After a rough stretch on the road, the UCF Knights are back in Orlando and looking to reset the tone of their season. Saturday’s matchup against West Virginia at Addition Financial Arena isn’t just another Big 12 game-it’s a chance for the Knights to bounce back, regroup, and show they’re still a force to be reckoned with in conference play.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET, with coverage on FS1 and 96.9 FM The Game.
A Much-Needed Homecoming
The Knights return home with a 17-6 overall record and a 6-5 mark in Big 12 play, but the numbers don’t tell the full story. UCF is coming off two tough road losses-first to then-No.
8 Houston and then to Cincinnati-where they struggled to find their rhythm on either end of the floor. The combined margin of defeat?
A staggering 44 points.
Simply put, it wasn’t the version of the Knights we’ve grown used to seeing this season.
Against Houston, UCF’s offense was smothered by elite perimeter pressure and disciplined rotations. Cincinnati followed the same script, closing off driving lanes and forcing contested looks. The Knights couldn’t get comfortable, and the scoreboard showed it.
Now, back in the friendly confines of Addition Financial Arena, UCF has an opportunity to right the ship against a West Virginia team that’s also looking to get back on track after a 73-60 loss to No. 13 Texas Tech.
The Backcourt Duo: Time to Reignite
The Knights' backcourt has been the heartbeat of their offense all season, but they’ll need to rebound in a big way-especially Themus Fulks. The dynamic guard, who’s averaging 13.3 points and 6.8 assists per game, was held scoreless in the loss to Cincinnati. It was his first goose egg since November 2023, back when he was still suiting up for Louisiana.
Head coach Johnny Dawkins isn’t worried about Fulks, though.
“Themus has been terrific,” Dawkins said. “Of course, he’s disappointed like everyone else on our team. And for him, this week is about just continuing to heal up and get better and move forward.”
Fulks has been one of the most efficient guards in the Big 12, shooting 48.1% from the field and a red-hot 44.1% from deep. If he can shake off the Cincinnati game and return to form, it changes the entire complexion of UCF’s offense.
Riley Kugel, averaging 14.3 points per game, continues to be a steady scoring option. His ability to create off the dribble and stretch the floor (38.1% from three) gives the Knights a go-to option when things get tight. Add in Chris Johnson’s sharpshooting (39.7% from beyond the arc) and you’ve got a backcourt that can light it up when they’re clicking.
Frontcourt Firepower
UCF’s frontcourt has quietly been one of the more versatile in the league. Jamichael Stillwell is giving the Knights 12.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting a strong 52% from the field. He’s the kind of forward who can bang in the paint but also step out and hit a shot when needed.
Jordan Burks adds another dimension with his ability to stretch the floor (37.9% from three) and knock down free throws at an impressive 84.9% clip. His 12.7 points per game have been crucial in balancing the offense and giving Dawkins lineup flexibility.
The Numbers Tell a Tale of Two Ends
Offensively, UCF has been one of the more potent teams in the Big 12. They’re sixth in the conference in scoring (82.4 points per game), sixth in field goal percentage (47.3%), and third in three-point shooting (37.3%). They move the ball well (16.1 assists per game) and crash the offensive glass hard (12.8 offensive rebounds per game, third in the Big 12).
But the defensive side has been more of a mixed bag. The Knights are allowing 77.8 points per game-11th in the conference-and opponents are shooting 46.2% from the field, the worst mark in the Big 12. Perimeter defense has also been a concern, with opponents hitting 34.2% of their threes (13th in the league).
If UCF wants to make a serious push in the second half of conference play, tightening up the defense is non-negotiable.
Respect for the Opponent
Coach Dawkins didn’t mince words when talking about West Virginia’s discipline and execution.
“They defend very well, and they run offense very well,” Dawkins said. “They’re very organized at what they do.
That’s something I look at-the trademark of programs. How are you defensively?
Offensively, do you execute? And I think they do well on both sides of the basketball.”
West Virginia may not be ranked, but they’ve shown they can hang with top-tier teams. UCF can’t afford to overlook this one.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just a chance for UCF to get back in the win column-it’s a gut check. After two humbling losses, the Knights need to re-establish their identity, especially on the defensive end.
The pieces are there. The talent is there.
Now it’s about putting it all together again.
A win Saturday would not only snap the skid but also set the tone for the stretch run. And with a rematch against the Mountaineers still to come, this one carries a little extra weight.
Let’s see if the Knights can rise to the moment.