Who's Playing

UCF @ No. 3 Houston

Current Records: UCF 10-3; Houston 13-1

What to Know

The #3 Houston Cougars are 11-2 against the UCF Knights since February of 2016, and they'll have a chance to extend that success Saturday. Houston and UCF will face off in an American Athletic battle at 2 p.m. ET at Fertitta Center. The Cougars won both of their matches against UCF last season (63-49 and 70-52) and are aiming for the same result this time around.

Houston couldn't have asked for better way to wrap up 2022 than the 89-50 stomp they got on the road against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Wednesday. Houston can attribute much of their success to forward J'Wan Roberts, who had 15 points in addition to nine rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Knights were able to grind out a solid win over the Wichita State Shockers on Wednesday, winning 52-45. UCF's guard Darius Johnson filled up the stat sheet, picking up 15 points along with five boards.

The Cougars are the favorite in this one, with an expected 15.5-point margin of victory. They might be worth taking a chance on against the spread as they are currently on a three-game streak of ATS wins.

Houston is now 13-1 while UCF sits at 10-3. A pair of defensive numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: Houston comes into the game boasting the fewest points allowed per game in college basketball at 49.9. The Knights are not quite as good, but they are no chumps, either: they rank 16th in college basketball when it comes to points allowed per game, with only 59.6 on average.

How To Watch

  • When: Saturday at 2 p.m. ET
  • Where: Fertitta Center -- Houston, Texas
  • TV: ESPN Plus
  • Follow: CBS Sports App
  • Ticket Cost: $18.00

Odds

The Cougars are a big 15.5-point favorite against the Knights, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Cougars as a 16-point favorite.

Over/Under: -111

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Series History

Houston have won 11 out of their last 13 games against UCF.

  • Feb 17, 2022 - Houston 70 vs. UCF 52
  • Jan 29, 2022 - Houston 63 vs. UCF 49
  • Jan 17, 2021 - Houston 75 vs. UCF 58
  • Dec 26, 2020 - Houston 63 vs. UCF 54
  • Jan 03, 2020 - Houston 78 vs. UCF 63
  • Mar 02, 2019 - UCF 69 vs. Houston 64
  • Feb 07, 2019 - Houston 77 vs. UCF 68
  • Mar 09, 2018 - Houston 84 vs. UCF 56
  • Feb 03, 2018 - Houston 69 vs. UCF 65
  • Feb 01, 2017 - Houston 82 vs. UCF 64
  • Jan 14, 2017 - UCF 77 vs. Houston 70
  • Feb 24, 2016 - Houston 88 vs. UCF 61
  • Feb 13, 2016 - Houston 82 vs. UCF 58