UCF welcomes the top team in the country, No. 1 Arizona, to Addition Financial Arena on Saturday, with tipoff slated for 2 p.m. on ESPN. The Knights are 14-2 (3-1 Big 12), while the Wildcats remain perfect at 17-0 (4-0 Big 12). UCF has won four of its last five games, including an 81-75 surprise over then-No. 17 Kansas in Orlando; Arizona is coming off a 7-point win against Arizona State.
TOP STORYLINE: ARE THE KNIGHTS ALRIGHT?
The Knights have put a quality start to Big 12 play behind Riley Kugel (14.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg) and Jamichael Stillwell (12.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 apg), and have a big opportunity to grab another marquee win over Arizona. Stillwell, and assist leader Themus Fulks (13.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 7.3 apg), have each dipped into double-figure scoring in two consecutive games. 6-foot-8, 235-pound freshman Koa Peat will try to stick himself in the middle of that production.
MATCH UP TO WATCH: DEFENSIVE BOARDS
Led by senior forward Tobe Awaka, Arizona ranks fourth in the nation with 28.2 defensive rebounds per game. UCF (39.3 boards per night) needs a season-high night on the glass if they’re going to earn enough possessions back.
PREDICTION: ARIZONA 80, UCF 74
Even at home, UCF has its hands ridiculously full with Peat and the full arsenal of Wildcats keeping the Tommy Lloyd train on the tracks. Arizona met UCF just one time last season, with the Wildcats picking up the 88-80 win in Tuscon. It’s the first of two top-5 opponents the Knights will face over the next five days with No. 2 Iowa State on the horizon next week.
