The 14th-seeded
UCF Knights (17-15) battle the sixth-seeded
Kansas Jayhawks (20-11) Wednesday in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. Tip-off from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze
BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the
UCF vs. Kansas odds , and make our expert
college basketball picks and predictions . UCF stumbled to the finish line in the regular season, losing 9 of its last 12 games, but they started the Big 12 Tournament with a win. The Knights upset the 11th-seeded Utah Utes 87-72 as a 2-point underdog as the Over (158) hit. G
Keyshawn Hall led the way with 23 points. UCF has now won a game in each of its first 2 Big 12 Tournament appearances. They last made the NCAA Tournament in 2019. Kansas wrapped up the regular season with a big win, knocking off the No. 24 Arizona Wildcats 83-76. They covered as a 4-point home favorite as the Over (154) hit, thanks in part to a monster performance from All-Big 12 First Team C
Hunter Dickinson , who put up 33 points and 10 rebounds on Senior Night. The Jayhawks, who finished sixth in the Big 12, haven’t been to the conference title game since 2023 and last won it in 2022. Kansas won both matchups with the Knights this season. The Jayhawks won 91-87 on Jan. 28 while UCF covered as a 12.5 point road underdog as the Over (152) cashed. They thrashed UCF 99-48 in the first meeting on Jan. 5 in Orlando as the Under (149.5) hit. Provided by
BetMGM Sportsbook ; access
USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:43 a.m. ET.
UCF at Kansas picks and predictions
Prediction
PASS . The Jayhawks (-450) will advance on Wednesday night, but it will not come easy. But this is too costly so I’ll take my wager to the spread.
BET UCF +9.5 (-115) . These teams have played 3 times in the last 2 seasons, with 2 of those matchups decided by 5 points or less. UCF covered in both of those close games, proving they can hang with Kansas. While the Jayhawks are expected to win, they haven’t been dominant this season, struggling with inconsistency, especially on offense. UCF comes into this matchup having covered in 3 straight games. Swingman Hall is a tough cover at 6-7, playing even bigger and scoring from anywhere on the floor. He’s averaging 18.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, including a 34-point outburst on 5-of-7 shooting from deep in their second meeting with Kansas. The Knights also have the size to battle down low, with 7-2 C
Moustapha Thiam putting up 17 points on Dickinson earlier this season. Kansas can’t afford to overlook UCF, as the Knights have the pieces to make this another tight contest.
PASS . This total could go either way. The Over/Under split in their season series, and the trends don’t give a clear edge. UCF went Over in 18 of 32 games, while Kansas hit the Under in 21 of 31 contests. With numbers all over the place, there’s no strong read here. Sometimes, the best bet is to just sit it out.
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