Offense meets defense when the No. 11 Wichita State Shockers (23-5, 13-3 AAC) visit UCF to take on the Knights (17-11, 8-8 AAC). The game can be seen on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 1, 2018.
Wichita State opened as an 8.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 137 points.
Wichita State Shockers at UCF Knights Free Prediction
In the Shockers’ last matchup, they defeated the SMU Mustangs, 84-78. Wichita State out-rebounded SMU. The Shockers had 17 offensive rebounds and 41 total rebounds, while the Mustangs had eight and 23, respectively. Wichita State rallied around Shaquille Morris, who put up 21 points and 10 rebounds.
The Knights lost big to the Temple Owls in their last matchup, 75-56. Temple’s 0.588 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over UCF, who had a mark of 0.378. The Owls’ mark was above their season average of 0.493, while the Knights’ was below their season average of 0.484. A.J. Davis had a solid performance for UCF, leading the team in scoring with 18 points on 5-for-11 shooting.
It could be a difficult game for UCF on the offensive glass. The Knights currently rank 179th in offensive rebounding percentage (29.1 percent), while Wichita State ranks 15th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.0 percent). Additionally, the fifth-ranked offense of the Shockers (offensive efficiency of 120.5) will go head-to-head against the 13th-ranked defense of the Knights (defensive efficiency of 94.7).
Wichita State comes into the contest with records of 23-5 straight up (SU) and 12-14 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Shockers tend to finish over the total (65.4 percent).
Meanwhile, UCF is 17-11 SU and 13-10 ATS. Unlike Wichita State, Knights games have typically gone under the total (60.9 percent).
Morris has averaged 15.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for Wichita State.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Morris scored a game-high 19 points and the Shockers beat the Knights 81-62. He also recorded six rebounds. The Shockers knocked down 22 of their 30 free throws (73.3 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (7.4 vs. 12.5).
Wichita State Shockers vs. UCF Knights Betting Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Wichita State, ATS Winner – Wichita State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Wichita State is 6-7 ATS on the road with 7 unders and 6 overs.
UCF is 7-3 ATS at home with 6 unders and 4 overs.
Wichita State ranks third in assists per game (18.9) while UCF ranks 271st (10.8).
The Shockers rank 80th in three pointers attempted per game (24.0) while the Knights rank 292nd (16.4).
Wichita State ranks ninth in rebounds per game (40.9) while UCF ranks 167th (35.2).
The Shockers rank 56th in blocks per game (4.1) while the Knights rank 161st in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
UCF ranks 202nd in steals per game (5.2) while Wichita State ranks 234th (4.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Wichita State is 2-3 ATS with 5 overs.
UCF is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Shockers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, down from 13.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knights have scored an average of 61.8 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 60.6 points per game (0.6 below their season average).
