The Houston Cougars and UCF Knights continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.
Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. central on CBS Sports Network. The Cougars (13-3, 5-0 in Big 12) are currently No. 10, while the Knights (12-4, 3-2 in Big 12) are unranked.
Saturday’s match up features two teams coming off wins. The Houston Cougars handled West Virginia 70-54 on Wednesday night, while UCF beat Arizona State earlier in the week in Tempe. Houston is on a roll, having won nine games in a row dating back to November 30th.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch Houston vs. UCF Basketball
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. CT
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
Site: Additional Financial Arena, Orlando, Florida
Houston vs. UCF Basketball Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Houston -13
Current Line: Houston -13.5
Over/Under: 138
Related: Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Two Teams Swap in Top 5
Houston vs. UCF Basketball Predictions
UCF has been a bit of a surprise so far on Big 12 play at 3-2, but while their Texas Tech win is impressive, wins vs. Colorado and Arizona State were expected, and their two losses come against the better competition in the Big 12 (Kansas, Arizona).
Meantime Houston is absolutely firing on all cylinders and Kelvin Sampson has this team looking like the team we thought they would be before the season. Not only are they playing their usual great defense, ranking 2nd in Big 12 play in opponent field goal percentage, they’ve got the offense humming. The Cougars rank No. 3 in Big 12 action in field goal percentage, and rank No. 1 in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage by a wide margin: 41.6% to Texas Tech (No. 2) 37.9%.
Oh, and to make matters worse, UCF has been the worst in Big 12 play in defending the 3-point line, giving up 40.4% from deep. That’s not a good recipe.
UCF will need Keyshawn Hall to put on a monster performance like he did this week when he scored 40 vs. Arizona State to feel like they have a shot in this game. But with the defensive play of that Houston backcourt, I don’t see it happening. Houston rolls.
Houston 76, UCF 61
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Houston (91.1% Chance of Winning)
