Pitt and UCF — a pair of promising four-win groups — sq. off within the annual Legends Basic on Thursday in Daytona Seashore, Fla.
The occasion enters its nineteenth season with the Panthers (4-1) and Knights (4-1) within the showcase sport. Pitt claimed Legends Basic titles in 2013 and 2008.
The final time the groups met was within the first spherical of the 2004 NCAA Event, when Pitt prevailed 53-44.
It figures to be a aggressive matchup, as Pitt and UCF characteristic a conflict of types: Pitt’s stingy protection restricted Bucknell to 13 whole area targets on Monday, whereas UCF averaged 89 factors throughout its opening 5 contests because of 47.7% taking pictures (51 of 107) from 3-point vary.
UCF defeated visiting Oakland 87-83 on Monday as switch guard Riley Kugel had 18 factors to surpass 1,000 for his profession. The previous Florida Gator and Mississippi State Bulldog has helped gas UCF’s long-range taking pictures with 16 made 3-pointers in 28 makes an attempt.
“We’re not fearful about any sport up to now,” Knights coach Johnny Dawkins mentioned following the newest victory. “These video games are over and we’ll take the teachings we have realized from the video games that we have competed (in) and attempt to get higher the following time we exit on the courtroom. We all know we’ll face one other powerful check.
“Our mindset must be one during which we’re targeted solely on Pitt and never the rest that is round us. Simply give attention to what’s in entrance of us and put together for them.”
One Pitt participant the Knights should put together for is Cameron Corhen. The 6-foot-10 senior shouldn’t be solely taking pictures 62.5% from the ground and scoring 14 factors per sport, however he is also averaging 9.8 rebounds, punctuated by a career-high 13 towards Longwood on Nov. 7.
The Panthers blitzed Bucknell 84-50 as South Alabama switch Barry Dunning Jr. scored 23 factors in 278 minutes off the bench. He shot 7 of 11 from 3-point vary.
UCF coach Jeff Capel was happy to see his staff’s response after a lopsided setback at rival West Virginia 4 days earlier.
“I believe it is simply necessary to have this efficiency coming off of a loss,” Capel mentioned postgame Monday. “As a coach, you do not know how you are going to reply if you come off of a loss, particularly if you come off of a (71-49) loss like that. It is a rivalry, we didn’t play properly (and) we did not play anyplace like we’re able to taking part in.”
–Discipline Stage Media
