage of 80.8%. BYU walked away from the game having earned a 55.2% field goal percentage (32 of 58) and converted 8 out of their 21 3-point attempts.

Kanon Catchings is someone who played a role in this game. He ended up with 23 points on 8 out of 8 shooting. He played 25 mins played and snagged 1 board. He ended up shooting 100.0% from the floor but wasn't able to get a dime.

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BYU comes into this one with a record of 14-6 for the season. They are averaging 81.0 pts per contest (43rd in college) while shooting 48.5% from the field. The Cougars are connecting on 37.1% on shots from 3-point land (210 of 566) and 69.5% from the charity stripe. As a unit, BYU is snagging 38.6 rebounds per game and has accumulated 339 dimes this season, which ranks 52nd in Division 1 in terms of passing. They cough up possession 11.9 times per game and as a group are committing 15.7 personal fouls per game.

On the defensive end, the Cougars are forcing 12.6 turnovers every game and they draw 16.8 personal fouls. They are ranked 109th in D-1 in allowing assists with 253 surrendered for the season. The Cougars defensively are allowing a field goal percentage of 42.0% (469 of 1,116) and they relinquish 30.0 boards per game as a team. They are conceding 34.6% on shots from distance while they are 65th in the country in PPG allowed (67.4).

The last time they took the hardwood, the UCF Knights went home defeated by a final of 91-87 when they played Kansas. The Knights were able to snag 22 defensive rebounds and 12 offensive rebounds for a total of 34 for the matchup. They also gave up possession of the ball 7 times, while getting 11 steals for the matchup. Kansas was called for 16 personal fouls for the contest which got the Knights to the charity stripe for a total of 17 tries. They were able to knock down 15 of the free throw tries for a rate of 88.2%. Concerning shots from distance, UCF converted 14 of their 36 attempts (38.9%). In all, the Knights ended up going 29 for 75 from the field which gave them a percentage of 38.7%. The Knights allowed Kansas to knock down 28 of their 64 attempts from the floor which had them sitting at 43.8% for the contest. They shot 47.6% from 3-point land by shooting 10 out of 21 and finished the contest at 25 out of 29 at the free throw line (86.2%). When talking about rebounding, UCF allowed Kansas to snag 44 overall (14 offensive).

Keyshawn Hall ended up having an impact for the Knights for the game. He made 9 out of 19 for this game for a field goal rate of 47.4%, and had 7 rebounds. He accumulated 34 points in his 39 mins on the hardwood and added 3 assists in this contest.

UCF has a record of 13-7 for the year. On the offensive side of the ball, the Knights are shooting 42.1% from the floor, which is 318th in the country. UCF has accounted for 1,597 points on the campaign (79.9 per contest) and they grab 37.1 boards per game. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 14.9 times per game (109th in the nation) and they lose possession via turnover 12.3 times per contest. The Knights are committing 17.1 fouls per game and they shoot 77.4% from the charity stripe.

The Knights defensively are ranked 332nd in Division 1 in points given up per game with 78.7. They are forcing 13.7 turnovers on a nightly basis and allow teams to shoot 44.4% from the floor (245th in college). The UCF defense concedes 34.5% on shots from distance (156 of 452) and their opposition makes 73.7% of their shots from the free throw line. They surrender 14.3 assists and 38.8 rebounds per contest, which has them ranked 280th and 344th in D-1.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take UCF

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