Knights face a five-game winning streak Red Raiders squad. Can UCF pull off another ranked upset at home?
Game time: 12 p.m.
Where: Addition Financial Arena; Orlando, Fla.
TV/Radio: ESPN2/96.9 FM The Game
Vitals: The UCF Knights (16-4, 5-3 Big 12) begin another tough two-game stretch against ranked opponents. They host the No. 11-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-4, 6-1 Big 12) fresh off a close, thrilling victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils on Tuesday night. The Red Raiders are on a five-game winning streak, with their most recent win coming against in-state rival then-No. 6 Houston.
Betting odds, courtesy of USA Today:
Spread: UCF +3.5, Texas Tech -3.5
Over/Under: 159.5 total points
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KEY UCF PLAYERS
G Riley Kugel: 15.1 PTS, 3.6 REBS and 2.8 ASTS on 43 FG%, 72.2 FT% and 40.6 3P%
G Themus Fulks: 13.9 PTS, 3.2 REBS and 7.2 ASTS on 50.5 FG%, 76.6 FT% and 46.7 3P%
F Jamichael Stillwell: 12.5 PTS, 7.9 REBS and 1.8 ASTS on 53.4 FG%, 69.4 FT% and 33.3 3P%
F Jordan Burks: 12.5 PTS and 4.4 REBS on 46.7 FG%, 83.9 FT% and 38 3P%
F Devan Cambridge: 6.2 PTS, 4.1 REBS and 1.1 ASTS on 48.2 FG%, 74.4 FT% and 31.6 3P%
KEY UCF STATS
SCORING OFFENSE: 84 POINTS/GAME (7th in Big 12)
- 48.2 FG% (4th in Big 12)
- 38 3P% (3rd in Big 12)
- 73.1 FT% (9th in Big 12)
- 16.6 ASTS (5th in Big 12)
- 13.0 OREBS (T-3rd in Big 12)
SCORING DEFENSE: 77 POINTS/GAME (11th in Big 12)
- 44.7 FG% (12th in Big 12)
- 33.7 3P% (10th in Big 12)
- 73.8 FT% (14th in Big 12)
- 14.2 ASTS (12th in Big 12)
- 25.5 DREBS (8th in Big 12)
QUOTE: "We have to continue to try to improve in every facet," coach Johnny Dawkins said. "I don't think that, you know, we are who we are. I think this team does have room to still, you know, get better, and I want us to take that approach throughout the rest of the season. I think these young men aren't finished products. So, they have to understand that they can still improve as the season progresses, but just by learning the lessons that we'll learn from tonight and carrying those lessons forward, that helps you to improve. So, whether we win or lose, there are going to be lessons in all those games that will help us to improve, and we just need to take those [and] try to apply them for the next time we go out and play."
UCF KNIGHTS HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO UPSET A TOP-25 TEAM
The Knights failed to upset No. 1 Arizona and then-No. 9 Iowa State over 10 days ago. Now, the opportunity to earn their second win against a ranked opponent has fallen into UCF's hands once more.
A second upset would add to the increasing momentum the team is generating after defeating Colorado and Arizona State. Their first upset against then-No. 17 Kansas pushed them into the AP Top 25 as the No. 25-ranked team.
However, even if UCF does not enter the AP Top 25, the team becomes one step closer to 20 wins and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament.