The Florida Atlantic Owls take on the UCF Knights in Kissimmee, FL. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
UCF is favored by -8.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -450. The total is set at 162.5 points.
Here’s my FAU vs. UCF predictions and college basketball picks for December 23, 2025.
FAU vs UCF Prediction
My Pick: FAU +8.5 (Play to +8)
My FAU vs UCF best bet is on the Owls to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
FAU vs. UCF Odds
| FAU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 162.5 -110 / -110 | +350 |
| UCF Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 162.5 -110 / -110 | -450 |
- FAU vs UCF spread: UCF -8.5
- FAU vs UCF over/under: 162.5 points
- FAU vs UCF moneyline: FAU +350, UCF -450
FAU vs UCF College Basketball Betting Preview
FAU Basketball
FAU is still trying to re-create the glory days of the Dusty May era. This season's team won't do that, but it has enough talent to compete in this game and in the AAC.
The Owls' offense leads the way, ranking 77th in offensive efficiency. They also shoot the ball well, connecting at a 36% clip with 41% of their shots coming from downtown.
Guard play is the strength of the Owls' roster. A pair of bigger, burlier guards — Devin Vanterpool and Isaiah Elohim — have been tough to contain.
Vanterpool went from a backend rotation player as a freshman to a 16 point-per-game scorer on 46.9% shooting. He's more of a volume shooter from deep, but he can drill looks. Elohim is a freakish athlete who not only provides flashy dunks but also shoots 43% from deep.
In many ways, the key to fully unlocking the Owls' offense rests on Kanaan Carlyle. And I'm not sure that's a good thing. There's never been a shot Carlyle hesitates to take, as he attempts over 10 per game while shooting 42% from the field and 28% from deep.
The Owls' perimeter defense has been woeful, at best. Teams shoot a lights-out 36% from deep against them, which is the reason FAU sits 177th in defensive efficiency.
However, variance is a big factor in 3-point defense. We'll see if the Owls remain this bad at defending the arc all season long. What I will say is UCF doesn't have shooting bigs, as they want to set screens and crash the glass. That could be to the benefit of FAU.
Speaking of rebounding, that'll be a key. UCF grabs offensive boards at a 40% clip. You can thank Jamichael Stillwell for that. FAU has some towering length with 6-foot-10 Devin Williams and 6-foot-11 Xander Pintelon, so that could neutralize one of the biggest strengths UCF has.
UCF Basketball
It might come as a surprise, but UCF is 43rd in KenPom and has a 10-1 record.
The Knights have played the system well, overpowering a pretty lousy schedule.
In fairness, UCF has a top-50 win over Texas A&M, and the lone loss came to a top-10 team in Vandy.
Here's why I don't think UCF is actually a top-45 level squad: Over the past five games, the Knights' best opponent was Towson (No. 131 in KenPom), and the Knights jumped from 68th to 43rd in KenPom in that stretch.
Ladies and gents, that's what we call "playing the system."
UCF has been better than I thought offensively, ranking 24th in offensive efficiency. The Knights are among the better shooting teams, hitting 40% from downtown, a top-10 mark nationally.
However, they attempt 3s on just 35% of their field goals, so they don't shoot a ton of from beyond the arc.
Four players average double-digit points for UCF, led by former Kentucky and Georgetown forward Jordan Burks with 13 points. The 6-foot-9 versatile forward is a real weapon, as he scores inside and out and shoots 40% from deep.
Riley Kugel is the other name to watch as a scorer. He's the same boom-or-bust guy he's always been, shooting 39% from the field and 40% from 3.
Defense is a real problem for Johnny Dawkins' squad.
UCF ranks 92nd in KenPom's defensive efficiency. The Knights allow some really strong looks, leading to them sitting 124th in effective field goal percentage defense.
FAU vs. UCF Betting Analysis
I'm rolling with FAU getting the points. Fading UCF is something I've wanted to do when the proper matchup came up, and this feels like the one.
The Knights just aren't top-45 good — at least not from a talent standpoint, and I'm even weary to say their performances are that of a top-45 team.
They beat an undermanned Texas A&M squad and have done little else.
Roll with the 'dog here.
My Pick: FAU +8.5 (Play to +8)
