The West Virginia Mountaineers, ranked 62 in the NET rankings, pulled off a stunning 7-point upset over the Central Florida Knights, ranked 45, with a final score of 74-67. This victory marked a significant win for West Virginia, as they were considered 17-point underdogs going into the game. The Mountaineers' Honor Huff led the charge with 21 points, while Central Florida's Themus Fulks put up 19 points and 7 assists in a losing effort. At halftime, the score was nearly even, with West Virginia trailing 29-28, but they managed to outscore Central Florida 46-38 in the second half to secure the win.
West Virginia's Honor Huff Scores 21 Points, Including 13 in the Second Half
The game was closely contested from the start, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. At the end of the first half, Central Florida held a slim 29-28 lead, with Themus Fulks scoring 10 points to pace the Knights. However, in the second half, West Virginia's offense came alive, with Honor Huff scoring 13 points and Jasper Floyd adding 12 points to help the Mountaineers take control. The Knights made a late push, but it was too little, too late, as West Virginia held on for the 74-67 victory. The Mountaineers' 46 points in the second half were the deciding factor, as they shot 51.7% from the field and made 5 of 10 three-pointers. Central Florida, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 38.5% from the field and making only 2 of 12 three-pointers in the second half.
The top performers for both teams were impressive, with Themus Fulks leading Central Florida with 19 points and 7 assists. Riley Kugel added 13 points for the Knights, while Jordan Burks chipped in with 10 points and 8 rebounds. For West Virginia, Honor Huff was the star, scoring 21 points on 8-12 shooting from the field. Jasper Floyd was also impressive, scoring 17 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, while Chance Moore added 12 points and 5 rebounds. The Mountaineers' balanced attack was too much for Central Florida to handle, as they had three players score in double figures. In contrast, the Knights relied heavily on Fulks, who played 37 minutes and took 15 shots from the field.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
A closer look at the box score reveals some key statistical takeaways from the game. West Virginia outrebounded Central Florida 35-32, with the Mountaineers grabbing 10 offensive rebounds to the Knights' 7. The Mountaineers also shot 47.1% from the field, compared to Central Florida's 41.1%, and made 7 of 19 three-pointers to the Knights' 5 of 20. Additionally, West Virginia committed just 12 turnovers, while Central Florida had 15. The Mountaineers' ability to take care of the ball and make shots from beyond the arc were crucial factors in their victory. In terms of pace, the game was played at a moderate tempo, with both teams combining for 71 possessions.
The CHD Scout prediction model was wrong here, as it predicted a 76-71 victory for Central Florida. Instead, West Virginia pulled off the 74-67 upset, defying the predicted margin of 5.5 points. The model missed the mark on West Virginia's ability to shoot from the field and make three-pointers, as well as their defensive effort in limiting Central Florida's scoring opportunities. The actual score was 7 points off from the predicted score, with West Virginia outperforming expectations. This result highlights the importance of considering multiple factors when making predictions, including team momentum and player injuries.
This win was a significant boost to West Virginia's resume, as it marked a Quad 1 victory for the Mountaineers. With a current NET ranking of 62, West Virginia needed a win like this to bolster their tournament chances. The loss, on the other hand, was a Quad 2 setback for Central Florida, which could impact their seeding in the tournament. The Knights, with a current NET ranking of 45, want to bounce back from this loss and regain their momentum. For West Virginia, this win improves their record to 16-9, while Central Florida falls to 17-7. In terms of tournament implications, this win could potentially move West Virginia up 5-7 spots in the NET rankings, while Central Florida may drop 2-3 spots.
West Virginia's next game is scheduled for February 18th against the Oklahoma Sooners, while Central Florida will face the Tulane Green Wave on February 19th. Both teams want to build on this result, with West Virginia seeking to continue their momentum and Central Florida aiming to bounce back from the upset loss. The Mountaineers must be prepared for a tough road test against Oklahoma, which has a strong home record. Meanwhile, Central Florida want to regain their confidence against Tulane, which has struggled on the road this season.