NCAAB Odds, Pick for Oklahoma vs UCF

There are no nights off in the Big 12 this season, and Saturday's matchup between Oklahoma and UCF is no different.

The Knights are 3-5 in conference play and in desperate need of a victory at home over a quality opponent.

Meanwhile, the Sooners bounced back from an 0-2 homestand with a road victory over Kansas State on Tuesday night.

Oklahoma is 4-4 in conference play and now has a great opportunity to add a third conference road win.

Oklahoma opened as a very small favorite in what should be a competitive battle in Orlando.

Oklahoma had a near perfect non-conference portion of the season, and is now learning to deal with the grind that is Big 12 play.

Coach Porter Moser called last year's team the "least athletic" in the conference, but he effectively used the transfer portal to change that narrative for this year.

The Sooners defense held Kansas State without a field goal for the first nine minutes of play on Tuesday, which allowed them to comfortably win that game by 20 points.

Oklahoma is also a very solid rebounding team, with John Hugley IV and Sam Godwin forming as a very formidable duo in the paint.

In recent home losses to Texas and Texas Tech, the offense has gone stagnant for stretches. In watching the Sooners throughout the year, the guards can sometimes fall in love with the 3, which hurts the offensive rhythm.

Taking care of the ball will also be critical against a UCF defense that forces its fair share of turnovers.

It's never easy making the jump into a power conference, but coach Johnny Dawkins' team has handled the transition respectably.

The Knights notched a massive win at home over Kansas earlier last month and also won at Texas, which was followed by a "Horns Down" celebration that turned viral.

However, you won't find many teams in the country with starker offensive to defensive splits than UCF.

Per KenPom's adjusted efficiency rankings, the Knights are 202nd on offense and 11th on defense.

In short, Central Florida can guard with the best of them, but an inability to consistently put the ball in the basket has plagued them all season.

The lack of offensive firepower is especially concerning in this matchup because Oklahoma doesn't give up many clean looks.

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The Sooners have proven all season that they are comfortable winning games on the road. Defense travels, and Moser's team boasts an elite defense.

I think Oklahoma will be able to bother UCF's offense in the half-court, and make the Knights earn every bucket they get.

On the other end, Javian McCollum and Otega Oweh should be able to get theirs, even if it means creating late in the shot clock.

Give me Oklahoma to secure the road win and cover the number.

Pick: Oklahoma -1.5 | Small Lean on Under 135.5