Knights seek redemption after a tough loss. Can they fix defensive woes and reclaim their winning form against rival Cincinnati?
Game time: 5 p.m.
Where: Addition Financial Arena; Orlando, Fla.
TV/Radio: ESPN2/96.9 FM The Game
Vitals: Coach Johnny Dawkins and his Knights squad are coming off a loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys, dropping their conference record to 1-1. UCF had an inefficient shooting night, and its defensive discipline wasn't sharp enough to complete a comeback. It is a reunion for ex-Knights center Moustapha Thiam and ex-Knights assistant coach Mamadou N'Diaye, Cincinnati (8-7, 0-2 Big 12) has struggled this season and Sunday's matchup provides UCF with an opportunity to round back into form and do what they've done well throughout the season.
Betting odds, courtesy of USA TODAY
Spread: UCF -3.5, Cincinnati +3.5
Moneyline: UCF -165, Cincinnati +140
O/U: 151 total points
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KEY UCF PLAYERS:
G Riley Kugel: 14.1 PTS, 3 REBS, 2.5 ASTS and 1 STL on 40.7 FG%, 72.7 FT% and 38.2 3P%
G Themus Fulks: 13.5 PTS, 3.3 REBS and 6.6 ASTS on 50.7 FG%, 75.9 FT% and 47.6 3P%
F Jordan Burks: 13 PTS and 4.5 REBS on 45.5 FG%, 82.6 FT% and 36.9 3P%
F Jamichael Stillwell: 12.1 PTS, 8.4 REBS, 1.9 ASTS and 1.4 STLS on 54.2 FG%, 70.6 FT% and 35.3 3P%
F Devan Cambridge: 6.4 PTS, 4.8 REBS and 1.2 ASTS on 47.5 FG%, 74.3 FT% and 29.2 3P%
KEY UCF STATS:
SCORING OFFENSE: 86.9 POINTS/GAME (6th in Big 12)
- 48.2 FG% (7th in Big 12)
- 37.2 3P% (4th in Big 12)
- 72.9 FT% (10th in Big 12)
- 16.6 ASTS (7th in Big 12)
- 14.4 OREBS (2nd in Big 12)
SCORING DEFENSE: 75.8 POINTS/GAME (11th in Big 12)
- 42.7 FG% (11th in Big 12)
- 34.3 3P% (14th in Big 12)
- 76.3 FT% (15th in Big 12)
- 12.5 ASTS (6th in Big 12)
- 21.9 DREBS (6th in Big 12)
QUOTE: "Cincinnati is a very talented program," Dawkins said. "Wes [Miller] does a great job with his team. For us, we need to come out and really just throw ourselves into how do we continue to get better? Make sure we play to our standards, and that's what I've told our guys. It's all about us. It's about our standards and how we go out and perform. We already know the program has a great tradition. They've had a lot of success both in the American, of course, and now they're in the Big 12 as well."
DAWKINS EMPHASIZED DEFENSIVE DISCIPLINE AHEAD OF CINCINNATI MATCHUP
Coach Dawkins' main takeaway from Tuesday's loss was his team's defensive regression. UCF sent Oklahoma State to the free-throw line 35 times, which played a significant role in keeping their opponent from taking the lead.
Dawkins wants his team to play hard while not fouling and rebounding the ball. Stringing together multiple stops is marked as a "kill," a term UCF players frequently mention in post-game press conferences.
The Knights' offense has been the highlight of their season, and defensive improvement can help maintain the No. 25 ranking they earned after upsetting then-No. 17 Kansas and get them back in the win column against conference opponents.