The numbers point to this being a good matchup for USF. The only advantage UCF has is that they are playing at home
UCF does not have the inside scoring punch to hurt USF like UAB, Charlotte, or FAU could. UCF is also not a great 3pt shooting team. They have 1 guy who shoots it well in G Darius Johnson at 39%.
UCF relies heavily on their two guards Johnson(6-1, 200lbs) as mentioned and Jaylin Sellers(6-4, 200lbs). USF will be able to counter with Youngblood and Miguel. I do believe that Pacer will need help guarding Johnson who can get hot and is too strong for Jose. USF's Kasean Pryor is poised to have a huge game, because he does not have to worry about guarding a guy that is bigger and stronger than him with any skills. Pryor will also be able to play more in the post instead of just staying on the outside. UCF will have to send a double team at Pryor who is very good at passing out of.
UCF plays primary tight man defense and is subject to backdoor cuts off the high post. Again that is a strength of Youngblood and Pryor.
Prediction: If USF is on their game, not just settling for 3s, and adjusts to UCF tight man defense, I see a 78 -60 USF win. The closest thing that UCF has seem to USF is BYU and they loss both games.
UCF does not have the inside scoring punch to hurt USF like UAB, Charlotte, or FAU could. UCF is also not a great 3pt shooting team. They have 1 guy who shoots it well in G Darius Johnson at 39%.
UCF relies heavily on their two guards Johnson(6-1, 200lbs) as mentioned and Jaylin Sellers(6-4, 200lbs). USF will be able to counter with Youngblood and Miguel. I do believe that Pacer will need help guarding Johnson who can get hot and is too strong for Jose. USF's Kasean Pryor is poised to have a huge game, because he does not have to worry about guarding a guy that is bigger and stronger than him with any skills. Pryor will also be able to play more in the post instead of just staying on the outside. UCF will have to send a double team at Pryor who is very good at passing out of.
UCF plays primary tight man defense and is subject to backdoor cuts off the high post. Again that is a strength of Youngblood and Pryor.
Prediction: If USF is on their game, not just settling for 3s, and adjusts to UCF tight man defense, I see a 78 -60 USF win. The closest thing that UCF has seem to USF is BYU and they loss both games.
