The University of Arizona men’s basketball team (9-5, 3-0 in Big 12) will play the University of Central Florida (11-3, 2-1 in Big 12) in the McKale Center on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m.
The two programs have never faced each other in basketball history, marking this as their first meeting in the books. Notably, the Wildcats are currently on a five-game winning streak, the longest streak they have had this season.
UCF players to watch
The Knight’s are led by Johnny Dawkins who is in his ninth season as head coach. Prior to UCF, Dawkins worked as assistant coach at Duke University for 10 seasons, making NCAA Championship appearances in every season. Dawkins is also highlighted for his extensive player development, specifically regarding Taylor Hendricks who was the ninth 2023 NBA draft pick for the Utah Jazz.
Keyshawn Hall, a 6 -foot-7 guard and forward, leads the Knights in both points and rebounds, averaging 15.6 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game. In UCF’s most recent victory against the University of Colorado on Jan. 8 Hall secured 18 points and 7 rebounds, the most boards collected out of all the Knights for the game. The team came away with a 1-point win, 75-74, making every basket and rebound crucial to the game.
Hall is a junior transfer from George Mason University. During his sophomore season there, he was named NABC First Team All-District and one of 14 players in the nation to average more than 17 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 assists on the year. Hall continues to put impressive numbers on the stat line and execute constant plays for the Knights.
Trailing close behind Hall in points is Jordan Ivy-Curry, a fifth-year guard who, prior to UCF, played at the University of Texas at San Antonio. At UTSA, Curry averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. As a Knight, he averages 15.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and has recorded 35 assists this season.
Ivy-Curry dominated the court in the game against Colorado, coming away with 22 points, the most for any Knight that game as well as the most he’d scored this season. He also added three steals, four assists and six rebounds. Additionally, he shot 53.8 percent from inside the paint and 40 percent from 3-point range.
Wildcats to watch
Head coach Tommy Lloyd has led the Wildcats for the last three seasons, making this his fourth. Lloyd has guided his team into five consecutive wins heading into this game, three of them in conference play. He is known for many awards he received in the 2022 season as head coach, including securing the most wins out of any NCAA coach in his first two seasons with Arizona.
Henri Veesaar, a 7-foot sophomore forward, has proved himself destructive underneath the basket. Veesaar leads the Wildcats with 12 blocks this season, showcasing his defensive prowess. Notably, he averages 6.9 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. While Veesaar is most often seen down low on the court, he has also contributed 17 assists this season, serving as a playmaker for Arizona.
In the Wildcat’s thrilling victory against the University of Cincinnati, Veesaar brought down eight rebounds and dished out four assists, leading Arizona in both categories. While being underneath the hoop, Veesaar was able to put up 8 points as well, shooting 60 percent from the field.
KJ Lewis, a returning sophomore guard, has been making impressive moves on the court both offensively and defensively. In Arizona’s win over West Virginia University, Lewis landed 21 points, a season-high for him as well as the most points scored for the night from either team that game. He also had two steals, four assists and three rebounds. Lewis shot 69 percent from inside the arc, making 9-of 13-shots.
Overall, Lewis averages 10.3 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game, deeming him effective on both ends of the court. Despite not being the tallest standing at 6-foot-4, he has collected 21 steals this season and 10 blocks, falling in second behind Veesaar.
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