Kansas vs. Central Florida, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, January 3, 2026

By: Bosun Akinpelu Published 01/03/2026, 06:18 AM ET
Jayhawks vs. Knights prediction
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#17 Kansas (10-3, 0-0 Big 12) will be trying to avoid an upset when they visit Addition Financial Arena on Saturday afternoon to face UCF (11-1, 0-0 Big 12) at 2 PM. ET. Read on to find out which team picks up the win in this Jayhawks vs. Knights prediction. If you are struggling to pick winners, you've come to the right place. We have the best NCAAB Predictions available. 

The Jayhawks are coming off a 90-61 win over Davidson as 14.5-point favorites. The Knights are coming off an 85-80 win over FAU as 8.5-point favorites.

Kansas is 3-1 in four games against UCF.

Kansas Going For Fifth Consecutive Win

The Jayhawks followed up their loss to #5 UConn with four straight wins. They have won three straight games against the Knights and will try to keep the momentum going with a win on Saturday.

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Kansas averages 75.8 points per game. They’ve made 46.8 percent of their field goals and 35.6 percent of their three-pointers.

Darryn Peterson leads the Jayhawks with 19.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Flory Bidunga averages 14.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, while Tre White averages 14.5 points and seven rebounds per game.

Kansas is giving up 63.3 points per game. Opponents have made 36.6 percent of their field goals and 25.2 percent of their three-pointers against them.

UCF Going For 11th Consecutive Win

The Knights have been on a roll since their loss to Vanderbilt in their second game of the season, reeling off 10 straight wins. They are facing their toughest test of the season so far and will try to prove they are legitimate contenders in the Big 12 with a win on Saturday.

UCF averages 88.3 points per game. They’ve made 49.6 percent of their field goals and 39.8 percent of their three-pointers.

Jordan Burks averages 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Riley Kugel averages 13.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, while Themus Fulks averages 13.3 points and 7.2 assists per game.

UCF is giving up 74.9 points per game. Opponents have made 42.4 percent of their field goals and 33.1 percent of their three-pointers.

Kansas vs. UCF Picks

Point Spread Pick for Kansas vs. UCF

  • Kansas Jayhawks to cover. (4 Units)

Both teams are playing well, but Kansas has the edge here because they’re playing well offensively, scoring 80 points per game in their last three games, while making 49 percent of their shots. They’ve been the better team at the charity stripe, making over 76 percent of their free throws on the road. They rebound the ball well and grab more than eight offensive rebounds per game, which will give them extra-scoring chances. They also do a good job of protecting the ball and won’t give up many easy-scoring chances. The Knights aren’t very good defensively, and they play worse at home, giving up more than 75 points per game, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Jayhawks. Go with Kansas to cover the spread.

Over/Under Pick for Kansas vs. UCF

  • Over (4 Units)

The Jayhawks average 75.8 points per game. They play at the 268th-fastest pace in the nation, averaging 69.9 possessions per game, and they’re facing a team that is giving up 75.3 points per game at home. The Knights average 88.3 points per game. They play at the 97th-fastest pace in the nation, averaging 73.6 possessions per game, and they’re facing a team that is giving up 71.1 points per game on the road. Expect these teams to score enough points to push the score over the total. The Jayhawks and Knights played over the total in their last two meetings.

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