Central Florida @ Tulsa preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 9, 2020 ) Tulsa 75, Central Florida 83

Tulsa will look to avoid a season sweep Saturday when it plays host to Central Florida in the final home game of the regular season for the Golden Hurricane. Tulsa overcame a halftime deficit for the third time during American Athletic Conference play Tuesday as it used a barrage of triples to shoot its way to a 62-57 victory over Tulane.

The Golden Hurricane made 10 3-pointers for the first time during the AAC portion of their schedule – and fourth time all season – as senior guard Lawson Korita knocked down 4-of-6 from downtown and redshirt junior Jeriah Horne went 3-for-8 from long range. Senior Martin Igbanu continues to dominate in his role off the bench as the Nigerian posted 17 points and 11 rebounds against Tulane – his third double-double of the season, all coming in the last nine games. In what has been a disappointing season overall, UCF has still had some memorable moments, including victories over Tulsa and Cincinnati, who are tied with Houston atop the AAC standings. During an 83-75 UCF win over Tulsa on Feb. 9, freshman guard Darin Green Jr. came off the bench to hit 6-of-7 from long range and finished with 26 points – the most by any Knights player this season.

TIME: 6 p.m. ET. TV: ESPNU

ABOUT UCF (14-13, 5-10 AAC): Following a disappointing one-point home loss to Tulane last weekend, the Knights suffered their second consecutive setback Wednesday as they fell to Connecticut 81-65. Redshirt juniors Collin Smith and Ceasar DeJesus led the way against the Huskies with 17 and 14 points, respectively, but each committed four turnovers while combining for just a single assist. The Knights shot 48.1 percent from the floor Wednesday (26-of-54), but only 15.4 percent from downtown (2-of-13) – their third-lowest mark from 3-point range this season.

ABOUT TULSA (19-9, 11-4): The Golden Hurricane are one of the best teams in the country at defending the 3-pointer as their 29.3 percent 3-point field goal defense ranks third in the conference and 22nd nationally. Igbanu is getting to the line at an incredible rate as he’s attempted 175 free throws - the third-most in the AAC, 28th nationally - while knocking them down at a 69.7 percent clip. The Golden Hurricane committed 17 turnovers Tuesday - their most since Dec. 4 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff - but also dished out 17 assists, their most since Dec. 21 against Colorado State.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Knights registered their season highs in field goal percentage (55.6) and 3-point percentage (57.1) during the Feb. 9 meeting against the Golden Hurricane.

2. Igbanu averaged 9.5 points in 13 non-conference games and is putting up 16.7 per game in 15 AAC contests.

3. This will be the 11th visit to Tulsa for the Knights. They are 0-10 all-time.

PREDICTION: Tulsa 68, UCF 58