Offense meets defense when the SMU Mustangs (12-10, 4-6 AAC) welcome the UCF Knights (16-5, 6-3 AAC) to Moody Coliseum. The game starts at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 10, 2019, and will air on ESPNews.
UCF Knights at SMU Mustangs ATS Prediction
In the Knights’ last contest, they were beaten by the No. 12 Houston Cougars, 77-68. Houston’s 29.7 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over UCF, who had a mark of 20.0. The Cougars’ mark was below their season average of 34.2, while the Knights’ was below their season average of 29.7. BJ Taylor led UCF in scoring with 21 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
The Mustangs lost a close one to the South Florida Bulls in their last outing, 67-66. South Florida’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over SMU. The Bulls had a rate of 0.573 (above their season average of 0.496), while the Mustangs posted a mark of 0.482. Isiaha Mike had a good performance for SMU, leading the team in scoring with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. SMU ranks 30th in offensive efficiency and UCF ranks 32nd in defensive efficiency.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the last contest, the Knights won 52-37. UCF had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.456 vs. 0.279). SMU, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.4 vs. 16.0).
UCF Knights at SMU Mustangs Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UCF, ATS Winner – UCF, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
SMU ranks 31st in rebounds allowed per game (31.7) while UCF ranks 188th (35.7).
The Mustangs rank 79th in three pointers attempted per game (24.6) while the Knights rank 235th (19.7).
UCF ranks 161st in assists per game (13.2) while SMU ranks 218th in assists allowed per game (15.0).
The Knights rank 23rd in blocks per game (4.8) while the Mustangs rank 79th (3.7).
SMU allows the 11th-fewest steals per game (4.8) while UCF ranks 58th (5.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Knights’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 8.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mustangs have scored an average of 72.6 points per game (1.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.6 points per game (7.7 above their season average).
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