Expert College Basketball Betting Prediction: Wichita State vs. Central Florida

College Basketball Prediction: Wichita State vs Central Florida

Written by on February 28, 2018

The 11th-ranked Wichita State Shockers will look to remain hot as they make preparations for the NCAA Tournament when they hit the road to take on the Central Florida Knights on Thursday night. Now, let’s find out where the College Basketball Betting value for this contest lies, just remember to check the NCAAB Odds before the game starts because they might change.

Shockers vs. Knights Expert College Basketball Betting Prediction

  • When: Thursday, March 1, 2018, 7:00 PM ET
  • Where: CFE Arena, Orlando, Florida
  • TV: ESPN 2
  • Radio: 103.7 FM (Wichita State) / 740 AM (Central Florida)
  • Live Stream: Watch ESPN
  • College Basketball Betting Odds: TBA

Team Records

  • All: Wichita State Shockers 23-5 / Central Florida Knights 17-11
  • Home: Wichita State Shockers 14-2 / Central Florida Knights 11-4
  • Away: Wichita State Shockers 9-3 / Central Florida Knights 6-7
  • ATS: Wichita State Shockers 12-14 / Central Florida Knights 13-10
  • Over/Under: Wichita State Shockers 17-9 / Central Florida Knights 9-14

NCAA Basketball Betting Analysis & Pick: Virginia at Louisville

Last Matchup Stats

  • Score: Wichita State Shockers 81.00 / Central Florida Knights 62.00
  • Field Goal Percentage: Wichita State Shockers 43.55 / Central Florida Knights 36.07
  • Rebounds: Wichita State Shockers 48.00 / Central Florida Knights 38.00
  • 3 Point Shots: Wichita State Shockers 5-18 / Central Florida Knights 7-25
  • Steals: Wichita State Shockers 2.00 / Central Florida Knights 3.00

Why Consider Betting on Wichita State?

Why should you consider betting on Auburn in this contest? Because the Shockers are playing excellent basketball right now. Wichita State has won six straight and eight of their last nine games including their 84-78 win over SMU on Saturday. Markis McDuffie scored a season-high 26 points off the bench, including nine during the first four minutes of the second half, to lead No. 11 Wichita State to an 84-78 win over SMU on Saturday. The Shockers are ranked a stellar 16th in scoring (84.2 ppg) and limit the opposition to 71.1 points per game defensively. The Shockers have four players averaging double figures in scoring and a whopping five more that each average at least 5.1 points per contest, so they’ve got plenty of offensive power, not to mention that head coach Gregg Marshall is now, clearly established as one of the most elite college hoops coaches in the nation. Wichita State has the look of a dangerous team right about now, even if they’re not exactly the longest of longshots!

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Total Score: 84.18
  • Field Goal Percentage: 48.31
  • Three-Point Percentage: 39.38
  • Free Throw Percentage: 73.77
  • Total Rebounds: 40.82
Defense
  • Total Score: 71.14
  • Field Goal Percentage: 41.77
  • Three-Point Percentage: 35.74
  • Free Throw Percentage: 72.87
  • Total Rebounds: 30.64

Why Consider Betting on Central Florida?

Why should you consider backing Central Florida in this contest? Because the Knights are desperate and playing at home. UCF has lost two straight and four of their last seven and come into this contest off a humbling 75-56 beatdown against Temple on Sunday. UCF shouldn't be your College Basketball Betting pick for this contest. A.J. Davis led the Knights with 18 points, but UCF shot a pitiful 16 of 50 from the field. The Knights average a modest 62.6 points per game and give up 61.2 points per contest defensively.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Total Score: 62.64
  • Field Goal Percentage: 42.90
  • Three-Point Percentage: 31.96
  • Free Throw Percentage: 64.29
  • Total Rebounds: 35.18
Defense
  • Total Score: 61.18
  • Field Goal Percentage: 39.39
  • Three-Point Percentage: 33.33
  • Free Throw Percentage: 73.35
  • Total Rebounds: 33.29

Latest College Basketball Betting Trends

  • Wichita State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Wichita State’s last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Central Florida’s last 9 games
  • Central Florida is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
  • Central Florida is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

Expert Analysis and Score Prediction

There’s no sense in beating around the bush. Central Florida is going down and they’re going down hard! The Knights already lost to the Shockers 81-62 o the road on Jan. 25 and they’re likely going down by a similar score in this one despite playing at home. If the spread isn’t too large back Wichita State to cover, even though you should know the Shockers are just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games against a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600 and 1-3 ATS in their last four games overall. Still, with Central Florida going just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning SU record and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS loss, I’m thinking another rout is in order! Score: Wichita State Shockers 80 – UCF Knights 71