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UCF Basketball: 3 keys for Knights to pull off upset over Houston Cougars

By Thomas J. Brown

WICHITA, KS - JANUARY 25: Head coach Johnny Dawkins of the UCF Knights calls out instructions during the first half against the Wichita State Shockers at Charles Koch Arena on January 25, 2020 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS - JANUARY 25: Head coach Johnny Dawkins of the UCF Knights calls out instructions during the first half against the Wichita State Shockers at Charles Koch Arena on January 25, 2020 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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Ithiel Horton Central Florida Knights (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Ithiel Horton Central Florida Knights (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Slow down the tempo!

Although UCF averages 72.1 points per game, trying to win a foot race with the Houston Cougars would be a bad idea. For starters, Houston has the veteran leadership to rattle the young Knights and force them to make costly turnovers if they get into an up-and-down game with them. Marcus Sasser is a senior and Tramon Mark is a junior. These two stellar guards, who lead Houston’s attack, are not only capable scorers, but they’re also savvy defenders who can create costly turnovers.

Sure, UCF has some veteran leadership in the form of senior guards Ithiel Horton and C.J. Kelly. However, Houston’s players are more accustomed to playing in high-stakes games, which makes their experience level unique. Last season, the Cougars lost six games all season, walked away with the AAC Championship, and won the first three rounds of the NCAA Tournament before losing in the Elite Eight. UCF, on the other hand, went 18 and 12 and did not receive a postseason invite.

The Cougars are a lot more accustomed to the spotlight. Guards Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead are averaging 2.0 and 1.7 steals per game respectively for Houston; if they sense hesitancy in UCF’s backcourt they will be sure to wreak havoc by creating turnovers.

It is no accident that both of Houston’s losses this year have come on nights when their opponent slowed down the tempo and held them well below their season average of 75.1 points. In a December loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Cougars scored 65 points. In Sunday’s loss to Temple, they scored 55; the key to frustrating Houston is in limiting their ability to create easy scoring opportunities and giving them the potential to create excitement and momentum. UCF may be tempted to run with Houston, but this season’s track record has shown that is a bad idea.