The UCF Knights are making waves in the NCAA Tournament for just the sixth time in their history, and they're ready to take on the challenge. Slipping in as a No. 10 seed, the Knights are set to face off against the surging UCLA Bruins in the first round. Only once before, in 2019, has UCF advanced past the round of 64, so a win here would be a monumental achievement for the program.
Leading the charge for UCF is star guard Themus Fulks, a transfer from Milwaukee whose gritty, team-first approach has been pivotal in the Knights' journey to the tournament. Fulks is dishing out six assists per game, often finding fellow guard Riley Kugel, the team's top scorer and a reliable threat from beyond the arc.
In the paint, UCF relies on forward Jordan Burks and center John Bol, who together pull down an impressive 13 rebounds per game. However, the Knights face challenges on defense, allowing 78.5 points per game and committing 11 turnovers on average. They'll need to tighten up these areas to compete with UCLA, who finished the season strong with a 6-1 record, including notable victories over Michigan State and Nebraska.
UCLA's success has been fueled by Tyler Bildodeau, who contributes 18 points and six rebounds per game. His sharpshooting from three-point range is a key factor for the Bruins' hopes of advancing.
The victor of this matchup will move on to face either No. 2 seed UConn or No. 15 seed Furman in the second round. Here's how you can catch all the action:
UCF vs. UCLA: Game Details
- Date: Friday, March 20
- TV Channel: TBS
- Start Time: 6:25 p.m. CT, 5:25 p.m.
MT
- Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Streaming Options
You can stream the UCF-UCLA game on the NCAA March Madness app (with a TV provider login) and on Sling.
This matchup promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams bringing their unique strengths to the court. Whether UCF can make history or UCLA continues its hot streak will be decided on Friday night.