Blossoming Moustapha Thiam leads UCF to TCU

Field Level Media|published: Fri 28th February, 19:22 2025

NCAA Basketball: Central Florida at Colorado

Feb 15, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; UCF Knights center Moustapha Thiam (52) blocks the shot of Colorado Buffaloes forward Trevor Baskin (6) in the first half at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

UCF brings a two-game winning streak and a surging rookie center into 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-double from Moustapha Thiam, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The 7-foot-2 Senegal native almost had a triple-double as he tied a UCF record with eight blocked shots. In the last 11 games, Thiam has averaged 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.

"You have to have someone that can protect the rim," UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said. "Especially in this league. You have so many talented players that can go off the bounce and get to the basket. You have so many post players that can score down low. You need guys that can protect the rim, rebound and block shots."

Keyshawn Hall leads the Knights with 19.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He scored 26 points and Darius Johnson had 23 points in the win over the Wildcats.

The Horned Frogs (15-13, 8-9) lost 73-55 Tuesday at West Virginia. As time runs out to pick up regular-season wins, TCU coach Jamie Dixon wants the Horned Frogs to move on.

"I told our guys we have to get ready for Central Florida," Dixon said. "It wasn't a good trip for us. We lost to two good teams on the road and didn't do the things we needed to do. We've got work to do. I know it's late in the year to be saying that, but I do believe we can find ways to get better."

Trazarien White scored 11 points and was the only Horned Frogs player to score in double digits. Leading scorer Noah Reynolds (12.3 points per game) was held to two points.

When TCU hosted the Mountaineers earlier this month, Reynolds and Vasean Allette (11.6 points) combined for 42 points in a 65-60 win. On Tuesday, they combined for 10. They'll have to provide more for TCU if it wants to make a late-season or Big 12 tournament run.

"Every guy has to be better than where we are at right now," Dixon said. "That's really the message I gave to our guys. We have to refocus."

--Field Level Media