ORLANDO – The UCF men's basketball team's four-game homestand comes to an end Wednesday night, playing host to Bethune-Cookman at Addition Financial Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. with coverage on UCFKnights.tv and FM 96.9 The Game.
The Knights (8-2) have won five in a row, including three straight victories at home, where UCF is 5-1 on the season in 2019-20. On Sunday, UCF defeated visiting Sacred Heart 76-65 behind a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double from Collin Smith.
Smith has led the way all season long, ranking eighth in the league with 14.7 points per game and a 54.5 field goal percentage. He has had two double-doubles and has taken a charge in all 10 games during the 2019-20 campaign.
Bethune-Cookman (5-6) makes the short trip down from Daytona Beach having lost four consecutive games, all on the road, to Georgia Tech, Stetson, Jacksonville and California Baptist. The Wildcats have wins over Division I opponents Eastern Illinois and Incarnate Word.
Wednesday is the 27th meeting between UCF and Bethune-Cookman, with the Knights holding a 19-7 advantage in the all-time series. UCF has won 16-of-20 games played in Orlando and has won each of the last 12 meetings. The last Bethune-Cookman win was in 1994.
GAME INFO
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Video: UCFKnights.TV
Radio: FM 96.9 The Game
SETTING THE SCENE
- The UCF men's basketball team has won five consecutive games and has started 8-2 overall in non-conference action heading into Wednesday's game against Bethune-Cookman.
- It is the fourth of four straight home games before the Knights head on the road to Oklahoma to conclude the non-conference schedule on Dec. 21.
- UCF is 5-1 at home this season, having defeated NJIT, Green Bay and most recently Sacred Heart at home during the current win streak.
BREAKING THEIR HEART
- The Knights won their fifth straight game on Sunday, defeating Sacred Heart 76-65.
- UCF held the Pioneers to just 38.8 percent shooting and merely 14.8 percent from 3-point range, hitting just 4-of-27 from beyond the arc.
- The Knights were led by Collin Smith's 14 as four UCF players scored in double figures.
- The Black and Gold outrebounded Sacred Heart 44-38 and had 16 assists to just 11 turnovers in the victory.
LET'S TALK ABOUT STREAKING
- During the Knights' current five-game winning streak, they are outscoring their opponents by 14.2 points per game.
- UCF is shooting 47.7 percent from the floor and holding its opponents to just 40.2 percent from the field.
- The Knights have done an even better just defending the 3-point line during the stretch, holding opponents to just 24.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
- The assists are up (16.8) and the turnovers are down (12.0) during the run, naturally.
- Ceasar DeJesus has led the Knights in scoring during the stretch, averaging 13.8 points on 59.6 percent shooting from the floor.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT DRE
- Dre Fuller Jr. sat out all of last season as a true freshman, practicing every day with B.J. Taylor, Aubrey Dawkins and Tacko Fall.
- In his first season of competition, Fuller has come on strong since the Nov. 23 game against Charleston, starting each of the last six games for the Knights.
- Over the last four games, Fuller has averaged 11.5 points per game.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Gameday app right to your iOS or Android phone. The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news. Click here to download the app now.