Arizona basketball hosts UCF to continue hot conference start. Read more for a full Arizona vs UCF prediction and preview.
Arizona basketball (9-5, 3-0 Big 12) faces the UCF Knights (11-3, 2-1 Big 12) on Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. MST (10 p.m. EST). The Wildcats matchup against the Knights is a first for each program. Arizona continues to roll after three straight conference wins, as they prepare to face some of the hardest competition in the conference for weeks to come.
General Information:
Teams: Arizona (9-5, 3-0) and UCF (11-3, 2-1)
Tip time: 8 p.m. MST (10 p.m. EST)
Watch: ESPN
Listen: Wildcats Radio 1290 AM
Latest on UCF basketball:
UCF has had a stellar start to their season, going 11-3. They opened their year with a huge win against then-No.13 Texas A&M. After four straight wins, UCF struggled against then-No.19 Wisconsin and LSU with both teams handing the Knights losses. After these losses, the Knights would come right back winning six straight before falling to then-No.7 Kansas in Orlando. Before the meeting against Arizona, UCF turned their luck around with a close 75-74 win over Colorado.
Technically, the Knights are undefeated in away matchups going 1-0 with their one win against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. They have also played three neutral site games going 1-2 in the matchups.Â
UCF is led by Keyshawn Hall, Jordan Ivy-Curry, and Darius Johnson whom all are averaging just around 15 points per game.Â
Hall is the team leader in points and rebounds having 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. Despite the high points totals, Hall is coming off two rough outings where he shot below 40% from the field. Hall is a junior who is on his third career team, starting at UNLV then, transferring to George Mason, and now to UCF.
Ivy-Curry doesn’t lead the team in any specific stat but comes as a close second to Hall in points. Ivy-Curry is currently averaging 15.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Ivy-Curry is another key transfer for the Knights, he started his career at the University of Texas-San Antonio, then transferred his junior year to Pacific University, and then back to UTSA for his senior year before coming to UCF as a fifth-year.
Johnson leads the Knights in steals and assists, averaging 3.0 steals and 4.1 assists. While also averaging 14.7 points and 3.9 rebounds. Unlike Hall, Johnson is a senior who has spent his four years at UCF. While this is a down year in points for the guard, he has seen increases in his rebounds, assists, steals, field-goal percentage, and three-point percentage.Â
Latest on Arizona basketball:
Arizona basketball has been on an electric run with five straight games, with their last two coming against ranked opponents. After a disappointing start going 4-5 with several disastrous losses, the Wildcats have turned their season around and looked stellar since.
Arizona’s resurgent star, KJ Lewis, has continued to prove himself as being a crucial piece to Arizona’s roster. After starting the season and having performance struggles on the court, Lewis was benched and has since blossomed in his new position.
Henri Veesaar has also seen a change in utilization, expanding beyond the traditional big role. In several recent games, he has posted season-highs of 4 assists and 2 steals. This has been compounded by a better performance in his overall big role remaining consistent in rebounds and better at his blocking.
Arizona has developed its plan for the team, despite some early initial setbacks with player roles and injuries. Can Arizona continue its string of success or will their run come to an end?
Arizona vs UCF Prediction: Wildcats win by 7 (75-68)
Arizona looks poised to capture a victory after continuing a massive hot streak after two straight wins against ranked opponents. UCF has had a weaker strength of schedule recently with closer wins and worse losses, compared to Arizona. Arizona scores more points on average with 84.1 compared to the Knights’ 78.5. The Wildcats also have a better field-goal percentage with 48.7% from the field, compared to UCF’s 42% from the field.