.jpg "UCF-at-Wichita-State-(ESPN2)")
A two-game losing streak has dropped the Wichita State Shockers from the top-10 nationally. It is looking like only a speed bump, not a true worry, as the team should be able to bounce back next time out when it hosts the Central Florida Knights.
Wichita State might be a smaller program but it has the talent to hang with the better teams in the country. The Shockers have played well at home this season and should be able to continue that trend.
Central Florida only trails the Shockers by one game in the American Conference standings but it will be a tall task for the Knights to pull even. The Knights should be happy by simply hanging close as Wichita State is too tough of a team to get the upset against.
This war on the floor will go down Thursday, January 25, 2018, at 9 p.m. ET at the Charles Koch Arena. This game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Central Florida is 13-6 straight up and 10-7 against the spread. The Knights have played six road games on the season and covered in four of them. UCF has gone 4-2 against the spread as the underdog on the year.
Wichita State is 15-4 straight up and 7-10 against the spread. The Shockers have covered in three of eight attempts at home this season. Wichita State has been favored in every one of its games this season and will certainly be giving points again in this one.
Player To Watch
Landry Shamet — Wichita State’s sophomore guard is the team’s leading scorer this season and is a nominee for this year’s John R. Wooden Award. He’ll be looking to bounce back from a poor outing against Houston on Saturday.
Shamet finished with just seven points in the Shockers’ 73-59 loss to the Cougars on Thursday. He was just 2-of-10 from the field, including 1-of-6 from behind the arc.
Shamet is averaging 15.6 points and 5.2 assists per game. He is one the team’s strongest shooters, averaging 52.7 percent from the field and 50 percent at the three-point line this year.
Key Stat
59,1. That’s the number of points Central Florida is allowing this season. The Knights are only averaging 63.6 points per contest as they play at one of the slowest paces in college basketball.
UCF had a recent loss to Cincinnati in which the final score was just 49-38, a total that plenty of teams have reached at halftime of games. WIchita State averages 83.2 points per game but is unlikely to get close to that total as the Knights slow the game down.
Central Florida has hit the “under” in all but three games this season, which is definitely something to keep in mind when the scoring total is released.
Free NCAA Men’s Basketball ATS Picks
Look for Wichita State to break out of its funk in a big way in this one. The Shockers are the more talented team and should have no trouble taking care of business at home in this one.
Central Florida does not have enough firepower to keep up. Look for Wichita State to make a run and then glide to the victory. The spread should be a decent size but the Shockers may still be able to cover. Consider the “under” in this one depending on where the total comes in as the Knights will have a tough time putting up points against a good defense on the other side.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds: Wichita State 70, Central Florida 55
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
