Big 12 rivals UCF, Cincinnati clash in Crown quarterfinals

Field Level Media|published: Wed 2nd April, 17:53 2025

NCAA Basketball: Oklahoma State at Central Florida

Mar 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights guard Tyler Hendricks (15) shoots the ball against Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jamyron Keller (14) during the first half at Addition Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas -- even if you have a previous and future history in Cincinnati and Orlando.

That's the reality for Cincinnati and Central Florida as the Big 12 rivals prepare to meet Thursday in a College Basketball Crown quarterfinals in Las Vegas.

"We're not coaching based on messaging for the future," Bearcats coach Wes Miller said. "We're trying to win the tournament. We all agreed we're going to come out here and try to win. When you make decisions as a coach, they may not be the right decisions, but we're trying to make the right decision to win."

Miller's strategic statement might suggest revisiting the Bearcats' 93-83 conference road victory against the Knights on Feb. 5.

Considering the transfer portal's impact on UCF (18-16) and Cincinnati (19-15) since the end of the regular season, however, many elements of that equation have fallen out.

Knights guard Keyshawn Hall, the Big 12's leading scorer at 18.8 points per game, has entered the portal, for one. UCF coach Johnny Dawkins used just eight players in Tuesday's 76-75 tournament-opening victory against Oregon State.

Moustapha Thiam's late free throw and block sealed the game for UCF. Tyler Hendricks posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds and was among four UCF players in double figures. Thiam added 10 points and fell one rebound shy of a double-double.

That set up a rematch with Cincinnati, which routed DePaul 83-61 in Tuesday's Crown opener behind 15 points and seven rebounds from Dillon Mitchell. Jizzle James and Day Day Thomas added 13 points each.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the game," UCF senior guard Darius Johnson said. "We only played once this season and they got us at home. ... It's going to be a competitive, physical game, a hard-nosed fight to the end."

The Bearcats hope their balance and strong shooting translate from the DePaul game. Six Cincinnati players scored in double figures as the team shot 49.3 percent (33 of 67) from the floor, including 42.9 percent (9 of 21) from deep.

Thursday's winner will meet the Villanova-Southern California winner in the semifinals on Saturday.

--Field Level Media