Guard status uncertain after recent win. Dawkins sheds light on key players' injuries and potential return timelines ahead of crucial road trip.
The UCF Knights (18-7, 7-6 Big 12) snapped a three-game losing streak against Texas Christian (16-10, 6-7 Big 12), but some players left the Addition Financial Arena hobbled.
Guard Riley Kugel was limping at the end of Tuesday's game, and trainers attended to the Knights' leading scorer. Guard Carmelo Pacheco was ruled out before the matchup after missing the second half of West Virginia's game with a concussion.
Coach Johnny Dawkins said he was unsure of what happened to Kugel, but he would figure it out after checking up on him with the trainers.
"I'm not sure [I] know quite what happened," Dawkins said. "I'm sure he's probably getting treatment right now. He's probably with our trainer. So I'll find out after I leave here, kind of what his status is and exactly what happened."
Kugel is an explosive athlete who can score at all three levels: three-point, mid-range and in the paint. He leads the team in scoring, averaging 14 points per contest.
However, the Orlando native has struggled in the past five games. The hometown hero has shot 13-for-45 from the field (28.9%), 4-for-17 from beyond the arc (23.5%) and averaged 9.8 points throughout the recent stretch.
Dawkins' update on Pacheco — one of the Knights' many sharpshooters — was positive. He complimented Pacheco's performance throughout the season and added he'll be ready to contribute when he returns.
"Carmelo has been terrific for us this season, and [we] definitely missed him as well," Dawkins said. "Right now, he's still day-to-day. So we'll see where he is as his week continues, but [he's a] great young man, and I'm sure when he's ready, he'll be able to come back and continue to help contribute into our program."
Pacheco is a 40% three-point shooter for his team off the bench, sometimes providing much-needed scoring in a pinch. He made timely threes against Arizona State and then-No. 11 Texas Tech to maintain comfortable leads against tough competition.
Small injuries have impacted UCF throughout conference play. Forward Jamichael Stillwell and center Jeremy Foumena have missed time before, and the absence of their toughness and size in the front court changed how the Knights played.
Potentially missing Kugel's scoring and Pacheco's shooting can have a similar effect in the upcoming road trip to Utah. Updates on both guards are expected on Saturday before the Knights play the Utah Utes.
Saturday's matchup will take place at the Jon M. Huntsman Center at 9 p.m. on ESPN+.