UCF brings a winning line with two games and a growing rookie center to a BIG 12-showdown with TCU on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.
The knights (15-13, 6-11 Big 12) beat Kansas State 80-76 Wednesday at home behind the first double dub from Moustapha Thiam, who had 11 points and 10 returns.
The 7-foot-2 Senegal natives had almost a triple tub when he tied a UCF disc with eight blocked shots. During the last 11 games, Thiam has an average of 13.7 points, 6.6 returns and 2.9 blocks.
“You must have someone who can protect the edge,” said UCF coach Johnny Dawkins. “Especially in this league. You have so many talented players who can get off bounce and get to the basket. You have so many mail players who can make lows. You need guys who can protect the edge, rebound and block shots.”
Keyshawn Hall leads the knights with 19.1 points and 6.8 returns per match. He got 26 points and Darius Johnson had 23 points in the victory over Wildcats.
Horned Frogs (15-13, 8-9) lost 73-55 Tuesday at West Virginia. When the time goes to take up victory with regular season, TCU coach Jamie Dixon wants Horned Frogs to move on.
“I told our guys that we have to get ready for central Florida,” Dixon said. “It wasn’t a good trip for us. We lost for two good teams on the road and did not do the things we needed to do. We have work to do. I know it is late in the year to say so, but I think we can find ways to get better.”
The Trazarien White scored 11 points and was the only Horned Frogs player to score in double -digit numbers. Leading goal scores Noah Reynolds (12.3 points per match) were held at two points.
When TCU hosted mountaineers earlier this month, Reynolds and Vasean Allette (11.6 points) combined for 42 points in a 65-60 victory. On Tuesday they were combined for 10. They have to give more for TCU if it wants to make a late season or BIG 12 tournament.
“Every guy must be better than where we are right now,” Dixon said. “It’s really the message I gave our guys. We have to focus again.”
-Field level media
