The first ever matchup between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the UCF Knights will take place Friday night in a college basketball game. This one is sure to be exciting.
The two teams have identical 2-1 records, but the Cowboys are a 6-point favorite against the Knights. This game will be televised by CBS Sports Network.
Game Time
The ucf vs oklahoma basketball game is a good matchup between two teams that have made a name for themselves in the state of Florida. These two teams will meet for the second time in a home-and-home this Friday at Baha Mar Convention Center.
It’s an important game for the Knights, as they are a 2-1 team to start the season after a double-overtime loss against UNC Asheville and a win over Florida State. Coach Kermit Davis will need to get his team ready for a game against an opponent that will pose a real challenge.
UCF has a solid core of players from last season, including Isaiah Adams and Darius Perry who withdrew from the NBA draft to return for their senior seasons. Both of these young stars are expected to be major contributors to a deep Knights team this year.
They will be joined by returning players Darin Green Jr., Dre Fuller, and Jamielle Reynolds who are all expected to make big contributions this season as well. It’s a talented group that has earned high expectations ahead of this week’s trip to the Bahamas.
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Venue
UCF has looked very good so far this season, winning their first three games by an average of 22 points a game. This is a team that has been picking up the nuances of college basketball quickly, and they’ll be ready to continue their success against Oklahoma State Friday night at Baha Mar.
The Knights have a solid lineup and are playing a very tough schedule this year. They’re ranked eighth in the nation in defensive efficiency and have a high rate of offensive rebounds, which they average 16.7 per game. The Knights will be facing a team that has struggled in the past, but they have a few key players back who should help them win this game and keep the momentum going for the rest of the season.
This is an early season matchup, and both teams are coming off big wins in their last two games. UCF blew out Western Illinois 70-37 on Monday, and Oklahoma State took care of Oakland 91-62 the following day.
These two teams are a combined 2-1, so this should be an interesting matchup between two quality basketball programs. Both of these teams have been in the news for their recent performances, so you’re bound to see a lot of buzz around this game.
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Schedule
The schedule for this year’s UCF vs Oklahoma game is packed with high-profile games on both sides of the ball. The Knights have their sights set on a return trip to the state of Texas, while the Sooners are looking to bounce back after a dreadful 2-18 campaign in which they made the NCAA Tournament.
The biggest question is how will the team fare without leading scorer Austin Reaves, who is reportedly headed to the pros? The new coach is Porter Moser, who comes to the program after a stint at Loyola Chicago where he led the Bulldogs to a pair of Sweet 16 appearances in the past two seasons.
The Knights have the honor of hosting their first game at the brand new SJB Pavilion in downtown Orlando, while the Cowboys will make the trip northbound to Stillwater for a home game on the big stage of Gallagher-Iba Arena. This is the varsity sport’s version of the school bus, and there’s no denying that it’s a privilege to play at this venue. This is the kind of place where the fans are treated like family, and this will be a night to remember for the Cowboys.
Predictions
UCF and Oklahoma State are both 1-2 on the season, with both teams coming off wins. The Knights have won their last two games, a 70-37 win over Western Illinois as a favorite and a 96-90 victory over Tulsa as a favorite, while the Cowboys have won their first two games by a combined score of 91-62.
The Knights come into this game averaging 77.7 points per game on offense and allowing 62.7 per game on defense. They have a scoring differential of -44 and are ranked 257th in college basketball.
Freshman forward Taylor Hendricks leads the Knights in both scoring and rebounding with 14.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Hendricks is followed by senior guard C.J. Kelly with 14.0 points and senior guard Ithiel Horton with 10.0 ppg.
Junior guard Jordan Gibson, a Duke transfer, has also been a big part of the team’s success, averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He has also sunk a career-high 13 three-pointers this season, helping the team convert a league-best 67.4 percent from deep.
Senior forward Jordan Hamilton is averaging 10.8 points and 7.0 rebounds, while 6-7 junior forward Nick King has added 9.0 ppg to the mix. The Sooners have a solid frontcourt with Groves, Gibson and Hamilton all capable of contributing.