Arizona at UCF College Basketball Betting Tips
In 2019, head coach Johnny Dawkins took the UCF Knights to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. At that time, there was the belief that UCF could be a new emerging power in college hoops. Since that run, UCF has never returned to the Big Dance.
However, the Knights may bust through this season. UCF is off to a strong start in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference. And the Knights have one of the best and most balanced offenses in college hoops.
On Saturday, Dawkins and the Knights will have a golden opportunity to step out in front of the nation. The #1-ranked Arizona Wildcats will come calling to Addition Financial Arena.
Arizona is a college basketball legacy brand and a serious Final Four contender. UCF will get its chance to prove it belongs.
Arizona at UCF Preview
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the UCF Knights will host the Arizona Wildcats at Additional Financial Arena in Orlando, FL. Tipoff time is 4 p.m. ET with television coverage on ESPN.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- Arizona is a legacy college basketball brand that means ratings and betting traffic, especially when on ESPN.
- Sharps see Arizona as a potentially strong betting value because of its more favorable road-team price against the college basketball spread.
- But some Wise Guys prefer the UCF Knights as home dogs, expecting more points than usual given the powerful Arizona brand.
Arizona at UCF Predictions
Handicapping Factors to Consider
- As mentioned below, Arizona excels in this spot while UCF does not.
- The road team discount adds to Arizona’s appeal.
- Arizona has been an exceptionally reliable road chalk.
- Arizona is in good recent form and has been an excellent betting value.
- UCF has not been a reliable play at the betting window lately.
- Arizona has the better and deeper team.
Arizona at UCF Prime Best Bet: Arizona Wildcats
Arizona at UCF Betting Tips
Arizona Wildcats
- The Wildcats rank 17th in scoring offense, 7th in field goal percentage, 36th in 3-point field goal percentage, 115th in free throw percentage, and 4th in offensive rebounding.
- On defense, the Wildcats rank 54th in scoring defense, 35th in field goal percentage allowed, 136th in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 3rd in defensive rebounding.
- The Arizona Wildcats are 17-0 straight up, 11-6 against the spread, and 11-6 over/under the total.
- Arizona has covered three out of its last four games.
- The Wildcats have gone over the college basketball betting total in seven of its previous eight matchups.
UCF Knights
- UCF has NCAABB metrics of 67th in scoring offense, 38th in field goal percentage, 23rd in 3-point field goal percentage, 168th in free throw percentage, and 100th in offensive rebounding.
- On defense, the Knights rank 180th in scoring defense, 156th in field goal percentage allowed, 134th in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 35th in defensive rebounding.
- The UCF Knights are 14-2 straight up, 9-7 against the spread, and 6-10 over/under the total.
- UCF has covered two out of its last five games.
- While the Knights have gone under the total in four of their previous four matchups.
Arizona at UCF Head-to-Head and Key Stats
- In the only previous meeting between the Knights and Wildcats, UCF covered the spread last year. The game went over the total.
- Arizona has been a reliable betting value on the road, posting 13 payouts in its last 19 games.
- The Wildcats went under the total in four of their last six away games.
- Central Florida lost only two of its last seven home games against the spread.
- Four of the last five home games for the Knights went under the total.
- As a home dog, UCF covered the spread in only two of its last six games.
- The Knights went under the total in 14 of their last 18 games as a home dog.
- Arizona covered the spread in eight of its last 11 games as a road favorite.
- The Wildcats went over the total in 14 of their last 19 games as a road chalk.
