UMKC Kangaroos vs Denver Pioneers Prediction, 12/31/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UMKC Kangaroos vs Denver Pioneers

Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Location: Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver, CO

TV: ESPN+

Hamilton Gymnasium is the site where the Denver Pioneers (7-8) will try to beat the UMKC Kangaroos (2-11) on Wednesday.

The UMKC Kangaroos played Oklahoma State and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 91-79 in their last contest. UMKC finished the game having earned a 37.3% FG percentage (25 of 67) and knocked down 11 out of their 30 three-point attempts. At the charity stripe, the Kangaroos buried 18 of 22 attempts for a percentage of 81.8%. Pertaining to hauling in rebounds, they earned 28 with 11 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 13 assists in the matchup as well as forcing the opposition into 15 turnovers and having 11 steals. When discussing the defense, UMKC allowed 58.1% from the floor on 36 of 62 shooting. Oklahoma State earned 18 assists and had 8 steals in the matchup. On top of that, Oklahoma State had 39 rebounds (9 offensive, 30 defensive), but didn't notch a rejection. Oklahoma State finished 73.7% at the free throw line by converting 14 of their 19 attempts. They converted 5 of 14 tries from distance. In reference to personal fouls, the Kangaroos ended up finishing with 16 while Oklahoma State racked up 19 personal fouls.

Karmello Branch is someone who was a factor for the matchup. He walked away from this one shooting 31.6% from the floor and also totaled 4 dimes. He saw the court for 35 mins and totaled 2 boards. He totaled 18 points on 6 out of 19 shooting.

Get all of our NCAA Picks Tonight

UMKC comes into this contest with a mark of 2-11 for the year. They are averaging 70.0 pts per contest (319th in D-1) while hitting 41.6% from the field. The Kangaroos are hitting 29.5% on shots from distance (79 of 268) and 69.5% from the charity stripe. As a team, UMKC is pulling in 34.5 rebounds per contest and has racked up 157 dimes this season, which ranks 305th in Division 1 in terms of passing. They are giving up possession 15.2 times per game and as a unit are committing 17.6 fouls every game.

On the defensive end, the Kangaroos are forcing 13.3 turnovers every game and they draw 19.8 fouls. They relinquish 32.5% on shots from beyond the perimeter and they rank 336th in college in PPG allowed (82.4). The Kangaroos are allowing a field goal percentage of 48.0% (401 of 836) and they surrender 39.8 rebounds per game as a group. They are ranked 341st in college hoops in giving up assists to the opposition with 220 surrendered on the year.

The last time they took the hardwood, the Denver Pioneers took a defeat with a final score of 90-85 when they faced Tulsa. With respect to how they cleaned up the glass, Denver allowed Tulsa to collect 37 overall (17 on the offensive side). They shot 28.6% from behind the 3-point line by hitting 6 out of 21 and finished the game at 18 out of 24 at the free throw line (75.0%). The Pioneers allowed Tulsa to convert 33 of their 74 attempts from the field which gave them a percentage of 44.6% for this contest. In all, the Pioneers walked away from this one shooting 29 for 65 from the floor which gave them a rate of 44.6%. When it comes to shooting from distance, Denver knocked down 6 of their 23 tries (26.1%). They were able to make 21 of the free throws for a percentage of 80.8%. Tulsa earned 22 fouls in this matchup which got the Pioneers to the free throw line for a total of 26 attempts. They also turned the ball over 15 times, while recording 5 steals in this contest. The Pioneers were able to pull down 23 defensive boards and 12 offensive boards for a total of 35 in this contest.

Carson Johnson was important for the Pioneers in the matchup. He accumulated 20 points in his 30 mins of playing time and totaled 1 assist for the game. He made 6 out of 17 for the contest for a rate of 35.3%, and added 4 rebounds.

Denver has a mark of 7-8 on the season. When it comes to executing on offense, the Pioneers are shooting 49.1% from the floor, which is ranked 49th in D-1. Denver has earned 1,262 points on the year (84.1 per game) and they grab 32.7 rebounds per game. Their rate of dishing out assists is at 11.8 times per contest (330th in Division 1) and they are turning it over 11.0 times per game. The Pioneers commit 16.9 personal fouls every game and they hit 76.4% from the free throw line.

The Pioneers on the defensive side of the court are 351st in college in points given up per game with 85.3. They have forced 10.1 turnovers on a nightly basis and have let teams shoot 50.1% from the floor (357th in the country). The Denver defense surrenders 40.6% on 3-pointers (144 of 355) and their opponents are making 68.8% of their free throw attempts. They have allowed 13.6 assists and 33.8 boards per game, which is ranked 204th and 150th in college hoops.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take UMKC

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get college basketball picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.