The Utah Utes travel to play the UCF Knights in a Saturday night matchup set to tip off on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. CT. Utah’s post-season hopes have been dashed for weeks now, but for UCF, the group cannot afford to take a step back. Utah enters the contest at 10-16 overall with a conference record of just 2-11, while UCF sits at 18-7 and 7-6 in league play. Here’s a preview, prediction, key storylines, and updated odds to keep an eye on in this matchup as we get set for the game in Salt Lake City, Utah.
UCF vs. Utah Basketball Odds
The UCF Knights currently sit as 1.5-point favorites, with an over/under total points set at 154.5 total points.
Key Storyline: Avoiding the Slip
UCF is in a good spot for the NCAA Tournament bracket, but they can’t afford to get comfortable. They aren’t on the bubble anymore, which is a relief, but that can all change with a bad loss. Utah is fresh off of a conference win, which has been tough thing to come by lately, as they sit at 2-11 in conference play. They should enter the game with more confidence than they’ve had in weeks, and that could be troublesome for the Knights.
Match Up to Watch: UCF Offense vs. Utah Defense
If you haven’t watched the Knights much this season, you may be shocked to know that they sit in sixth among Big 12 offenses, averaging 81.8 points per game. For reference, Utah is 14th with 75.8. Defensively for Utah, it’s been a struggle, to say the least. They are surrendering the 13th-most points of anyone in the league this season, allowing teams to score 78.6 points per game on average. If UCF’s offense gets rolling early, that would be a massive turning point in favor of the Knights.
Prediction: UCF 79, Utah 68
This game feels like too much firepower for Utah to compete with. With UCF headed for the tournament and wanting to finish strong down the final stretch of games, it feels like nearly every game that’s not a Quad 1 opportunity is a must win. Johnny Dawkins’ squad is better and built for the moment. Plain and simple. Give me the Knights in a semi-comfortable win.
