Central Florida vs SMU 1/8/23 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The SMU Mustangs and UCF Knights meet Sunday in college basketball action at the Addition Financial Arena. The SMU Mustangs look for their seventh win. The UCF Knights look for their 12th win.

The SMU Mustangs are averaging 68.8 points on 42.4 percent shooting and allowing 71.2 points on 42 percent shooting. Zhuric Phelps is averaging 17.5 points and 3.9 rebounds, while Zach Nutall is averaging 14.3 points and 2.4 assists. Efe Odigie is grabbing 7.1 rebounds and Samuell Williamson is grabbing 7.1 rebounds. The SMU Mustangs are shooting 31.6 percent from beyond the arc and 70.6 percent from the free throw line. The SMU Mustangs are allowing 33.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.8 rebounds per game.

The UCF Knights are averaging 69.1 points on 43 percent shooting and allowing 60.5 points on 38.5 percent shooting. Taylor Hendricks is averaging 14.6 points and 1.3 assists, while CJ Kelly is averaging 12 points and 4.1 rebounds. Darius Johnson is the third double-digit scorer and Ithiel Horton is grabbing 4 rebounds. The UCF Knights are shooting 35.4 percent from beyond the arc and 74.4 percent from the free throw line. The UCF Knights are allowing 30.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.3 rebounds per game.

The Mustangs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Knights are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 5-1 in Mustangs last 6 overall. The under is 21-8 in Knights last 29 home games.

The SMU Mustangs just aren’t the same team they’ve been in years past, and that includes losing on the road by an average of 16.5 points. The UCF Knights are an elite defensive side, and they’re winning in the favorite role by an average of 10.9 points. This line is what it is for a reason. SMU is riding the struggle bus. Give me UCF.