UCF vs Arizona State Prediction, Odds, Picks for College Basketball

It’s time to continue our college basketball odds series with the UCF-Arizona State prediction and pick. Learn how to watch UCF-Arizona State.

Arizona State hosted Baylor on Saturday and put up a good fight. If you had a ticket for the state of Arizona plus 3.5 like us, your heart was torn apart at the very end. It looked like Arizona State would close the gap late in the game, but the game went into overtime and Baylor won by six points, 72-66. Bad shots happen, and that was certainly one of them. As we move into the second Big 12 home game for ASU, it’s very clear that the Sun Devils – regardless of any betting thoughts – have to win this game.

Arizona State was blown out on the road in the Big 12 contest, swept by Kansas and BIU. The Sun Devils were hoping they could hold serve at home and stay in the Big 12. That’s why Baylor’s loss is costly. ASU fell short to go 2-2 in Big 12 play. Baylor’s loss dropped the Devils to 1-3 in the conference. With UCF — definitely not a quality NCAA Tournament team — coming to Tempe, the Sun Devils simply have to avoid going 1-4 with a lot of Big 12 games coming up on the schedule. ASU has to fight back to make it 2-3. The road through the Big 12 will get tougher, not easier, after this game.

UCF beat Texas Tech on the road this season, but that result feels more like an outlier than an indicator of this team. UCF lost by 51 at home to Kansas. The Knights struggled with Colorado at home before winning by one point with a late comeback. If you’re trying to compare these two teams, ASU crushed Colorado at home in a blowout. The Sun Devils made quick work of the Buffaloes, while UCF put up an uphill battle against the Buffs for much of the night, trailing by eight midway through the second half before a late push saved the game in the final seconds.

It’s not an easy situation to bet on for calibration. ASU appears to be the better team, but UCF has played well on the road at times and is also in must-win territory after losing to Arizona on Saturday. Both teams feel they are desperate. UCF is at the end of a long road trip away from its home base in Orlando. Arizona State went into overtime on Saturday and could be a little depleted. There is a lot to unpack here, and analysis could easily lead to paralysis.

Here’s UCF-Arizona State College basketball oddscourtesy of FanDuel

College Basketball Odds: UCF-Arizona State Odds

UCF: +5.5 (-110)

Moneilines: +190

Arizona State: -5.5 (-110)

Moneilines: -235

Over: 146.5 (-110)

Under: 146.5 (-110)

How to watch UCF vs. Arizona State

Time: 11pm ET/8pm PT

Television: ESPNU

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Why UCF will cover the spread/win

Arizona State played a grueling overtime game against Baylor and had to work hard to come back from a nine-point deficit midway through the game. The Sun Devils may not have their legs under them for this game. Add in the fact that UCF beat Texas Tech — a good team — and it seems perfectly reasonable that the Knights can not only cover, but win outright and cash in on that plus ticket on the money line.

Why Arizona State will cover the spread/win

UCF is a not-so-good team that struggles to play consistently. The Knights are on the road playing in a completely different part of the country compared to their home base in Orlando. They have been in the state of Arizona for several days, and a few days before they were in Tucson. Travel fatigue could lead to a sluggish performance against an Arizona State team that is in winning mode. It’s not setting up well for UCF here.

Final UCF-Arizona State Prediction and Pick

Our target is ASU, but we don’t trust any of these teams. Pass this one on.

Final forecast and pick UCF-Arizona State: Arizona State -5.5