The Arizona Wildcats will look to remain undefeated as they visit the UCF Knights on Saturday afternoon.
The Knights are having a solid season, but they don’t have enough to keep up with the Wildcats, and I’m taking the visitors to cover the spread in my Arizona vs. UCF predictions.
Let’s dive into this Big 12 matchup and see where I’m placing my bets in my college basketball picks for Saturday, January 17.
Arizona vs UCF prediction
Arizona vs UCF best bet: Arizona Wildcats -9 (-110)
It’s easy to assume that the Arizona Wildcats will simply run over all but the best competition it faces right now, but the UCF Knights isn’t a team to be overlooked. Led by Riley Kugel (14.8 ppg), this team features four players scoring 12+ ppg, and has gone 14-2 on the year against a fairly tough schedule.
But that’s still not a resume that stacks up against undefeated Arizona. The Wildcats are in the conversation as potentially the best team in the country and are one of only three teams without a loss on the season.
Arizona is elite on both offense and defense. The Wildcats have five players scoring in double figures, and are shooting an impressive 52% from the field while scoring 91.0 ppg on the year.
They’re also only allowing 68.8 ppg – giving them an outrageous average margin of victory of 22.2 points – and rank within the top ten nationally in both offensive and defensive rating this season.
UCF may be able to keep on the offensive end for a while, but it’s hard to see the Knights containing Arizona on the defensive end, as they’ve allowed each of their last six opponents to score at least 72 points and are giving up 75.4 ppg on the year.
The Wildcats should eventually pull away by putting up a ton of points, and I’m taking them to cover.
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Arizona vs UCF same-game parlay
Arizona Wildcats -9
Koa Peat Over 16.5 points
Over 165.5
These teams both play relatively up-tempo basketball, and Arizona has hit the Over in each of its last six games, so I’m pairing an Over bet with the Wildcats in my SGP today.
I’ll also take Arizona freshman Koa Peat to go Over his scoring total of 16.5 points, as he’s hit this total in four of his last five games.
Arizona vs UCF SGP
- Arizona Wildcats -9
- Koa Peat Over 16.5 points
- Over 165.5
Our beyond the arc SGP: Peat Batters Knights!
Arizona Wildcats -9
Koa Peat Over 16.5 points
Koa Peat Over 7.5 rebounds
Over 165.5
I’m also backing Peat to hit his rebounding total today after he’s been able to grab double-digit boards in three of his last five games.
Arizona vs UCF SGP
- Arizona Wildcats -9
- Koa Peat Over 16.5 points
- Koa Peat Over 7.5 rebounds
- Over 165.5
Arizona vs UCF odds
- Spread: Arizona -9.5 (-110) | UCF +9.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Arizona -500 | UCF +383
- Over/Under: Over 165 (-110) | Under 165 (-110)
Arizona vs UCF betting trend to know
Arizona is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games overall. Find more college basketball betting trends for Arizona vs. UCF.
How to watch Arizona vs UCF
| Location | Addition Financial Arena, Orlando, FL |
| Date | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
Arizona vs UCF key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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