UCF vs. BYU Betting Preview: Insights and Pick | March 13

UCF Knights (16-14 SU, 40-12-1 ATS) vs. BYU Cougars (22-9 SU, 19-11-1 ATS)

When: Wednesday, March 13th, 12:30 PM (ET)

Where: T-Mobile Center, MO, Kansas City

TV: ESPN2

Point Spread: UCF +5.5/BYU -5.5

Total: 146

Money Line: UCF Knights +197/-246

Notable Injuries

Knights

Cougars

• Dawson Baker (Out) Foot
• Marcus Adams Jr. (Out) Knee

Recent Form

UCF has been very good this year, with a record of 16-14. They have won their last 2 road games and are 3-0 in neutral site games. On the road, the Knights are 4-7, and they have a scoring margin of -6.3 points per game.

As the underdog, UCF is 5-10 SU this season. In their last game, they beat Oklahoma State by a score of 77-62. Over their last 10 games on the road, the Knights are 4-6. So far, they have been favored in 38 games and have a record of 34-4.

So far this season, the over/under record in UCF games is 15-16, and the average scoring total in their games is 138.6 points. Today’s over/under line of 146 is higher than the average over/under line in their games this year (137.7). Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1, with an average scoring total of 139 points.

UCF has been a solid team vs. the spread this season, going 19-12 overall. They are 6-5 vs. the spread on the road this year and have gone 9-5-1 vs. the spread as the underdog. In their last 10 games as the underdog, UCF has an ATS record of 7-3.

BYU has been dominant at home this season, going 17-2 with an average scoring margin of +19.6 points per game. They have also won their last six games at home. Overall, they are 22-9 on the season, including a 10-8 record in Big 12 play.

As the favorite, the Cougars are 21-3 this season. They have been favored in 24 of their 31 games, and their average scoring margin at home is +19.6 points per game.

On the season, the over/under record for BYU games is 15-16, and today’s line of 146 is lower than the average OU line in their games (150). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 149 points, and during their last 10 games, the over/under record is 5-5.

BYU has been a solid team vs. the spread this season, going 19-11-1. They have been even better at home, going 14-5 vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Cougars are 6-3-1 vs. the spread.

Analysis

Coming off their recent game, the UCF offense tallied 77 points in a matchup against Oklahoma State. Their field goal percentage for the game was 40.3%, and they made 9 threes. Offensively, the Knights have a season-long field goal percentage of 42%, which is 362nd in the nation. In terms of three-pointers, they are 41st in percentage and 166th in three-pointers made.

This season, the UCF defense has been impressive, holding the 47th position in the country while permitting an average of 67.0 points per contest. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, UCF’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 41.1% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 32.2% this season.

The BYU offense is coming off a game where they scored 85 points against Oklahoma State. They posted a field goal percentage of 50.8% and connected on 12 threes. The BYU offense has been looking to get up shots from outside so far this season, averaging 32.2 three-point attempts per contest. Overall, they have connected on 35% of their looks from outside this season.

Currently, the Cougars’ defense holds the 99th rank in the nation, allowing 69.5 points per game. Against Oklahoma State in their most recent game, the BYU defense gave up a total of 71 points while allowing Oklahoma State to hit 50% of their shots.

Betting Trends

• The Knights are 2-1 ATS in their three last road games and 2-1 straight-up.
• Across the Cougars’ last ten home games, the team averaged 73 points per game while allowing 76. Their record vs. the spread in these contests was 3-6-1 while going 3-7 straight-up.
• Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Knights have gone 4-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Cougars have gone 6-3-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 9-1.

Rich Crew’s Point Spread Pick

UCF played BYU tough in their earlier match on the road at the Marriot Center. The Cougars held on late after a big push by the Knights in the last minute to win by two as a -12.5 home fav. UCF has performed well in the dog role this season going 10-5 versus the number and are catching 5.5 points today in a neutral site game at the T-Mobile Center. Take the UCF Knights +5.5 points.