BYU and UCF will face off for the only time this regular season on Saturday in Orlando, Fla., with significant NCAA Tournament implications for both teams.
BYU (14-6, 5-4 Big 12) appears to be hitting its stride at the perfect time. The Cougars secured their first Quad 1 victory of the season, edging out Baylor 93-89 in overtime on Tuesday. Freshman Kanon Catchings had a standout performance, scoring 23 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting off the bench, helping BYU win three consecutive Big 12 games for the first time since joining the conference.
It was a defining moment for Catchings, who had been struggling to score in double digits since the Big 12 opener against Arizona State.
“You don’t miss a shot, I guess you could call that a breakout game,” said BYU coach Kevin Young. “He was tremendous. I’m happy for him because he’s had some ups and downs but stayed committed.”
Catchings’ performance reflects BYU’s overall improvement after earlier offensive struggles in January.
During their three-game winning streak, the Cougars have averaged 85.3 points per game, shooting 49.3% from beyond the arc and making an average of 11.3 three-pointers per game.
Stopping BYU’s offensive surge will be tough for UCF, and the same can be said for BYU facing UCF’s potent attack.
UCF (13-7, 4-5) has been just as dangerous offensively. The Knights nearly upset Kansas in a 91-87 loss on Tuesday. Over their last three games, UCF is averaging 85.0 points per game and shooting 41.8% from three, making 12.7 three-pointers per game during that span.
Keyshawn Hall has been central to their success, averaging 23.8 points over his last five games, including a 34-point performance against Kansas. Hall is averaging 18.0 points per game on the season, ranking third in the Big 12.
“I’ve just been playing free, not overthinking it,” Hall said. “I’m just enjoying the game. It’s hard to explain, but it’s been fun.”
BYU and UCF played each other three times last season, with the Cougars winning all three matchups.
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