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Wichita State heads to Birmingham to face UAB on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET at Bartow Arena on ESPNU. This is an AAC conference spot with a short number, UAB laying 3.5 at home, and it makes sense on paper. The Blazers have been strong in their building at 7-2, while Wichita State has had some uneven road stretches even when the offense is clicking.
The way I see it, this game comes down to rebound pressure and shot quality. Wichita State can absolutely hang if they win the glass and keep UAB out of transition, but UAB has the type of interior presence and scoring depth that can turn a close game into a two-possession margin fast. The total at 150.5 sits in that uncomfortable middle zone where you need a reasonably clean offensive game to clear it.
Wichita State Shockers vs UAB Blazers Odds
These are the current betting lines, but you should monitor movement and updated numbers on the latest NCAAB odds before tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State Shockers | +133 | +3.5 (-109) | O 150.5 |
| UAB Blazers | -165 | -3.5 (-112) | U 150.5 |
Wichita State Shockers Betting Form
Wichita State comes in with momentum after burying Eastern Kentucky by 31, and that matters because it showed their offense can create good shots without forcing things. Karon Boyd’s 22 points on efficient shooting tells you the Shockers can get to spots they like, and Will Berg cleaning the glass with 12 boards is the kind of contribution that keeps them competitive in road games.
As a profile, Wichita State has enough offense to win this outright. They’re scoring 77.9 points per game, they shoot 36.2% from three, and they rebound well enough to avoid the one-and-done problem that kills underdogs. The concern is pace control. If their offense turns into quick jumpers and UAB gets running, you can lose the possession battle without it being obvious until the scoreboard is suddenly +10.
Wichita State injury report
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None reported | N/A | No confirmed injuries or suspensions listed as of game day; monitor late updates. |
UAB Blazers Betting Form
UAB is built like a team that can punish you inside and still beat you from the perimeter when you over-help. The 72-47 win over UNC Asheville is the kind of performance that signals their defensive ceiling, and when UAB is defending at that level at home, short spreads become easier because they don’t need to be perfect offensively.
They’re averaging 83.2 points per game, they rebound at a high level, and that’s the edge I keep coming back to here. If UAB is getting second-chance points and controlling the defensive glass, Wichita State has to shoot well to keep up. Chance Westry’s production matters too because he’s the type of player who can steady the offense when the game gets tight late.
UAB injury report
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None reported | N/A | No confirmed injuries or suspensions listed as of game day; monitor late updates. |
Wichita State Shockers vs UAB Blazers Matchup Breakdown
The key matchup is on the glass. Wichita State is a solid rebounding team, but UAB’s profile suggests they can win that category against most AAC opponents, and that usually decides games like this. Extra possessions plus home whistles is a real thing in college hoops, and it’s one of the quieter reasons favorites cover short numbers.
From a shot profile standpoint, Wichita State needs to make threes at a respectable rate and avoid giving UAB live-ball turnovers. UAB’s best cover path is to push tempo off misses and generate easy points before Wichita State can set its defense. If Wichita State keeps it in the half-court, the +3.5 becomes more valuable because you’re turning the game into execution rather than athletic chaos.
The total at 150.5 is interesting because both teams can score, but you still need enough possessions. If Wichita State succeeds in slowing the game and forcing longer trips, you can get an under even with decent efficiency. If UAB speeds it up, the number can clear without either team shooting lights out.
Wichita State Shockers vs UAB Blazers Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Wichita State +3.5. It’s mostly a number and matchup take. Wichita State has enough offense and enough rebounding to avoid getting blown off the floor, and in a game I project as a one-possession finish late, grabbing points makes sense.
On the total, I lean under 150.5. Wichita State’s best path here is to shorten the game, and if that happens, 150.5 asks for a cleaner offensive performance than I’m comfortable paying for. UAB can score, but if the Shockers make this a half-court grinder, you can land in the mid-140s without either team playing poorly.
Best Bet: Wichita State Shockers +3.5 (-109).
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