UCF is a more experienced team than Texas Tech
Also giving UCF a shot to be difficult to deal with is the fact that the Knights are experienced. Among their starting lineup are 3 seniors and 2 juniors and they bring two juniors off the bench as part of their reserve crew.
Meanwhile, the Red Raiders have two sophomores (Isaacs and Darrion Williams) in their starting lineup and bring two more (Lamar Washington and Robert Jennings) off the bench. What's more, if the team is not back to full health after the flu bug has run through the program, sophomore KyeRon Lindsay and true freshman Eemile Yalaho might have to be asked to give the team some minutes off the bench.
7-foot senior Ibrahima Diallo might be a player to watch in the post for the Knights. The 7-footer checks in at 246 pounds and could be a handful for a Red Raider roster that has only one 7-footer, Warren Washington.
Playing for his third school, Diallo is averaging 6.2 points and 6.2 boards per game. But where he might be the biggest factor is when it comes to defending the rim. Averaging 2.0 blocks per game, he might be able to impact the ability of the smaller Red Raider guards to score in the lane.
In the last two games, Tech has been terrorized by opposing big men. Two games ago, Aziz Bandaogo of Cincinnati had 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks against Tech. However, his impact went beyond the numbers as he deterred a number of Red Raiders from attempting shots while his ability to deflect balls and tip rebounds to his teammates also proved to be a huge factor in the Bearcats' win.
Against Baylor, Yves Missi scored 17 points and grabbed 7 boards as Tech had little in the way of resistance without Warren Washington available. Now, Diallo comes to town giving the Red Raiders another active big man to contend with.