PREMIUM
3-Game NCAAB SWEEPER PASS
(NCAAB) Cincinnati vs. Central Florida,
Point Spread: -5.50 | -110.00 Cincinnati (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -5.50 | -110.00 Cincinnati (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The No. 15 Cincinnati Bearcats are 25-3 overall and at 14-1 in AAC play, need a win on the road Sunday to stay in a first-place tie with red-hot SMU (winners of 11 straight and 21 of 22) atop the conference. Cincy travels to Orlando Sunday afternoon to face the UCF Knights, who check in at 18-10 overall, including 9-7 in league play.
Cincinnati: The Beracats have lost just once in their last 19 games but it was at SMU, as the two teams match win-for-win as the regular season comes to a close next weekend. Cincinnati jumped out to a 24-point first-half lead and led Memphis by 19 at the half on Thursday, only to see (allow?) the Tigers to shoot 58 percent after the break (54.4% for the game) and draw within six before holding on for an 87-74 victory. "This time of year you're just trying to continue to win and get to the next game," head coach Mick Cronin said. "We learn our lessons. We've got to obviously play a better defensive game." Defensive lapses are rare for Cincy, as the Bearcats allow just 61.4 PPG (8th) on 38.2% shooting (6th). A six-man rotation averages between 7.3 and 13.9 PPG. Up front it's the 6-9 Washington (13.9 & 7.0) and the 6-8 Clark (10.2 & 7.9) while the team's four-guard perimeter group is led by Evans (13.6 & 4.0) and PG Caupain (10.1-4.6-4.6).
UCF: Head coach Johnny Dawkins was run out at Stanford (the Cardinal wanted NCAA not NIT appearances) but landed here in Orlando and has done an excellent job. UCF had won 13,12 and 12 games the previous three years but already owns 18 wins in 2016-17 and comes into this game on a three-game winning streak, after a slump saw the Knights lose six of seven from Jan. 22 to Feb, 11. All five UCF starters scored in double figures Wednesday at Temple, as the team came back from 11 points down in the second half to pull off a 71-69 victory. Guards Taylor (16.7-4.4-3.7) and Williams (15.4 & 4.8) are the leading scorers but no one can fail to notice the 7-6 Tacko Fall (11.9 & 9.7).
The pick: The Bearcats' 25-3 record through 28 games is the best during Cronin's 11-year tenure and it doesn't look like SMU plans on 'blinking' down the stretch, so the Bearcats need to keep pace. UCF is 12-3 SU at home but hasn't beaten a ranked foe since a 68-63 decision over Connecticut back in November of 2011. Cincinnati leads the all-time series 8-0, with seven of those wins coming since both teams joined the AAC. Nothing changes here. Make Cincy an 8* play.
Cincinnati: The Beracats have lost just once in their last 19 games but it was at SMU, as the two teams match win-for-win as the regular season comes to a close next weekend. Cincinnati jumped out to a 24-point first-half lead and led Memphis by 19 at the half on Thursday, only to see (allow?) the Tigers to shoot 58 percent after the break (54.4% for the game) and draw within six before holding on for an 87-74 victory. "This time of year you're just trying to continue to win and get to the next game," head coach Mick Cronin said. "We learn our lessons. We've got to obviously play a better defensive game." Defensive lapses are rare for Cincy, as the Bearcats allow just 61.4 PPG (8th) on 38.2% shooting (6th). A six-man rotation averages between 7.3 and 13.9 PPG. Up front it's the 6-9 Washington (13.9 & 7.0) and the 6-8 Clark (10.2 & 7.9) while the team's four-guard perimeter group is led by Evans (13.6 & 4.0) and PG Caupain (10.1-4.6-4.6).
UCF: Head coach Johnny Dawkins was run out at Stanford (the Cardinal wanted NCAA not NIT appearances) but landed here in Orlando and has done an excellent job. UCF had won 13,12 and 12 games the previous three years but already owns 18 wins in 2016-17 and comes into this game on a three-game winning streak, after a slump saw the Knights lose six of seven from Jan. 22 to Feb, 11. All five UCF starters scored in double figures Wednesday at Temple, as the team came back from 11 points down in the second half to pull off a 71-69 victory. Guards Taylor (16.7-4.4-3.7) and Williams (15.4 & 4.8) are the leading scorers but no one can fail to notice the 7-6 Tacko Fall (11.9 & 9.7).
The pick: The Bearcats' 25-3 record through 28 games is the best during Cronin's 11-year tenure and it doesn't look like SMU plans on 'blinking' down the stretch, so the Bearcats need to keep pace. UCF is 12-3 SU at home but hasn't beaten a ranked foe since a 68-63 decision over Connecticut back in November of 2011. Cincinnati leads the all-time series 8-0, with seven of those wins coming since both teams joined the AAC. Nothing changes here. Make Cincy an 8* play.
