Oregon State Beavers vs UCF Knights Pick – 4/1/2025

The College Basketball Crown tournament kicks off with an intriguing contest between the Oregon State Beavers and the UCF Knights on April 1, 2025, at 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Both teams are eager to rebound from recent setbacks and make a strong statement in this postseason event.

Oregon State Beavers vs UCF Knights Game Preview

The Oregon State Beavers concluded their inaugural season in the West Coast Conference with a 20-12 record, including a 10-8 mark in conference play. Despite a promising start, the Beavers have stumbled recently, entering this matchup on a three-game losing streak. Their latest defeat was a 77-73 loss to Pepperdine in the conference tournament, where they surrendered a narrow halftime lead. Key contributors in that game included Damarco Minor, who posted 22 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, and Nate Kingz, who added 18 points and four assists.

Offensively, Oregon State has been efficient, shooting 48.5% from the field (22nd nationally) and 37.0% from three-point range (41st). They also excel at the free-throw line, converting 78.8% of their attempts (14th). Defensively, the Beavers allow 68.5 points per game, ranking 70th in the nation. However, their performance in neutral-site games has been less consistent, which could be a factor in this tournament setting.

On the other side, the UCF Knights finished the season with a 17-16 record, including a 7-13 mark in the Big 12 Conference. The Knights started strong with a 10-2 record but faced challenges in the latter half of the season. Their most recent game was a 98-94 overtime loss to Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament. In that contest, Keyshawn Hall led the team with a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Darius Johnson contributed 22 points and seven assists.

UCF's offense averages 78.6 points per game, ranking 69th nationally. However, their shooting percentages are less impressive, with a 42.0% field goal percentage (323rd) and a 33.0% three-point percentage (237th). They are strong from the free-throw line, making 77.9% of their attempts (21st). Defensively, the Knights have struggled, allowing 79.8 points per game (346th), with opponents shooting 45.2% against them (262nd).

Betting Insights

As of the latest reports, UCF is favored by 4.5 points, with an over/under set at 158.5 points. Bettors should consider the following trends:

• Oregon State has covered the spread in 19 of their last 31 games.
• UCF has hit the moneyline in 17 of their last 33 games.
• The over is 14-1 in the last 15 Oregon State games.

These trends suggest that while Oregon State has been reliable against the spread, UCF has a slight edge in outright wins. The high over trend for Oregon State indicates potential for a high-scoring game.

Oregon State Beavers vs UCF Knights Prediction

This matchup presents a contrast in styles, with UCF's fast-paced offense facing Oregon State's more deliberate approach. UCF's offensive tempo could pose challenges for the Beavers, especially given Oregon State's recent defensive struggles. Additionally, UCF has faced a tougher schedule, ranking 49th in strength of schedule compared to Oregon State's 134th. The Knights have also performed better in away and neutral-site games, ranking 72nd in such situations, while the Beavers rank 127th.

Considering these factors, UCF's offensive firepower and experience in high-tempo games give them an advantage. While Oregon State's efficient shooting and free-throw accuracy are notable, their recent defensive lapses and struggles in neutral-site games are concerning. Therefore, the prediction is that UCF will cover the spread, with the final score likely exceeding the over/under line.

Final Prediction: UCF Knights 82, Oregon State Beavers 75