The Missouri Tigers are off to a brilliant 9-1 start to the 2022-23 NCAA Basketball season, second in the Southwestern Conference, and suffered their first loss of the season against the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks (95-67).
They will now take on the UCF Knights, who are on a great 8-2 start as well, second in the American Athletic Conference, and on a three-game winning streak.
They won against the Ole Miss Rebels (72-61) in their previous outing. The game will be held at the FLA Live Arena on Saturday (December 17), a neutral venue for both teams. The Tigers are looking to bounce back after their first loss whereas the Knights are aiming to continue their winning run.
Missouri Tigers vs Central Florida Knights: Betting Odds
The Tigers have started the season on an almost perfect note, winning nine games and losing just one. They faced defeat at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks (95-67). However, their most impressive wins so far have come against the Penn Quakers (92-85), the Wichita State Shockers (88-84), and the SIU Edwardsville Cougars (105-80).
The team is easily one of the best in the league when it comes to scoring. They are averaging 90.4 points per game, which ranks 3rd in the league. However, they are conceding 75.9 points.
The UCF Knights have also started the season on a very positive note. They have eight wins and only two losses so far. The losses have come against teams like the UNC Ashville Bulldogs (98-95) and the No.23 Miami Hurricanes (66-64). The team is average in offense, scoring 71.7 points per game but has one of the best defenses, conceding only 60.4 points.
Missouri Tigers vs Central Florida Knights: Match Details
Fixture: Missouri Tigers @ Central Florida Knights
Date & Time: Saturday, December 17, 12:00 p.m ET
Venue: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, Florida
Missouri Tigers vs Central Florida Knights: Prediction
The Knights are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games after a straight win. They are also 5-1 against the spread in their last six games after an against-the-spread win and 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games overall.
The two teams have only met twice in the league before and Missouri has come out as winners on both occasions. It will be a battle between the Tigers' offense versus the Knights' defense. Expect a close game nevertheless.