How To Follow UCF Basketball's Non-conference Finale Vs. Florida Atlantic: Tip-off Time, TV Channel, And Odds
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Venue: State Farm Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Lake Buena Vista, Florida)
Tip-off: Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2:00 p.m. EST
TV/Streaming: This game is not being broadcast or streamed.
Radio: FM 96.9 FM / AM 740 (Play-by-Play: Marc Daniels)
Live Twitter/X Updates: @itsBrysonTurner and @UCFKnightsOnSI
Odds: UCF is a 8.5-point favorite, according to The Action Network.
Series History: UCF leads series, 23-10 (Last Meeting: 2024)
Quick Facts:
1. They're Going to Disney World!
Originally opened in 1997 and located 34 miles from UCF's campus, the ESPN Wide World of Sports has hosted the Knights men's basketball team twice in its history.
First, there was the Old Spice Classic in November 2007, in which the Knights lost to Villanova and Kansas State in overtime, but ended the tournament with a win over Penn State.
The last time UCF visited the complex was in November 2017 for the Advocare Invitational; they started with a win over Nebraska, but dropped their next two games to West Virginia and St. John.
So, the Knights are looking for their third win inside the State Farm Fieldhouse as they take on the Owls.
2. Last-Minute Christmas Gift
UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said this matchup was put together on "short notice" after a game against a different opponent fell through. With most other college basketball schedules having already been released at that time, the Knights were left "scrambling" to find a new opponent. Dawkins said he was "happy" they were able to get a game with the Owls.
It marks the Knights' second neutral-site game of the season after they defeated Pittsburgh in Daytona Beach's Ocean Center, 77-67. Dawkins said he thought the team prepared well for that game, and the same thing is needed for Florida Atlantic.
3. Owls To Watch
While projected to finish sixth in The American, Florida Atlantic got off to a loud start to its season with a victory over Boston College in overtime.
The Owls sport forward Devin Williams, who accounts for 35 of the team's 70 blocks so far this season. He ranks inside the Top 10 in the nation in blocks individually and has propelled his team to 13th in the nation in blocks per game.
There is also guard Kanaan Carlyle, who ranks 14th in the nation in free-throw percentage, and Devin Vanterpool, their main offensive driver, who ranks in the Top 10 in The American in points, rebounds and steals.
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Bryson Turner is a sports journalist who covers UCF Athletics. Turner has contributed to the Black and Gold Banneret, the home for UCF Athletics on SB Nation. He has called the Orlando area home since the age of 8 and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from UCF.
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