The Kansas Jayhawks open Big 12 conference play with a long-awaited rematch on Jan. 3 against the UCF Golden Knights. Saturday’s matchup is expected to be one of both confidence and lingering uncertainty.
Last season featured three matchups; two during the regular season.
The last trip that Kansas took to Orlando was more than a success. The Jayhawks entered as the favorite on the road (-19.5), but ended with the largest win in program history over the Knights 99-48.
It wasn’t until later in the season that the Knights came up just five points shy of an upset victory inside Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas opens conference play shorthanded, not only with a questionable Darryn Petersen, but also doing so without Hunter Dickinson and Zeke Mayo — the duo that shared the team scoring lead in all three meetings with UCF last season.
The Knights are also without a key piece in Keyshawn Hall, who scored 34 points in last season’s game inside Allen Fieldhouse.
Uncertainty surrounding Petersen, chance for a big game from Council, Bidunga
Kansas head coach Bill Self commented on Petersen’s availability earlier this week, mentioning that the true freshman was “really, really close,” but that the final call was up to the family.
Unfortunately for Kansas, this news is nothing new. The fans have heard it all season. Should Peterson sit, the chance for Melvin Council Jr. to have another breakout game is imminent.
UCF plays a similar brand of physical, half-court basketball to NC State. Both have size and know how to run the floor, but neither have the size of Flory Bidunga or the elusiveness of Council.
Bidunga has yet to start against the Knights, but has posted 18 points in each of the last two games for Kansas. Expect a similar game to what Dickinson played on the road last season, in which the senior big man posted 27.
The Knights last win came during the 2023-24 season
UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins' last win over Kansas at home came two seasons ago. In his eighth season at the head of the program, the Knights took down KU 65-60.
Unfortunately for Knights fans, that was two seasons ago. In the current landscape of college basketball, rosters can flip in the blink of an eye.
The only player still on UCF’s roster from those matchups is Darius Johnson. Against Kansas in 2023–24, he scored 17 points, hit three 3-pointers and led the Knights with six assists. If the game stays close, much of UCF’s offense will likely run through the fourth-year veteran guard.
The Likely Outcome
ESPN analytics favor the Jayhawks 67%. The Knights are currently averaging 88.3 points per game, but lack the winning resume of the Jayhawks. Kansas are likely victors, but only by single digits.
Opening tip is set for 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on Peacock.