The No. 17 Kansas Jayhawks (10-3) take on the UCF Knights (11-1) in Orlando, Florida. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Kansas is favored by 4.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -205. The total is set at 152 points.
Here’s my Kansas vs. UCF prediction and college basketball picks for January 3, 2026.
Kansas vs UCF Predictions, Picks
My Pick: Kansas -4.5
My Kansas vs UCF best bet is on the Jayhawks 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.
Kansas vs. UCF Odds, Spread, Over/Under
| Kansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 152 -110 / -110 | -205 |
| UCF Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 152 -110 / -110 | +170 |
- Kansas vs UCF spread: Kansas -4.5
- Kansas vs UCF over/under: 152 points
- Kansas vs UCF moneyline: Kansas -205, UCF +170
Kansas vs UCF Game Preview
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
Darryn Peterson is a game time decision for Kansas' Big 12 opener on Saturday, as he's been battling an injury since the Jayhawks’ win at NC State. Even with the absence of Peterson, Kansas hasn't lost a step, as it's won four in a row and seven of its last eight.
Melvin Council Jr. has been phenomenal for Kansas as of late, as his shooting has come out of nowhere. He started the season 5-of-27 (19%) from 3 in the first 10 games, but he's 13-of-23 (57%) from deep in the last three games, bumping his 3-point percentage from 19% to 36%.
Tre White has been one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball, averaging almost 15 points per game on eight shots, while putting up 52/43/86 shooting splits.
Where Kansas has an edge in this game is in the frontcourt. Flory Bidunga is a walking 15/10 every game and UCF's weakness is its interior defense. I expect Bidunga to have a 20-point, 15-rebound performance.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
UCF was predicted to finish at the bottom of the Big 12 this season and so far, it looks far from that expectation. The Knights' only loss is to Vanderbilt and I was in attendance for their exhibition at Duke, in which UCF was leading early in the second half.
A matchup I'm excited to watch is Themus Fulks play against Council.
Fulks has been consistent all season for the Knights. He averages seven assists per game, including his 12-assist performance in his last outing. Fulks has also been a reliable scorer recently, scoring 20 or more in three of the last four games.
Jordan Burks and Riley Kugel lead the team in scoring at 14 points per game.
Burks has proven to be able to hit tough shots all season, as he's shooting 48% on contested 3-pointers. That's something the Knights will need for them to pull off the upset.
Kugel has been in a shooting slump in his last five games, hitting 14-of-56 from the field and 2-of-18 from 3. Those two made 3s did come in the last game, so maybe that's an encouraging sign that Kugel is coming out of his slump.
How To Make Kansas vs. UCF Picks
Kansas holds opponents to 25% from 3 (second in NCAA) and it's facing a UCF team that shoots 40% from downtown (11th in NCAA). I like the Jayhawks to force UCF into tough shots in the half-court.
Yes, Burks can hit tough shots, but UCF will need Kugel to get it going offensively, and I don't trust him to do so against a Kansas team that's very good at forcing teams into difficult looks.
I alluded to it earlier, Bidunga should have a big game. UCF doesn't have the frontcourt to stop him. Bidunga hasn't scored 20 points since Kansas' game against Princeton, but I expect that to change on Saturday.
My Pick: Kansas -4.5
