A History of Matchups: Tarleton State vs. UCF
This article delves into the history between the Tarleton State Texans and the UCF Knights, examining their past encounters and providing context for their matchups. The information presented relies on available game data and reports.
First Meeting in Orlando
The first meeting between Tarleton State and UCF took place in Orlando at the Addition Financial Arena. On December 11, 2022, UCF dominated the game, defeating the Texans 75-49.
December 8, 2024: UCF vs. Tarleton State
Almost two years later, on December 8, 2024, the Knights faced the Tarleton State Texans again at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida. UCF won the game 66-51.
Game Details and How to Watch
The game was broadcast on ESPN+, with Austin Lyon providing play-by-play commentary and BJ Taylor serving as the color analyst.
Odds
According to FanDuel as of Saturday, December 7, UCF was favored by 24½ points, with an over/under of 135½.
Read also: The History of Tarleton State Baseball
UCF's Season Leading Up to the Game
Prior to the December 8th game against Tarleton State, the Knights held a 6-2 record. Their season included wins against Texas A&M (64-61), Purdue Fort Wayne (75-68), Florida Atlantic (100-94), Tennessee Tech (80-69), Milwaukee (84-76), and California Baptist (74-59). Their losses came against Wisconsin (86-70) and LSU (109-102 in 3OT) at the Greenbrier Tip-Off.
Tarleton State's Season Leading Up to the Game
The Texans, representing the Western Athletic Conference, entered the game with a 3-7 record. They had secured a win against Dallas Christian but had faced tough competition from teams like SMU, Florida State, Baylor, and Michigan.
Key Players
UCF
- Darius Johnson: The senior guard, who also started in the first game between the two teams, led UCF with 16.1 points per game.
- Jordan Ivy-Curry: The fifth-year guard averaged 16 points per game.
- Keyshawn Hall: The junior guard/forward contributed 15.5 points per game.
- Marcellus Thiam: Scored 10 points (4-9 FG).
- Darius Johnson: Scored 10 points (2-5 FG).
Tarleton State
- Bubu Benjamin: The sophomore guard was Tarleton State's leading scorer with 17.6 points per game.
- C. Mpaka: Scored 11 points (4-11 FG).
- B. Benjamin: Scored 13 points (5-7 FG).
- I. Miles: Scored 9 points (4-10 FG).
Game Statistics
Tarleton State Starters
- C. Mpaka: 25 MIN, 11 PTS, 4-11 FG, 0-0 3PT, 3-6 FT, 9 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 2 PF
- K. Bristow: 36 MIN, 8 PTS, 4-10 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 7 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 8 TO, 2 PF
- B. Benjamin: 26 MIN, 13 PTS, 5-7 FG, 3-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 3 PF
- I. Miles: 39 MIN, 9 PTS, 4-10 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-3 FT, 2 REB, 3 AST, 8 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 4 PF
- N. Krass: 31 MIN, 2 PTS, 1-5 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 3 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 5 PF
Tarleton State Bench
- J. Mizell: 22 MIN, 4 PTS, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 3 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF
- R. Harrison Jr.: 14 MIN, 4 PTS, 2-6 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 4 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF
- J. Martinez: 7 MIN, 0 PTS, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF
- M. Krass: 1 MIN, 0 PTS, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF
UCF Starters
- M. Thiam: 31 MIN, 10 PTS, 4-9 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT, 9 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 6 BLK, 2 TO, 3 PF
- K. Hall: 28 MIN, 8 PTS, 1-7 FG, 1-4 3PT, 5-6 FT, 6 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF
- J. Ivy-Curry: 27 MIN, 16 PTS, 5-12 FG, 4-10 3PT, 2-2 FT, 6 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF
- D. Johnson: 39 MIN, 10 PTS, 2-5 FG, 2-4 3PT, 4-4 FT, 2 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TO, 1 PF
- D. Coleman: -- MIN, 8 PTS, 3-9 FG, 1-7 3PT, 1-1 FT, 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF
UCF Bench
- J. Taylor: 15 MIN, 6 PTS, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT, 3-5 FT, 4 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 1 PF
- N. Machowski: 6 MIN, 0 PTS, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF
- B. Williams: 17 MIN, 6 PTS, 2-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, 3 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF
- D. Johnson: 8 MIN, 2 PTS, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF
- R. Sellers: Dealing with an undisclosed injury and is uncertain.
- B. Williams: Dealing with a foot injury and is uncertain.
- S. Simpson: Dealing with an illness and is uncertain.
Trends and Injuries
Tarleton State
No injuries were reported.
UCF
UCF faced uncertainty regarding the availability of several players:
- Sellers was dealing with an undisclosed injury.
- Williams was dealing with a foot injury.
- Simpson was dealing with an illness.
Read also: Comprehensive Scholarship Information
Read also: The Legacy of Tarleton Football
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