Preview: Cincinnati, UFC Set for Big 12 Tournament Clash

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — A rubber match with high stakes awaits when the Cincinnati Bearcats and UCF Knights meet in the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship on Wednesday.

The No. 8-seed Bearcats (18-14) and No. 5-seed Knights (20-10) split their regular-season series, each winning on the other’s home floor. Cincinnati rolled to a 92-72 victory on Feb. 8, while UCF edged the Bearcats 73-72 on Jan. 11.

Cincinnati, a 2.5-point favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook, enters having won three of its last four, including a 73-66 win over Utah on Tuesday. Guard Jalen Celestine led the way with 19 points, continuing a strong stretch where he has averaged 14.4 points over his last seven games.

UCF seeks to halt a three-game skid, its longest of the season, after a 77-62 loss at West Virginia on March 6. Guard Riley Kugel, who scored 16 in that defeat, has been a bright spot, averaging 16.2 points over his last five contests.

The Knights’ recent losses have been narrow, including an 87-86 heartbreaker to then-Baylor and a 111-104 overtime defeat to Oklahoma State.

Cincinnati’s offense has found a rhythm, scoring 90 or more points in three of its last six games. Beyond Celestine, forwards Baba Miller and Moustapha Thiam provide interior presence. UCF counters with a balanced attack featuring Kugel, guard Themus Fulks (16 points vs. West Virginia) and forward Jordan Burks.

The winner advances in the conference tournament, with both teams aware that a deep run could bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes. The over/under is 147.5.

The game is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. EDT tipoff at the T-Mobile Center.