The Knights are gearing up for a crucial showdown against Cincinnati in the Big 12 Tournament, with their March Madness dreams hanging in the balance. This rubber match is set to decide who moves forward, and it's the third meeting between these two teams this season.
Cincinnati comes into the game with momentum, having dispatched Utah 73-66 in the first round. Baba Miller was a standout, filling the stat sheet with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. Former Knights center Moustapha Thiam also made his presence felt, posting a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
During the regular season, UCF and Cincinnati each claimed a victory in their head-to-head battles. The Knights edged out a win in their first encounter, thanks to a clutch mid-range jumper by fifth-year senior point guard Themus Fulks, sealing a 73-72 victory.
In a return to Addition Financial Arena, Thiam was a powerhouse, scoring 24 points on an efficient 10-15 shooting. However, Cincinnati got their revenge in the second meeting, with Miller leading the charge in a dominant 92-72 win. He contributed across the board, with 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line.
The Knights struggled to find their rhythm in that loss, shooting just 41% from the field and a meager 26% from beyond the arc. Fulks, who had been the hero in their first matchup, had an off night, failing to score and playing limited minutes.
Looking back at last season, UCF started the Big 12 Tournament strong with an 87-72 win over Utah. Keyshawn Hall was instrumental, leading the conference in scoring and putting up 23 points with five assists. UCF legends Darius Johnson and Jordan "Juice" Ivy Curry added a combined 35 points, with five 3-pointers between them.
Their tournament run, however, was cut short in a heart-stopping overtime loss to Kansas. Despite Hall's impressive 25 points and 11 rebounds, Kansas' Zeke Mayo matched the intensity with 24 points, leading the Jayhawks to a 98-94 victory.
As the Knights prepare to face Cincinnati again, all eyes will be on how they handle the pressure and whether they can secure a spot in the big dance.