ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) –It’s ESPN College Game Day. It’s the team picked to win The American against the team currently leading The American. It’s an opportunity for the UCF men’s basketball team to earn one of its biggest wins in program history, when the Knights take on No. 6/8 Houston Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.
GAME INFO
Date: Saturday, March 2
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Radio: 96.9 FM/740 AM The Game
Live Stats: https://ucfknights.co/2GSu12I
Currently in third place in The American standings, UCF (21-6, 11-4) has one of the toughest remaining schedules in the nation, taking on first place Houston, second place Cincinnati and fourth place Temple over the course of the next week.
Houston (27-1, 14-1) is ranked sixth in the USA Today Coaches Poll, eighth in the AP Top 25 Poll and has an NCAA NET ranking of four. The Cougars have lost just one game this season, on the road at Temple, and that was back on Jan. 9.
The Knights, meanwhile, have won two in a row and five of their last six, continuing their push for the first at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in program history. UCF is now 31st in the NET rankings with each of the next three games being an great opportunity to improve its resume.
When the two teams met earlier this season, Houston came out on top 77-68 in Orlando behind 26 points from Corey Davis Jr. BJ Taylor led the Knights in that game with 21 points, while Tacko Fall and Aubrey Dawkins each chipped in with 13.
NOTES TO KNOW
- UCF is 5-45 all-time against ranked opponents, but have beaten a ranked opponent in each of the last two seasons under head coach Johnny Dawkins.
- The Knights have only won one true road game over a ranked opponent, last season against No. 24 Alabama.
- This marks the first time the UCF men’s basketball program has been a part of ESPN College Game Day.
- UCF is the only school in the nation this season to be a part of both football and basketball ESPN College Game Day, as the Knights hosted Game Day on campus this fall for their game against Cincinnati.
- A win would mark UCF’s most wins in the regular season since going 22-8 in 2006-07.
- UCF’s best record in The American was 11-7 back in 2016-17.
- The Knights are a perfect 21-0 when leading with two minutes to go in the game.
- Tacko Fall has successfully won all 27 tipoffs this season and each of the last 31 dating back to last year.
- Houston leads the all-time series against UCF 15-10 and holds a 7-4 advantage in Texas.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE GAME NOTES – UCF AT HOUSTON
TICKETS FOR 2018-19
Fans excited for the final game of the 2018-19 UCF men's basketball season, March 7 vs. No. 22 Cincinnati, can purchase tickets today by calling (407) 823-1000 or online here: https://ucfknights.co/mbb1819tix.