With a full week to regroup after a tough 92-72 road loss to Cincinnati, UCF is eyeing a bounce-back opportunity at home - and the timing couldn’t be better. The Knights will face a West Virginia team that hangs its hat on defense but has enough holes to exploit, especially on the perimeter and in the paint. If UCF wants to snap its skid and get back in the win column, this matchup offers a clear blueprint.
Let’s start with the Mountaineers’ identity: they’re a defense-first squad, and it shows in the numbers. West Virginia is giving up just 63.6 points per game, second-best in the Big 12 behind only Houston. They’re physical, disciplined, and make you work for every bucket - especially inside the arc.
But that defensive shell isn’t impenetrable. In fact, there’s a clear soft spot behind the arc.
Opponents are hitting 3-pointers at a 35.3% clip against the Mountaineers - a rate that puts them in the bottom third of the conference in perimeter defense. That’s a number UCF should be circling in red.
The Knights have quietly become one of the most efficient 3-point shooting teams in the Big 12, and this is the kind of matchup where that strength needs to shine. Look for UCF to space the floor, move the ball quickly, and fire away from deep - especially early - to test West Virginia’s closeouts and communication.
But it’s not just about the perimeter. There’s another area where UCF can tip the scales: inside.
West Virginia’s frontcourt depth is razor-thin. Senior big man Harlan Obioha is the only true center in the rotation, logging just over 20 minutes per game.
Outside of him, the Mountaineers rely on undersized wings and forwards to hold down the paint.
That’s an opening UCF can’t afford to ignore. Attacking the paint early and often could put pressure on Obioha and force the Mountaineers into foul trouble, thinning out a rotation that already lacks size. If the Knights can control the interior and get to the line, they’ll be in a strong position to dictate the tempo and wear down West Virginia’s defense.
Offensively, the Mountaineers are still searching for consistency. They’re last in the Big 12 in scoring at just 70 points per game, but don’t let that number fool you - they’ve got players who can heat up in a hurry.
Senior guard Honor Huff leads the charge, averaging over 15 points per game. He’s not the most efficient scorer - shooting just 36.2% from the field - but when he’s on, he’s a problem. Huff has already hit five or more threes in six games this season, including a 24-point outburst against Cincinnati where he knocked down six triples.
That said, he’s coming off his worst performance of the year - a six-point outing against Texas Tech where he went 0-for-8 from the field. That kind of cold streak can linger, or it can fuel a bounce-back. Either way, UCF needs to be ready.
The defensive assignment will likely fall to fifth-year senior Themus Fulks, who brings experience and toughness to the point of attack. His job?
Stay attached to Huff, fight through screens, and chase him off the 3-point line. If Fulks can disrupt Huff’s rhythm early, it could take a major piece off the board for West Virginia.
Bottom line: this is a winnable game for UCF - but only if they play to their strengths. That means letting it fly from deep, attacking the paint with purpose, and locking in defensively against a Mountaineer team that can’t afford to play from behind.
With a week of rest and a clear game plan, the Knights have a golden opportunity to right the ship in front of their home crowd. Now it’s just a matter of execution.