The Knights were able to Secure the Seventh Seed | OSB
UCF vs. Florida
The UCF Knights will travel to the Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center to take on the Florida Gators in the first round of the NIT. (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Knights will look to bounce back after losing in the American Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal game against the Memphis Tigers 81-76. They will need to focus in though and forget about the loss if they want to make a run in this tournament. Meanwhile, the Gators got knocked out of the SEC Tournament in the second round when they lost to the Mississippi State Bulldogs in overtime 69-68. Look to see after a tough loss like that if they can bounce back and make a run in the tournament.
UCF Basketball
With an 18-14 record on the season and an 8-10 record in conference play, the Knights were able to secure the seventh seed in the AAC Tournament. UCF won their first game against the SMU Mustangs 76-70. Unfortunately, they ran into the winner of the tournament in Memphis in the second round and loss. Now, they will have to travel on the road to take on Florida. The Knights this season have been shaky on the road as they are 4-6 as the away team. Look to see if they can fix their road play against the Gators.
UCF has gotten production from a lot of their players this season. They have four players that are averaging double-digit points this season. Freshman forward Taylor Hendricks has been leading the Knights this year, as he leads the team in points and rebounds. Hendricks is averaging 15.3 points and 6.9 rebounds a game this season. They are also, led by their senior guard C.J. Kelly who is averaging 13.1 points and 2.8 assists this season.
In their loss against Memphis in the AAC Tournament, Kelly led the way having a monster game finishing with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. He also went 9-12 from the floor and 4-5 from the three-point line. Their star player Hendricks struggled as went 2-12 from the floor and 0-5 from the three-point line. In the loss, the Knights shot 41.5% from the floor and 32.1% from the three-point line.
Florida Basketball
With an 16-16 record on the season and an 9-9 record in conference play, the Gators finished in the middle of the pack in the SEC Standings. In the tournament they were the eighth seed as they were quickly exited losing their first game in the second round against Mississippi State. They will host UCF in the first round. The Gators have been great at home this year as they are 10-5 in the Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Look to see if they can continue their dominance at home and make a run in the tournament.
Florida really hasn’t gotten a lot of production their players this season. They are led by senior forward Colin Castleton as he leads the team in points and rebounds. Castleton is averaging 16.0 points and 7.7 rebounds a game this season. They are also led by sophomore guard Will Richard who is averaging 10.6 points a game this season.
In their loss against Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament, freshman guard Riley Kugel led the way with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Senior guard Myreon Jones also had a great game finishing with 11 points and 7 rebounds. They just could not stop Mississippi State’s senior forward Tolu Smith as he finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds. In the loss, Florida shot 40.3% from the floor and 22.9% from the three-point line.
UCF vs. Florida Betting Odds
Betting odds courtesy of Caesars
- Spread: Florida Gators -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 143.0 (-110)
- Moneyline: UCF Golden Knights (+130), Florida Gators (-155)
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UCF vs. Florida Trends
– UCF is 5-5 ATS on the road this year.
– Florida is 8-7 ATS at home this year.
– UCF is 3-2 ATS in NIT games.
– Florida is 7-6 ATS in NIT games.
– The Knights are 4-8-1 ATS following a loss this year.
– The Gators are 8-7 ATS following a loss this year.
UCF vs. Florida Prediction
I think UCF goes into Gainesville and beats Florida. The Knights just have more weapons than the Gators do. They are a more dangerous team too. I think it’s going to be hard for Florida to get up and play after that tough loss to Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. Also, Taylor Hendricks on UCF had an awful game against Memphis look for him to bounce back in this one as him and C.J. Kelly lead the Knights to the win. UCF wins this game 72-65.
UCF vs. Florida: The UCF Knights will cover the spread (+7.0) and win outright (+130).
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