UCF has a scary team. The Knights upset then-#3 Kansas at home and most recently beat Texas on the road and gave the dreaded “Horns DOWN” in a classic post-game handshake line confrontation. I studied UCF’s games against Kansas and BYU. I would have loved to have watched their game against Texas, but…it was on the Longhorn Network. Sigh.

Thanks to Brad Towns for his help in adding video clips.

UCF Overview

UCF’s size really stands out to me on film. They are massive. They have two huge post players, Ibrahima Diallo and Omar Payne, and they also have lengthy forwards. The Knights are not overwhelmingly great at anything but are pretty solid at everything.

They are a good interior-defensive team with their ability to rebound and block shots. They are in the top 30 in the nation in forcing turnovers. This could be a defensive war and will likely look sloppy for both teams at times.

Head of the Snake

Jaylin Sellers is the “Head of the Snake” for UCF. He is their leading scorer (18 points per game) and a legitimate three-level threat. Sellers is a 6’4″ LEFTY, a solid three-point shooter, capable of the mid-range jumper, and athletic enough to finish at the rim. He is a very good offensive rebounder as well.

I really like their point guard, Darius Johnson, as well. He is the engine for them on offense and defense, but Sellers is the key for them to have a chance to pull the upset.

UCF Offense

They prefer the half-court game but will run in transition when they can; Only 28% of their shot attempts are in transition;
Four starters – Sellers, Johnson, Shemarri Allen, and Marchelus Avery – have 619 of their 978 (63.3%) shot attempts. They are their best shooters, and the Coogs must get out on them quickly. Their other guys are best inside the paint;
Guards like to drive to score or kick to open shooters; 78.4% of their shot attempts are either at the rim or from behind the arc;
Outstanding at offensive rebounding and put-back lay-ups; (ranked #22 nationally in offensive rebounds, averaging 13orpg! Must put a body on them).

UCF Defense

Primarily a halfcourt man-to-man defensive team; May try some fullcourt M2M at times;
May run some 1-3-1 zone defense
May run some 2-3 zone defense
Not great in transition defense (Opponents shoot 51.8% in transition)
Struggle guarding the paint; UH guards must attack!
Outstanding shot-blocking team (26th in the nation at 5.6 bpg)
Really good rebounding team (ranked #46 in the nation in rebounding at 39.75 rebounds per game)
Ranked #36 in the nation in scoring defense at 65.1 opponents points per game. Houston is still ranked #1 nationally in scoring defense while only giving up 51.5 points per game.
Ranked #14 in the nation in turnovers forced at 16.19 per game. Houston is ranked #10 in the same category at 16.94 turnovers forced per game! Who will have the cleaner game?
Ranked #28 in the nation in steals at 9.2 steals per game.