Wichita State Shockers vs UAB Blazers Picks & Predictions for Wednesday December 31, 2025
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Introduction
AAC play tips off in Birmingham as Wichita State (8-5) heads to Bartow Arena to take on UAB (9-4) at 4:00 PM ET on ESPNU. The Blazers are laying -3.5, with the total sitting around 150.5, and ESPN’s matchup predictor gives UAB the edge at 61.7%. Both teams bring a two-game win streak into this one, so it sets up as a legit early-league measuring stick. This game is one of a large number of games being played on Wednesday and to make sure you don't miss a single one check out all of our free college basketball picks.
Wichita State Shockers Preview: Defence Travels, Rebounding Keeps Them In It
Wichita State’s profile starts with defence — they’re allowing just 66.5 PPG, which is a strong indicator they can stay competitive on the road even when the offence isn’t perfect. The Shockers score 77.9 PPG on 46% shooting, and they do a lot of work on the glass with 40.4 rebounds per game, helping them control tempo and create extra chances.
Offensively, Kenyon Giles (16.8 PPG) is the headliner, and Wichita State’s recent form is solid: wins over EKU (88-57) and Wofford (84-73) after a tight loss to DePaul (61-58). If Wichita can keep UAB out of rhythm and turn this into a possession battle, the +3.5 becomes very live.
UAB Blazers Preview: More Firepower, More Playmaking, Home-Court Edge
UAB brings the bigger scoring punch at 83.2 PPG, and they pair it with solid balance: 46% FG, a strong assist number (15.1 APG), and an even better rebounding mark than Wichita State at 42.8 RPG. The defensive number (70.4 allowed) isn’t as sharp as Wichita’s, but the Blazers can make up for it by winning the glass and piling up efficient possessions.
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Chance Westry (16.0 PPG) is the go-to scorer, and UAB comes in off two straight wins — 72-47 vs UNC Asheville and 101-77 vs Cleveland State — which shows both their defensive ceiling and their ability to run up points when things click.
Key Points To Watch For
This game looks like a classic contrast: Wichita State’s defensive consistency (66.5 allowed) versus UAB’s offensive output (83.2 scored). Rebounding could decide it — both are strong, but UAB has the slight edge (42.8 vs 40.4). If UAB’s ball movement (15.1 assists per game) is generating clean looks early, the Blazers can build separation; if Wichita turns it into a grind and forces longer possessions, this likely stays tight into the final five minutes.
Wichita State vs UAB Pick
I’m backing UAB -3.5. The Blazers have the stronger overall scoring profile, a rebounding edge, and they’re at home — and with ESPN leaning their way as well, I’ll side with UAB to win by multiple possessions late.
For the total, I lean Over 150.5. UAB’s pace and scoring ceiling are obvious (they’ve hit 101 in their last five), and Wichita State has been contributing enough offensively in recent wins to help push this into the 150s if UAB dictates tempo. Betting on sports and on Wichita State is easy, but even easier if you use the best sportsbooks. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for UAB with the social sportsbooks. Getting the most out of your bets on UAB vs Wichita State can be done by using the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
Final Score Prediction:
UAB 80, Wichita State 73
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