NCAAB · Final

UCF Knights Defeat Kansas Jayhawks 81-75 in Close Contest

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · Addition Financial Arena

UCF Knights 81, Kansas Jayhawks 75, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Kansas Jayhawks vs UCF Knights?

UCF Knights beat Kansas Jayhawks 81-75 at Addition Financial Arena on January 3, 2026.

Who was favored in Kansas Jayhawks vs UCF Knights?

Kansas Jayhawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.

In a thrilling matchup, the UCF Knights edged out the Kansas Jayhawks with a final score of 81-75 at the Addition Financial Arena. This victory marks the Knights' impressive home record, now standing at 12-1 overall and 10-0 in their last ten games, showcasing their dominance on their home court. The Knights have averaged 88.5 points in their last ten games while allowing 71.6 points, demonstrating a potent offense coupled with a defense that has shown vulnerability at times.

The Jayhawks, now 10-4 overall, have also been performing well, with an 8-2 record in their last ten games and a current winning streak of four games. They have averaged 74.1 points scored and allowed 63.9 points during this stretch. Despite their recent success, they struggled to contain the Knights, particularly in the second half of the game.

Historically, this matchup has favored Kansas, as the Knights had lost all three previous meetings against the Jayhawks, with the most recent encounter resulting in a 94-98 loss on March 13, 2025. However, UCF's recent form and home advantage played a crucial role in their victory this time.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams have managed to maintain a relatively healthy roster, contributing to their competitive performances this season. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Kansas favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 157.5. The odds indicated a strong belief in the Jayhawks' ability to perform, but the Knights' home-court advantage proved decisive.

The game conditions were favorable for both teams, with no adverse weather or venue issues reported. As the game progressed, viewers witnessed a tightly contested battle, especially in the closing moments. Key scoring plays included free throws from Tre White that brought Kansas close, but UCF's Riley Kugel and Devan Cambridge responded effectively to maintain their lead.

Overall, this matchup highlighted UCF's growth as a formidable opponent in the NCAAB landscape, while Kansas will need to regroup and address their defensive lapses in future games.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	KU -4.5	157.5 o -108 / u -112	Kansas Jayhawks -198 · UCF Knights +164

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsRiley Kugel19UCF Knights
AssistsThemus Fulks3UCF Knights
ReboundsDevan Cambridge8UCF Knights
PointsDarryn Peterson26Kansas Jayhawks
AssistsTre White2Kansas Jayhawks
ReboundsTre White11Kansas Jayhawks

Recent form

UCF Knights

Last 10: 10-0Streak W1088.5 scored · 71.6 allowed per game9-0 at home

W85-80vs Florida Atlantic OwlsDec 23
W102-80vs Florida Gulf Coast EaglesDec 20
W81-63vs Mercer BearsDec 18
W86-61vs Towson TigersDec 7
W82-57vs VMI KeydetsNov 29
W102-91vs Quinnipiac BobcatsNov 26
W77-67vs Pittsburgh PanthersNov 21
W87-83vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesNov 18
W86-74at Texas A&M AggiesNov 15
W97-60vs Florida A&M RattlersNov 12

Kansas Jayhawks

Last 10: 8-2Streak W474.1 scored · 63.9 allowed per game2-1 away

W90-61vs Davidson WildcatsDec 23
W73-49vs Towson TigersDec 17
W77-76at NC State WolfpackDec 13
W80-60vs Missouri TigersDec 7
L56-61vs UConn HuskiesDec 3
W81-76at Tennessee VolunteersNov 27
W71-60vs Syracuse OrangeNov 25
W71-61vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishNov 24
L66-78at Duke Blue DevilsNov 19
W76-57vs Princeton TigersNov 15

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Arizona	36-3	-	16-2
Houston	30-7	2	14-4
Iowa State	29-8	4	12-6
Kansas	24-11	4	12-6
Texas Tech	23-11	4	12-6
TCU	23-12	5	11-7
BYU	23-12	7	9-9
UCF	21-12	7	9-9
West Virginia	21-14	7	9-9
Cincinnati	18-15	7	9-9
Colorado	17-16	9	7-11
Arizona State	17-16	9	7-11
Oklahoma State	20-15	10	6-12
Baylor	17-17	10	6-12
Kansas State	12-20	13	3-15
Utah	10-22	14	2-16

Box score

Stat	Kansas Jayhawks	UCF Knights
Field goals	25-58	28-64
Field goal %	43	44
Three-pointers	8-23	7-23
Three-point %	35	30
Free throws	17-23	18-26
Free throw %	74	69
Rebounds	39	38
Offensive rebounds	11	13
Defensive rebounds	28	25
Assists	11	10
Steals	3	4
Blocks	7	2
Turnovers	12	6
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	1
Technical fouls, total	0	1
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	15
Fast-break points	16	15
Points in the paint	30	38
Fouls	18	18
Largest lead	6	9
Lead changes	8	8
Time in front	25	67

How the scoring went

2nd Half44-48Flory Bidunga makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-50John Bol makes 2-foot hook shot (Jordan Burks assists)
2nd Half46-50Melvin Council Jr. makes 11-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half46-52Riley Kugel makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half48-52Melvin Council Jr. makes 5-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half50-52Melvin Council Jr. makes driving layup
2nd Half51-52Melvin Council Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half51-54Chris Johnson makes driving layup (Themus Fulks assists)
2nd Half53-54Melvin Council Jr. makes driving layup
2nd Half53-56Devan Cambridge makes layup
2nd Half56-56Melvin Council Jr. makes 27-foot three pointer
2nd Half56-58Jeremy Foumena makes 3-foot hook shot (Devan Cambridge assists)
2nd Half59-58Darryn Peterson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Elmarko Jackson assists)
2nd Half59-59Devan Cambridge makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-60Devan Cambridge makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-61Devan Cambridge makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-62Devan Cambridge makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-65Jordan Burks makes 22-foot three point jumper (Chris Johnson assists)
2nd Half61-65Melvin Council Jr. makes driving layup (Flory Bidunga assists)
2nd Half61-66Jordan Burks makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-68Jordan Burks makes driving layup
2nd Half61-69Themus Fulks makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-70Themus Fulks makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-70Flory Bidunga makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-70Melvin Council Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-70Melvin Council Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-70Tre White makes layup (Kohl Rosario assists)
2nd Half68-70Flory Bidunga makes layup (Tre White assists)
2nd Half70-70Melvin Council Jr. makes driving layup
2nd Half70-72Riley Kugel makes layup
2nd Half72-72Melvin Council Jr. makes driving layup
2nd Half72-75Jordan Burks makes 23-foot three point jumper (Themus Fulks assists)
2nd Half72-76Themus Fulks makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half73-76Tre White makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half74-76Tre White makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half75-76Tre White makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half75-78Riley Kugel makes layup (Chris Johnson assists)
2nd Half75-79Riley Kugel makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half75-80Devan Cambridge makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half75-81Devan Cambridge makes free throw 2 of 2