Central Florida @ Stetson preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 30, 2016 ) Stetson 45, Central Florida 81

After a week away from the court, Central Florida heads to Stetson on Tuesday looking to continue a surge as the Knights get closer to the start of American Athletic Conference play. UCF has won three consecutive games and seeks its second four-game winning streak of the season.

While the Knights have tightened up defensively, allowing 62 or fewer points in five consecutive games, it's been another area that UCF has cleaned up that has contributed to the recent run of success - turnovers. While the Knights are averaging 16.3 turnovers per game, they have committed a total of 24 in the past two games and had a season-low 11 in the last outing. "We're definitely trending in the right direction offensively because we're valuing the possessions,'' UCF coach Johnny Dawkins told reporters after the win against Southeastern Louisiana last Tuesday. "We're valuing the ball more (and those) things are necessary to give yourself a chance to win.'' Stetson likes to pressure the ball, however, averaging seven steals per game and has reached double digits in steals in three of the past five games.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (7-3): After missing the opening two games of the season due to injury, Tacko Fall is starting to find his game for the Knights. The 7-6 center has seen his minutes begin to increase recently with a season-high 30 against Southeastern Louisiana in his best game of the season. Fall recorded his first double-double of the campaign, finishing with season-highs in points (19), rebounds (11) and blocked shots (5).

ABOUT STETSON (7-6): The Hatters have been inconsistent of late, alternating wins a losses over the past eight games. When Stetson has won, the Hatters are shooting at least 48 percent from the floor and have been above 50 percent in three of the four wins. In three of the four loses in that span, Stetson shot below 43 percent.

TIP-INS

1. UCF leads the all-time series 28-15 and has won 17 consecutive meetings against Stetson, which last beat UCF on Jan. 27, 2001.

2. UCF F A.J. Davis is averaging 9.7 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the AAC.

3. Stetson G Divine Myles leads the Hatters in scoring (17.6), hitting double digits in every game this season and reaching the 20-point mark five times.

PREDICTION: UCF 68, Stetson 65