Kugel Tabbed to Big 12 Starting FiveKugel Tabbed to Big 12 Starting Five
Matthew Richards / UCF Athletics

Kugel Tabbed to Big 12 Starting Five

by Aiden Kocol

ORLANDO – After leading the charge in the men’s basketball conference opener, UCF’s Riley Kugel has been named to the Big 12 Starting Five, as announced Monday afternoon.

Kugel is joined on the list by BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic, and Texas Tech’s JT Toppin.

The senior paced the Knights in a statement 81-75 victory over then-No. 17 Kansas this past weekend, scoring 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting. His performance was highlighted by a game-sealing and-one in the closing moments.

An Orlando, Fla., native, Kugel has made his homecoming a memorable one. He leads the Knights with 183 total points (14.1 ppg) while shooting 40.5 percent from the field. Kugel also ranks second on the team in assists, dishing out 31 so far this season.

Kugel has reached double figures in nine games this year, with his standout outing coming against Vanderbilt. In that contest, he poured in a career-high 25 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while adding four assists and five rebounds.

Kugel and the rest of the squad will be back in action tomorrow, Jan. 6, taking on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their first Big 12 road test of the season. Tipoff is set for 8 PM in Gallagher-Iba Arena, with the game broadcast on ESPN+, or you can follow along on radio using the link here.

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SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
UCF basketball single-game and season tickets are on sale now. Be sure to catch all the action at Addition Financial Arena as Big 12 play heats up in Orlando. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office at (407) 823-1000 or online here. 

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.