Knights clash with undefeated Wildcats. Can UCF's defense disrupt Arizona's freshman stars and secure a monumental upset? Tune in to find out!
Game time: 4 p.m.
Where: Addition Financial Arena; Orlando, Fla.
TV/Radio: ESPN/96.9 FM The Game
Vitals: The UCF Knights (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) face their toughest challenge of the season against the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats (17-0, 4-0 Big 12). Arizona is led by its freshmen duo forward Koa Peat and guard Brayden Burries, who are potential first-round NBA draft picks. The Wildcats lead the Big 12 in points per game (91), making UCF's defensive discipline the primary key to an upset.
Betting odds, courtesy of USA Today
Spread: UCF +9, Arizona -9
Moneyline: UCF +340, Arizona -440
O/U: 165.5 total points
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KEY UCF PLAYERS:
G Riley Kugel: 14.8 PTS, 3.4 REBS and 2.7 ASTS on 42.9 FG%, 72.7 FT% and 39.5 3P%
G Themus Fulks: 13 PTS, 3.2 REBS and 7.3 ASTS on 50.6 FG%, 75.9 FT% and 50 3P%
F Jamichael Stillwell: 12.7 PTS, 8.1 REBS and 1.7 ASTS on 54.5 FG%, 69.6 FT% and 30 3P%
F Jordan Burks: 12.3 PTS and 4.1 REBS on 45.8 FG%, 81.3 FT% and 38.4 3P%
F Devan Cambridge: 6.4 PTS, 4.7 REBS and 1.2 ASTS on 50.8 FG%, 73.7 FT% and 30.8 3P%
KEY UCF STATS:
SCORING OFFENSE: 85.8 POINTS/GAME (6th in Big 12)
- 49 FG% (5th in Big 12)
- 37.9 3P% (2nd in Big 12)
- 72.4 FT% (10th in Big 12)
- 16.9 ASTS (6th in Big 12)
- 13.3 OREBS (4th in Big 12)
SCORING DEFENSE: 75.4 POINTS/GAME (11th in Big 12)
- 43.2 FG% (10th in Big 12)
- 32.3 3P% (7th in Big 12)
- 75.2 FT% (15th in Big 12)
- 13.7 ASTS (11th in Big 12)
- 26 DREBS (7th in Big 12)
QUOTE: "You know, he's doing a terrific job," Coach Johnny Dawkins said about Fulks after defeating Kansas State. "I mean, I think his ability to find guys, his ability to create for himself, and still score when he has to. So, I think early on in the season, I was always talking to him about time and score, when to do something, and when not to do it. You know, now he's to a point where he probably can coach me into it. He does a great job of facilitating and making guys better on the perimeter, as well as taking his opportunities when they present themselves."
UCF AIMS TO ACCOMPLISH ITS SECOND UPSET OF THE SEASON
The Knights have another shot at upsetting a ranked conference team. They upset then-No. 17 Kansas Jan. 3 to start Big 12 play strong and climbed their way into the AP Top 25 the following week.
UCF can repeat and surpass history once more, two weeks later. However, the task is daunting given Arizona's undefeated dominance across the nation. Peat is averaging 15.3 points while Burries is scoring 14.1.
Senior players like Kugel, Fulks and others must step up and execute at a high level to increase the team's chances of handing No. 1 Arizona its first loss.