UCF basketball takeaways: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas hand Knights historic 51-point loss

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ORLANDO — For the second year in a row, UCF made history when hosting Kansas for its Big 12 men’s basketball opener.

Last January, the Knights scored their biggest upset in program history against the then-No. 3 Jayhawks, igniting a court-storming celebration from the sellout crowd. There was no such joy Sunday inside Addition Financial Arena, rather the worst beating UCF has ever taken on its home floor.

Preseason All-American center Hunter Dickinson had 27 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, starring as seventh-ranked Kansas (10-3, 1-1) pummeled the Knights 99-48 in front of 9,669 fans. The Jayhawks shot 50.6% from the field with five players finishing in double figures, and outrebounded UCF (10-3, 1-1) 63-32 with 22 offensive boards resulting in 37 second-chance points.

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Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) and UCF Knights guard Dallan Coleman (6) chase a loose ball during the second half at Addition Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

UCF, which entered on a six-game winning streak following Tuesday’s toppling of Texas Tech on the road, matched the second-worst, all-time margin of defeat. It lost by 51 at Florida all the way back in 1984.

“I thought Kansas played a really good game. They came in with a great focus, and I thought they made a lot of connecting plays, especially offensively,” Knights coach Johnny Dawkins said. “When they didn’t make a play offensively, they did a really good job of getting second and third opportunities that led to points for them as well.

“The way we hang our hat, the one place, is defensively and rebounding. I thought, in both areas, it wasn’t who we’ve been or who we want to be. We have to get back in the gym, and we have to start working toward what we have to do to be successful in this conference.”

UCF never led, falling into a 19-point halftime hole and making just 14 field goals…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ucf-basketball-takeaways-hunter-dickinson-011741844.html

Author : Daytona Beach News-Journal

Publish date : 2025-01-06 01:17:00

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