UCF seeks redemption against Cincinnati after a tough loss. Find out how to catch the action, betting insights, and key player stats.
Game time: 2 p.m.
Where: Fifth Third Arena; Cincinnati, Ohio
TV/Radio: CBS Sports Network/96.9 FM The Game
Vitals: The UCF Knights (17-5, 6-4 Big 12) face their conference rival Cincinnati (11-12, 3-7 Big 12) once more after narrowly winning the first matchup on Jan. 11. Both teams are coming off losses — UCF suffering a 79-55 blowout to No. 8 Houston and Cincinnati losing 59-54 to West Virginia. Sunday's game is the Knights' opportunity to bounce back from a tough loss to the Cougars, who shut them down with tough, hard-nosed defense.
Betting odds, courtesy of USA Today
Spread: UCF +3.5, Cincinnati -3.5
Moneyline: UCF +150, Cincinnati -180
Over/Under: 145.5 total points
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KEY UCF PLAYERS:
G Riley Kugel: 14.5 PTS, 3.5 REBS and 2.7 ASTS on 41.2 FG%, 75.4 FT% and 39.1 3P%
G Themus Fulks: 13.9 PTS, 3.1 REBS and 7.0 ASTS on 48.5 FG%, 77.8 FT% and 45.5 3P%
G Chris Johnson: 6.0 PTS, 1.2 REBS and 1.6 ASTS on 44.0 FG%, 72.7 FT% and 40.4 3P%
F Jamichael Stillwell: 12.2 PTS, 8.0 REBS and 2.1 ASTS on 52.4 FG%, 71.4 FT% and 33.3 3P%
F Jordan Burks: 12.5 PTS and 4.3 REBS on 45.7 FG%, 85.9 FT% and 38.0 3P%
KEY UCF STATS:
SCORING OFFENSE: 82.9 POINTS/GAME (7th in Big 12)
- 47.6 FG% (8th in Big 12)
- 37.8 3P% (3rd in Big 12)
- 74.1 FT% (7th in Big 12)
- 16.4 ASTS (4th in Big 12)
- 12.9 OREBS (4th in Big 12)
SCORING DEFENSE: 77.2 POINTS/GAME (11th in Big 12)
- 45.6 FG% (13th in Big 12)
- 33.3 3P% (9th in Big 12)
- 73.4 FT% (14th in Big 12)
- 14.6 ASTS (12th in Big 12)
- 25.0 DREBS (8th in Big 12)
QUOTE: "We have to make sure that we take the lessons that we'll learn from this game, when we start watching tape and we start preparing for Cincinnati," coach Johnny Dawkins said after losing to No. 8 Houston. "That's what we're going to have to do. It's like, 'Okay, what are the lessons?' 'What can we do to continue to get better?' Based on where we are, we still should be getting better. Even at this time of year, these guys have been with us for nine months. There's still a lot of room for them to improve. We just got to keep pushing them and keep working on certain things to get better, and then start preparing. I haven't seen Cincy since that game, really, so I'm not sure exactly what they're doing, but we have to start preparing for them tomorrow."
UCF KNIGHTS AIM TO BOUNCE BACK FROM BLOWOUT LOSS, SWEEP CINCINNATI
The Knights' 24-point blowout loss is their second-worst loss margin behind the 30-point defeat to then-No. 9 Iowa State. Their offense struggled to generate points, and Houston dominated them on the glass.
Completing the season sweep against Cincinnati alleviates some pressure after losing to Houston, allowing the team to pace as the season comes to a close soon and the NCAA Tournament on the horizon.
The Bearcats have struggled this season, posting an under .500 record and seven losses within single digits. Sunday's matchup will be intense, full of physicality and potentially a game that goes down to the wire like the last.