UCF Knights vs Florida Gators 3/15/23 – Wednesday night, the NIT Tournament continues as UCF Knights travel in-state to face Florida Gators. UCF ended their season with a loss in the AAC Quarterfinals against Memphis 81-76 and barely covered their 5.5-point spread as dogs; Florida lost to Mississippi State 69-68 in the second round of the SEC Tournament and covered as 5-point favorites; these teams did not meet during regular season play. Whoever wins will advance to play either Oregon/UC Irvine game as per the best college basketball online sites.
UCF Knights vs Florida Gators
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET
Location: Stephen C. O’Connell Center
TV: ESP2
UCF Knights vs Florida Gators Betting Odds
UCF
Moneyline: +170
Spread: +5 (-110)
Total: 140 over (-110)
Florida
Moneyline: -185
Spread: -5 (-110)
Total: 140 under (-110)
UCF Knights vs Florida Gators Analysis
UCF Knights won their opening matchup of the AAC Tournament against SMU 76-70. But then they faced 2-seed Memphis Tigers in the quarterfinals and lost five. Memphis went on to win the conference tournament, while UCF finds itself in the NIT. UCF outrebounded Memphis 42-27 but ultimately fell short as Memphis took home the conference tournament title. Senior guard CJ Kelly led UCF with 28 points in the loss. KenPom ranks UCF 65th overall, which is 4th highest in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Only Houston and Memphis made it to the NCAA Tournament from this conference. The Knights rank 89th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 49th in defensive efficiency.
This season, the SEC and Big Ten had the most teams in the NCAA Tournament; each conference received 8 bids to the Big Dance. Unfortunately for Florida, their non-conference record and strength of schedule proved too much for them in the end; both Arkansas and Mississippi State made it with 8-10 conference records while Florida Gators finished 9-9 with a weaker overall resume. KenPom ranks Florida 63rd overall, ahead of some teams that received at-large bids such as Arizona State (68th) and Pittsburgh (77th). The Gators rank 112th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 30th in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, Florida will host this first round game and has gone 3-2 in their last five home games.
UCF Knights vs Florida Gators Against the Spread
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Central Florida’s last 17 games. Central Florida are 5-10 SU in their last 15 games. Central Florida are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games against Florida. Central Florida are 4-11 SU in their last 15 games on the road. Central Florida are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Florida. Central Florida are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against an opponent in the Southeastern conference.
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Florida’s last 10 games. Florida are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games. The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida’s last 6 games at home. Florida are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Central Florida. Florida are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against an opponent in the American Athletic Conference conference. The total has gone OVER in 8 of Florida’s last 10 games played in March.
UCF Knights vs Florida Gators Free Pick
The Gators are the stronger overall team. UCF’s best player, Hendricks (6’9 forward), will have difficulty scoring against Castleton who recently earned his place on the All-Defensive Team of the SEC. Florida ended their regular season on a high note, winning back-to-back SEC games and only losing by 1 in the conference tourney to Mississippi State. Further downfield, Florida boasts four guards averaging between 8.7 and 10.6 PPG; trust the established power to take care of business in this opening round game at home.Gators are the best bet today to win and cover the spread.
Free Pick: Florida Gators -5 (-110)
