No. 20 BYU (22-9) vs. UCF (17-14).
Tip: Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. MDT.
Venue: T-Cell Middle, Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
TV: ESPN2.
Livestream: WatchESPN.
Radio: 102.7 FM/1160 AM.
Collection: BYU leads, 2-0.
The traits
For BYU: The Cougars (22-9, 10-8 in Huge 12 play) are the No. 5 seed within the Huge 12 Event and earned an opening-round bye. Winners of three of their final 4 video games, the Cougars have a powerful resume that features a NET rating of 12. BYU is 6-7 in opposition to Quad 1 opponents this yr, 4-2 in opposition to Quad 2 opponents, and an undefeated 12-0 in opposition to Quad 3 and Quad 4 opponents.
For UCF: The Knights (17-14, 7-11) are on a two-game profitable streak, the newest being a win over Oklahoma State within the opening spherical of the Huge 12 Event. The Knights struggled throughout the center portion of the convention season, however closed the yr with wins in 4 of their remaining six video games.
Quotable
“Identical to each group, now we have been working in the direction of this all yr lengthy. And never working in the direction of a spot the place this can be a … crescendo pitch, however working in the direction of it like we try to organize and rep and rep and rep to be on this spot. So the fellows are grateful to be right here.” — BYU coach Mark Pope.
“We have now to start out learning them once more and now we have to attempt to discover changes that we will make, as a result of we had two shut video games. They’re an excellent basketball group … Mark has carried out an excellent job with this group. We have to research them this night and discover out the factor we have to do higher. All we centered on coming into this match was Oklahoma State since you by no means know if that’s going to be your final recreation or not, and so that you pour the whole lot into it, and now we are going to pour the whole lot into BYU.” — UCF coach Johnny Dawkins.
The stakes
For BYU: The Cougars are, at this level, a assured NCAA Event group. Most projections put them round a No. 5 seed within the Huge Dance. Profitable the Huge 12 Event of their first yr within the league could be memorable, however the tourney affords little greater than bragging rights, barring an sudden deep run by BYU.
For UCF: The Knights usually are not projected to be an NCAA Event group this yr, like BYU their first within the Huge 12. The NIT is the possible postseason vacation spot for UCF and a shock run within the Huge 12 Event might assist warrant the Knights a excessive seed. The extra wins the higher kind of factor.
Gamers to observe
For BYU: All eyes needs to be on Jaxson Robinson, the Huge 12 Sixth Man of the Yr. Robinson has been very important to the Cougars’ success this season — it may be argued he’s the group’s greatest participant — all whereas coming of the bench in a reserve function. Robinson completed the common season as BYU’s main scorer with 13.9 factors per recreation, capturing 43% from the sphere and 34.8% from distance and the senior’s scoring capabilities have made him an real NBA draft prospect.
For UCF: Ibrahima Diallo, Darius Johnson and Jaylin Sellers had been all Huge 12 honorable point out this yr, however Johnson is arguably the one to pay the closest consideration to. Simply earlier than the tip of the common season — in opposition to TCU — the guard erupted for 33 factors in a key victory for the Knights. In UCF’s opening spherical win over Oklahoma State, Johnson had solely 11 factors, however he shot a team-best 3-of-5 from behind the 3-point arc and handed out a team-high 5 assists. Johnson has been UCF’s greatest shooter this season from 3-point vary and the group’s chief playmaker.