UCF Looks to Rebound Versus Bethune-CookmanUCF Looks to Rebound Versus Bethune-Cookman

UCF Looks to Rebound Versus Bethune-Cookman

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ORLANDO, Fla. – UCF men's hoops (4-2) will make its return to Addition Financial Arena on Sunday, Dec. 5 as the Knights will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they clash with Bethune-Cookman (1-6) for a 2:00 p.m tipoff.
 
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and Marc Daniels will be on the call on FM 96.9 The Game.
 
Before the Knights' last two games, they were off to a 4-0 start to the season. As a team, the Knights led The American with an 81.9 percent free throw percentage and were third in the conference with a 46.1 percent field goal percentage through their first five games.

Bethune-Cookman is off to a slow start to the season as the Wildcats are 1-6, with their lone win coming over Bryant University on Nov. 20. The Wildcats did not play in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and their 2021-22 season opener marked 614 days since their last game action.
 
Bethune-Cookman head coach Reggie Theus, who also serves as the Athletic Director for the program, is in his first season at the helm of the Wildcats.
 
Sunday's game marks the 28th meeting between UCF and Bethune-Cookman, with UCF holding the all-time series lead at 20-7. The Knights have won 13 straight over the Wildcats, including a 70-65 victory the last time the two sides faced off on Dec. 18, 2019.
 
Game Information
Date: Sunday, Dec. 5
Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN+
Radio: FM 96.9 The Game
 
SOLID START             

  • The UCF men's basketball team opened the season with a 69-59 win over Robert Morris on Nov. 10 in front of 4,869 fans at Addition Financial Arena.
  • UCF followed up its stellar opening Knight victory with wins over Miami and Evansville on the road and a victory over Jacksonville in front of its home crowd in Orlando.
  • As a team, the Knights led The American with a 81.9 percent free throw percentage and were third in the conference with a 46.1 percent field goal percentage through their first five games.
  • The Knights were also top three in The American with 14.6 assists per game over that stretch.
  • Following a strong undefeated start to the season, the Knights were receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll on Nov. 22.
  • The Knights' appearance in the poll marked their first since Dec. 28, 2020 and their 20th under head coach Johnny Dawkins (2016-present).
  • Before falling to Oklahoma on Nov. 27, UCF's 4-0 start marked their seventh best in program history [2010-11 (14-0), 2006-07 (6-0), 1993-94 (5-0), 1981-82 (5-0), 1979-80 (15-0) and 1969-70 (8-0)].

MONEY AT THE LINE

  • UCF has knocked down 80.2 percent of its free throw opportunities through the first six games of the season, which leads the conference and is 10th in the nation as of Dec. 5
  • The Knights' current single-season record for highest field goal percentage is 76.1 percent (1975-76).
  • Fifth year senior Brandon Mahan has not missed a free throw dating back to 02/01/21 at Memphis (last 16 games).
  • Mahan is a perfect 36-for-36 in free throw attempts over that stretch.
  • Mahan is currently UCF's all-time free throw percentage leader at 86.0 percent over his career.
  • Mahan is one of six players in the country who is perfect at the line (15-15) and has made 2.5 free throws per game.
  • As of Dec. 4, four Knights are shooting 85.0 percent or better from the line (min. six attempts).

IT'S BEEN A WHILE... 

  • The Knights haven't lost to Bethune-Cookman since Feb. 23, 1994.
  • Over that stretch, UCF has won 13 straight games, outscoring the Wildcats, 950-762.
  • It's been even longer since they beat UCF in Orlando, last occuring on Feb. 22, 1989, or 32 years ago.
  • UCF posted 101 points over the Wildcats on Dec. 22, 2015.
  • Knights' head coach Johnny Dawkins is 2-0 over Bethune-Cookman during hs time at UCF.

GREEN IS GOOD                                                        

  • Junior Darin Green Jr. has made a big leap forward in year three with the Knights as he leads the team with 16.4 points per game to open the season.
  • Green has led UCF in points in four out of its six five games to open play, with double-digit points in all but one game
  • He is averaging 15.0 ppg to open the season and has posted two games with five made threes to open the season
  • Green debuted on the season with a solid 14 points, including six from beyond the arc, to open the 2021-22 season with a win over Robert Morris Nov. 10.
  • He followed up the solid opening game with a team-high 23-point effort in UCF's 95-89 win at Miami on Nov. 13, and another team-high 11 points in the Knight's 63-54 win over Jacksonville on Nov. 16.
  • Green was solid in year two for the Knights during the 2020-21 season, averaging 11.3 points per game, which ranked 17th in the conference and third on the team.
  • The Charlotte, North Carolina product also led the Knights with 53 made 3-pointers in 2020-21 and ranked seventh in the league with 2.3 made threes per game. 
  • Green was also monumental in UCF's 86-74 win over then 15th-rated Florida State last season as he knocked down six 3-pointers and scored a season-high 20 points against the Seminoles.
  • In his freshman season in 2020-21, Green set a UCF freshman record with 68 made 3-pointers
  • He led The American with 41.7 percent shooting from 3-point range and 2.3 threes made per game.

PERRY POISED AS POINT GUARD                                         

  • Fifth-year senior Darius Perry proved to be a leader for the Knights in his first season in Orlando, leading the way with 14.7 points per game, good for seventh in the conference.
  • Perry was named a team captain, along with Cheikh Mbacke Diong and Levy Renaud to begin the 2021-22 season.
  • Perry iIs second in the conference and 44th in the nation with 4.0 assists per game and he currently leads the Knights with 30 total assists on the season.
  • He posted fourth straight game of 15+ points against No. 21 Auburn (12/01) and set season-high with six rebounds and five steals against the Tiger
  • Perry immediately proved to be worthy of that honor as he led the Knights with 18 points, four assists and four offensive rebounds to help the Knights edge out Robert Morris in their season opener.
  • Perry is currently second in the conference and 35th in the nation with 5.2 asssits per game.
  • He currently leads UCF with 26 assists on the season (next closest is 10), is second on the team with 67 points to open the season, and is third on the team with 19 rebounds through team's first five games.
  • The former Louisville Cardinal was a third-team all-conference honoree last season.
  • Perry also led UCF in assists with 3.4 per contest, was second among qualifiers with a 38.3 three-point field goal percentage and was second behind only Mahan with a 86.4 free throw percentage.
  • Perry made 10 made 3-pointers against Tulsa (Feb. 6) and Wichita State (Feb. 10) in 2020-21, which were the most made threes in back-to-back games by a Knight since Matt Williams had 10 against Houston and Memphis on Feb. 1 and Feb. 4, 2017.


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