Big game for Donnie. Should win this one at home.....I'm sure Danny White will be there again.
UCF looks to extend its two-game winning streak at CFE Arena on Tuesday night against UMass
UCF looks to extend its two-game winning streak at CFE Arena on Tuesday night against UMass
The Knights showcase a balanced offensive attack with sophomore Adonys Henriquez leading a quartet of double-digit scorers with 11.5 points per game. Tacko Fall (10.5), A.J. Davis (10.2) and Shaheed Davis (10.0) are the others averaging double digits.
Defense has been a strong point for UCF, holding its opponents to just 36.36 percent from the field, which is tied for 15th in the NCAA. The Knights also rank ninth nationally in rebounds per game (45.17) and 10th in blocks per game (6.5).
Fall is coming off his biggest week while wearing the Black & Gold, averaging 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and three blocks per game to be named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week.
LAST TIME OUT
- UCF scorched Illinois-Chicago 88-58 at CFE Arena, which was the largest win for the Knights since Dec. 17, 2013 (104-64 vs. Jacksonville).
- Justin McBride came off the bench to aid the Knights in jumping out to a 13-1 lead within the first six minutes. McBride scored six of his 14 during that stretch.
- UCF held a 22-point lead at halftime.
- The Knight held UIC to a field goal percentage of 31.4 and forced 16 turnovers.
- UCF also recorded 13 blocks, which is tied for third most in UCF single-game history.
- Staphon Blair, Chad Brown and Tacko Fall each had three blocks.
- Daiquan Walker scored a game-high 21 points. Seventeen of his points came in the second half.
- UCF's bench scored exactly half (44) of the Knights' points.
- Chance McSpadden filled up the stat sheet, scoring eight points, dishing out six assists and grabbing five steals.
- For the first time this season, UCF was outrebounded, 51-37.
THE SERIES
- Tuesday will be the fourth meeting between the two.
- UMass holds a 1-0 series lead since the other two meetings, which the Knights won, were vacated due to NCAA sanctions.
- The two last officially met on Dec. 22, 2010, and the Knights won 64-59 in Amherst, Massachusetts. The win was later vacated due to NCAA sanctions.
DECEMBERS TO REMEMBER
- The Knights are 22-8 (30-8 with the 2010 vacated wins) in the month of December under head coach Donnie Jones.
CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS
- The Knights rank seventh in the NCAA in rebounds per game, averaging 45.17. Stony Brook leads the nation with 48.83 rebounds per game.
- Shaheed Davis leads UCF in rebounding with 7.0 per game. Tacko Fall (6.3) and Daiquan Walker (5.2) are the only other Knights averaging over five boards a game.
- UCF grabbed 57 rebounds in its overtime loss against UC Irvine on Nov. 18, which is the most for a single game since Nov. 24, 2004.
- The 57 rebounds also sit tied for sixth in UCF single-game history and fourth in The American record books.
STINGY DEFENSE
- UCF is tied for 15th in defensive field-goal percentage, allowing its opponents to shoot just 36.36 percent from the field.
- The Knights have also held their opponents to shooting 28.5 percent from behind the arc, which ranks 32nd nationally.
- UCF is 10th in the NCAA in blocks per game, averaging 6.5.
- The Knights bolster a stingy defense despite averaging the nation's seventh fewest fouls per game (15.33).
FALL GRABS LEAGUE HONOR
- Tacko Fall was named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week on Dec. 7.
- The freshman averaged 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and three blocks during the Knights' sweep of Stetson and Illinois-Chicago. He also shot 76.5 percent from the field.
- The 7-foot-6 center is tied for 13th nationally in blocked shots per game, averaging 2.83.
SIZE MATTERS
- UCF has the seventh biggest roster in NCAA Division I men's basketball with an average height of 6-6.78. Florida State holds the top spot with an average height of 6-7.53.
- The Knights are also one of seven programs to lead the NCAA with having six players 6-9 or taller on their roster. Others with six are: Duke, Louisville, Maryland, San Diego State, UCLA and Oregon State.
