ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF men's basketball team is set for its first ever meeting with the newcomer to the American Athletic Conference, as the Knights will make the trip to Kansas to take on No. 16 Wichita State Thursday night on ESPN2.
With 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and two trips to the Final Four, most recently in 2013, Wichita State came into its first season in The American picked to finish second in the league. The Shockers (15-4, 5-2) are currently right there after losing their last two times out.
Their first loss in league play was a week ago at home to visiting SMU. The Mustangs topped Wichita State 83-78 to snap the Shockers' 27-game home winning streak. They then lost their second straight game for the first time since November of 2016, falling at Houston 73-59 on Saturday.
The Knights (13-6, 4-3), meanwhile, are dealing with some adversity themselves. It was announced on Saturday that 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year in The American Tacko Fall would miss the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery.
In their first game without Fall, the Knights went on the road to their rival's building and came from behind to win 71-69 at USF.
Although Fall is out, B.J. Taylor is back. The Preseason All-Conference point guard made his return from a broken foot last week and led UCF to victory on Saturday. In just his second game back, Taylor scored 25 points, had five assists, and didn't turn the ball over once in the win over the Bulls.
Taylor and the Knights will square off with the Shockers Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT in Wichita on ESPN2.
GAME INFO
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25
Time: 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: 96.9 FM/740 AM The Game
Live Stats: http://goshockers.com
NOTES TO KNOW
- This is the first ever meeting between UCF and Wichita State in men's basketball.
- It will mark the Knights' second game in Kansas, having played at Kansas State in 2003.
- B.J. Taylor was named to The American Weekly Honor Roll following his performance at USF.
- A.J. Davis is scheduled to return to the court after missing the game at USF with an ankle injury.
- UCF is third in the nation, holding opponents to 59.1 points per game.
- The Knights are 4-2 on the road this season.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE GAME NOTES – WICHITA STATE
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign are on sale now. Fans looking to purchase tickets can call (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFKnights.com to secure them today. For men's basketball tickets CLICK HERE.
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