A rivalry rematch with NCAA Tournament bids on the line. Knights seek redemption and a crucial win over the Bearcats in Kansas City.
Game time: 3 p.m.
Where: T-Mobile Center; Kansas City, Mo.
TV/Radio: ESPNU/96.9 FM The Game
VITALS: The No. 8 seed UCF Knights (20-10, 9-9 Big 12) meet the No. 9 seed Cincinnati Bearcats (17-14, 9-9 Big 12) for the third time this season. Wednesday's outcome decides who earns bragging rights for the series — and advances to the third round to battle the No. 1 seed Arizona Wildcats (29-2, 16-2 Big 12). UCF won the first matchup when guard Themus Fulks nailed a game-winning floater, but Cincinnati exacted revenge with a 20-point blowout in the rematch. The Knights' NCAA Tournament hopes depend on a victory over their conference rival to cement a bid to the dance for the first time since 2019.
Betting odds, courtesy of USA Today:
Spread: UCF +2.5, Cincinnati -2.5
Moneyline: UCF +130, Cincinnati -150
Over/under: 147.5 total points
DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER
KEY UCF PLAYERS
G Riley Kugel: 14.7 PTS, 3.2 REBS and 2.7 ASTS on 42.1 FG%, 78.8 FT% and 39.7 3P%
G Themus Fulks: 14.4 PTS, 3.0 REBS and 6.8 ASTS on 46.8 FG%, 79.5 FT% and 40.0 3P%
G Chris Johnson: 6.4 PTS, 1.3 REBS and 2.0 ASTS on 44.4 FG%, 71.8 FT% and 39.0 3P%
F Jamichael Stillwell: 11.6 PTS, 7.6 REBS and 2.2 ASTS on 52.1 FG%, 73.1 FT% and 33.3 3P%
F Jordan Burks: 13.3 PTS and 4.7 REBS on 45.7 FG%, 78.4 FT% and 38.3 3P%
KEY UCF STATS
SCORING OFFENSE: 82.2 POINTS/GAME (5th in Big 12)
- 47.4 FG% (5th in Big 12)
- 37.8 3P% (3rd in Big 12)
- 74.8 FT% (5th in Big 12)
- 16.1 ASTS (5th in Big 12)
- 12.2 OREBS (6th in Big 12)
SCORING DEFENSE: 78.8 POINTS/GAME (12th in Big 12)
- 45.9 FG% (14th in Big 12)
- 33.7 3P% (8th in Big 12)
- 75.0 FT% (15th in Big 12)
- 14.2 ASTS (11th in Big 12)
- 9.8 OREBS (5th in Big 12)
QUOTE: "They have a very good basketball team," coach Johnny Dawkins said. "You know, this league is so tough. It's challenging, as we all know. When you're in this gauntlet, man, anything can happen from game to game."
UCF'S NCAA TOURNAMENT HOPES HINGE ON WINNING AGAINST CINCINNATI
The Knights ended the regular season on a three-game losing streak, which decreased their chances of earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament, also known as March Madness. Wednesday's matchup against the Bearcats carries significant implications for their tournament hopes.
UCF enters the game on a cold streak; meanwhile, Cincinnati is playing some of its hottest basketball. The Bearcats won six of their final eight games after defeating the Knights in their rematch.
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi, in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel's Matt Murschel, said UCF should book its ticket to the tournament for the first time since 2019 if they defeat Cincinnati on Wednesday.
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