ORLANDO – The 2020-21 UCF women's basketball season begins on Wednesday as the Knights play host to Virginia in Addition Financial Arena.
The teams tip at 6 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.
GAME INFO
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 25
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+
Purchase Tickets
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
UCF Athletics is actively working with University leadership, the American Athletic Conference, the NCAA and public health officials on a return to competition that prioritizes the health and well-being of all involved. These and other precautions undertaken are consistent with the guidance of Orange County and the state of Florida.
Fans are asked to do their part by conscientiously practicing physical distancing, frequently washing hands, using hand sanitizer, wearing face coverings and entering the assigned gate on their mobile ticket to ensure the healthiest possible environment at sporting events throughout the 2020-21 season. All fans should keep a safe distance between their party and other fans while inside and outside of Addition Financial Arena.
Those fans who are not feeling well or have been in close contact with someone they suspect may be infected should stay home and contact their doctor.
For the full A to Z guide on all the changes at Addition Financial Arena, click here.
SCOUTING UCF
The Knights return four starters from 2019-20, including preseason first team all-conference selection Brittney Smith. The Orlando native was UCF's second-leading scorer a season ago, averaging 10.5 points per game. The Black and Gold also return their leading rebounder from 2019-20 in Masseny Kaba, who averaged 6.7 board per game and just over a block per contest. The Knights also return starters in Courtajia Sanders and Diamond Battles.
UCF was selected to finish second in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll, the Knights' highest preseason selection since joining the league in 2013-14.
Since taking over in 2016, head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson has led the Black and Gold to four consecutive 20-win campaigns for the first time in the program's Division I history. The Knights earned a first-round bye in four straight AAC tournaments and were the second seed at both the 2019 and 2020 tournaments. Coach ABE has guided the Knights to three postseason appearances and had her squad in the mix for a fourth before the cancellation of spring championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SCOUTING VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers enter 2020-21 with an inexperienced squad, having lost five of their top six scorers from last season, including WNBA first round draft pick Jocelyn Willoughby. Virginia returns two starters from last season, Carole Miller and Amandine Toi. Miller averaged 6.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Toi averaged 4.3 points per contest.
Virginia was selected to finish 15th in the ACC in the head coaches poll and 14th in the blue ribbon panel.
Tina Thompson enters her third season as head coach of the Cavaliers.
THE SERIES
Wednesday's contest marks the second meeting between UCF and Virginia, with the Cavaliers holding the lone victory in the all-time series. The programs previously faced off at the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas on Nov. 25, 2006. Virginia won 76-47.
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