Baylor Bears (14-5) vs. UCF Knights (12-7)
Baylor Bears vs. UCF Knights 1/31/24 – The upcoming clash between the Baylor Bears and the UCF Knights promises to be a pivotal matchup in this NCAA Men’s Basketball season. Set to take place on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the Addition Financial Arena, both teams are eyeing a crucial win to bolster their standings. The Bears, with a respectable 14-5 record, face off against the Knights, who currently stand at 12-7. This game, earmarked for exclusive premium picks, is not just a test of skill but also of strategy and endurance.
Baylor has experienced both highs and lows this season. By scoring 85.1 points per game at 49.4 field goal percentage, they show offensive dominance while their 3-point shooting of 40% stands out as particularly impressive. Unfortunately, their inconsistency is evident over their last five games with a 2-3 record overall and against the spread while being 3-4 against spread away from home; nonetheless their offensive rebounding (12.4 per game) and defensive abilities (6.6 steals and 3.6 blocks per game) remain formidable assets.
UCF Knights present an alternative style. Scoring an average of 71.9 points per game with 41% field goal percentage, their offensive output is less prolific compared to Baylor. They excel in defensive rebounds averaging 26.3 per game while maintaining a strong presence defensively with 9 steals and 5.5 blocks per game. UCF’s recent form has been more inconsistent; posting just three wins out of five matches. Nonetheless, against the spread they have proven more consistent – going 4-1 during that stretch suggesting they often outperform expectations!
Baylor Bears vs. UCF Knights 1/31/24 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Addition Financial Arena |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Ja’Kobe Walter (Guard) vs. Jaylin Sellers (Guard)
Ja’Kobe Walter has played 19 games this season, averaging 30.1 minutes per contest. He’s been an efficient volume scorer, putting up 15.2 points on 40.7% shooting from the field and 35.7% from three. Though undersized at just 6’0, Walter uses crafty dribble moves and body control to finish inside. He’s also an excellent free throw shooter at 85.2%. While he chips in 4.7 rebounds per game, he lacks size to make a huge impact on the glass. Where Walter struggles is with turnovers, coughing it up 1.1 times per game.
UCF’s Jaylin Sellers has excelled in an expanded role, playing 31.8 minutes a night. He leads the team with 17.2 points per game on 43.4% from the floor and 31.5% from deep. Though he’s just 6’0 as well, Sellers uses explosive athleticism to attack off the bounce and finish through contact inside. He also shoots 85% from the charity stripe. Like Walter, he contributes as a rebounder but lacks size. Where the UCF guard looks to make his biggest difference is on defense. He racks up 1.3 steals per contest, using quick hands and feet to disrupt opponents.
This matchup features two electric undersized guards. While Walter is the more polished natural scorer, Sellers’ athleticism and defensive prowess gives him a chance to swing the outcome. His ability to pressure Walter, force mistakes, and convert those into easy transition points for himself could unlock a Knights upset. Expect a highly entertaining clash between these talented players.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The current betting odds for the game are yet to be determined. This uncertainty makes pre-game analysis crucial for bettors, with both teams showing strengths and weaknesses that could sway the odds once released.
Baylor Bears Betting Trends
The Bears have gone 2-3 against the spread (ATS) in their last 5 contests. On the road, Baylor is just 3-4 ATS on the year. The OVER has hit in 2 of the Bears’ previous 5 matchups. In their last 11 road games, Baylor has played to the OVER 6 times. This shows that while the Bears have struggled to cover spreads lately, especially away from home, their games have tended to feature lots of scoring.
UCF Knights Betting Trends
UCF is 4-1 ATS over their last 5 outings, outperforming betting expectations. However, on the year they are just 2-3 ATS in away contests. The UNDER has hit in 4 of the Knights’ last 5 games. But at home in the Addition Financial Arena, totals have gone OVER in 6 of UCF’s last 14 games played there.
Baylor Bears vs. UCF Knights 1/31/24 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and trends, this game appears to be a closely contested affair. Baylor’s offensive strength might give them an edge, but UCF’s solid defense and better performance against the spread cannot be overlooked. For bettors, this game might be more about margins than outright winners.
In terms of picks, the better team on paper doesn’t always translate to a better bet. UCF’s strong record against the spread makes them an intriguing option, especially with Baylor’s recent inconsistency. Prop bets could revolve around individual player performances, particularly the key guards, Walter and Sellers. The over/under will likely be influenced by Baylor’s high-scoring games and UCF’s defensive capabilities. Free Sports Selections suggest paying close attention to the final odds and spreads released before the game for the most informed betting decision.
Free Pick and Prediction: Baylor Bears 78, UCF Knights 74.