The UCF Knights take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Cincinnati is favored by 4 points on the spread with a moneyline of -185. The total is set at 145.5 points.
Here’s my UCF vs. Cincinnati predictions and college basketball picks for February 8, 2026.
UCF vs Cincinnati Prediction
My Pick: UCF +4
My UCF vs Cincinnati best bet is on the Knights 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.
UCF vs. Cincinnati Odds
| UCF Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 145.5 -110 / -110 | +155 |
| Cincinnati Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 145.5 -110 / -110 | -185 |
- UCF vs Cincinnati spread: Cincinnati -4
- UCF vs Cincinnati over/under: 145.5 points
- UCF vs Cincinnati moneyline: UCF +155, Cincinnati -185
UCF vs Cincinnati College Basketball Betting Preview
UCF Basketball
The Knights come into this matchup off a bad loss to Houston, where nothing went right on either end of the court. However, we've seen them play down against elite competition before and bounce back well.
The key for UCF to get back on track offensively in this matchup is to score in the paint. For this offense, that means Themus Fulks penetrating and finishing, while also getting big man Jamichael Stillwell involved on the low block.
This is much easier said than done against a Cincinnati team that has a ton of size in the paint in the form of Baba Miller and Moustapha Thiam. But the Knights are limited offensively if they struggle down low.
UCF has quietly been very efficient from beyond the arc, ranking 23rd in 3-point rate. While the Knights are far from a high-volume 3-point team, a few early makes could force the Bearcats to play over high-ball screens and open up room to work in the paint.
Cincinnati Basketball
On the other side of this matchup, the Bearcats haven't given us much to write home about. They come into this one ranked 210th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 286th in effective field goal rate.
You would think that with the size they possess, and how skilled their big men are around the rim, they'd be more efficient. However, the issue is getting them the ball with good positioning.
When your two most efficient offensive options only average 14 two-point field goal attempts per game combined, you are bound to underperform.
This being the case, Cincy has attempted far too many 3s, ranking 82nd in 3-point rate, while ranking 330th in 3-point field goal percentage.
As I talked about above, the Knights have skill and size of their own, and the Bearcats haven't shown they can make shots from any other area of the floor with consistency.
There's not much to instill confidence in the Bearcats getting on track here.
UCF vs. Cincinnati Betting Analysis
At a quick glance, it's easy to see which side you'd want to back here. The Knights are substantially better on the offensive end and have the ability to test the Bearcats at all three levels.
However, this game will be decided on the other end of the floor. Cincy has been abysmal offensively and has shown no signs of turning it around.
Even if the Bearcats can make this game a grind with their defense, the Knights will generate offense in stretches, and that will be enough to get the job done.
My Pick: UCF +4
