Cincinnati Bearcats vs UCF Knights Pick – 4/3/2025

The Cincinnati Bearcats and the UCF Knights are set to face off in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown tournament on April 3, 2025, at 7:00 pm. Both teams are coming off first-round victories and are eager to advance further in the tournament.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. UCF Knights Game Preview

The UCF Knights (18-16) secured a narrow 76-75 win over Oregon State in the opening round. Notably, they achieved this victory without their leading scorer, Keyshawn Hall, who is currently in discussions with Arkansas. In his absence, Tyler Hendricks stepped up, recording his first double-double of the season. The Knights have had an inconsistent season, starting strong with a 10-2 record, including a significant win over Texas A&M. However, a heavy loss to Kansas on January 5th seemed to derail their momentum, leading to a 5-12 record in their subsequent 17 games. Offensively, UCF averages 79.2 points per game but struggles with shooting efficiency, hitting only 42.3% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow 80 points per game, ranking them 346th nationally.

The Cincinnati Bearcats (19-15) had a dominant 83-61 victory over DePaul in their first-round matchup. The team showcased a balanced scoring effort, with four players scoring between 11 to 15 points. Cincinnati began the season impressively with a 10-1 record before entering Big 12 play, where they faced challenges, losing eight of their next ten games. They concluded the regular season with four losses in their last five games. The Bearcats average 70.9 points per game, shooting 32.3% from three-point range and 66.8% from the free-throw line. Jizzle James leads the team with 12.8 points per game, followed by Simas Lukosius with 10.3 points per game. Defensively, Cincinnati is more robust, allowing 65.6 points per game, with opponents shooting 42.9% against them.

Betting Insights

For this matchup, the betting lines are as follows:

• Spread: Cincinnati -6
• Total Points: Over/Under 152

These lines suggest that Cincinnati is favored to win by six points, and the game is expected to be relatively high-scoring. Bettors should consider the following factors:

1. UCF's Defensive Struggles: The Knights have one of the weakest defenses in the nation, allowing 80 points per game. This could be exploited by Cincinnati's balanced offensive attack.
2. Absence of Keyshawn Hall: UCF's leading scorer's potential absence may hinder their offensive capabilities, placing additional pressure on other players to step up.
3. Cincinnati's Defensive Prowess: The Bearcats' defense ranks 21st nationally in neutral and away games, which could stifle UCF's offensive efforts.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. UCF Knights Prediction

Considering the current form and statistics of both teams, Cincinnati appears to have the upper hand. Their strong defensive performance, coupled with UCF's defensive vulnerabilities and the potential absence of Keyshawn Hall, suggests that the Bearcats are well-positioned to secure a victory. Additionally, Cincinnati's previous 93-83 win over UCF earlier this season indicates their capability to handle the Knights effectively. Therefore, the prediction for this game is:

• Spread Pick: Cincinnati -6
• Total Points Pick: Over 152

Given UCF's fast-paced play and defensive shortcomings, a high-scoring game is anticipated, making the over a favorable bet. However, bettors should monitor any updates regarding player availability and team news leading up to the game.