(Photo by Victor Tan / New Day Review)

ORLANDO, Fla. – From one tough opponent to the next, the UCF Knights are in the midst of a difficult stretch of games. After losing to the UConn Huskies 62-53, falling to 1-11 in the all-time series with UConn, UCF, now, prepares to face the second-best team in the American Athletic Conference: the No. 12 Cincinnati Bearcats.

Cincinnati (15-2, 4-0 in AAC) owns the same overall record as the No. 1 team in the AAC, Wichita State University, but the Shockers have a one-win advantage in conference play to solidify their top spot.

Like in the matchup with UConn, UCF hasn’t fared well in the overall series with Cincinnati. In nine meetings, UCF has only won once. That came in a 53-49 decision in the Knights’ second-to-last game of the regular season when the Bearcats were ranked 15th last season.

Here’s what to expect in the Knights’ matchup with the Bearcats on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

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UCF Beat Cincinnati for the 1st Time Ever Last Year

When UCF beat Cincinnati for the first time ever last year, the Bearcats were having similar success. By Feb. 26, 2017, Cincinnati had amassed an overall record of 25-3; the Bearcats’ three losses came against ranked teams.

As for the the Knights, they were 18-10 but in the middle of their most successful season in the American to date. UCF also endured a four-game losing streak through the middle of conference play and lost to then-No. 11 Cincinnati 60-50 on Feb. 8, 2017.

Cincinnati, then, subsequently lost to the Knights by four points, as UCF’s leading scorer, B.J. Taylor, led the Knights with game-highs in points (27) and minutes (40). The Bearcats had a chance to tie the game with less than 15 seconds in the game, but Tre Scott missed an open alley-oop dunk. Center Tacko Fall ensured victory after he drained two free throws for the four-point cushion and win.

“They’re a program with pride,” redshirt senior A.J. Davis said before practice Monday. “You know, I think they take a lot of pride in what they do. That’s why they’re such a good program. So I think, you know, they’re trying to win every game. I think they approach every game the same. That’s what makes them such a good team. So when they come in here, I definitely think that they’re gonna remember that game from last year.”

Cincinnati Is Just as Defensive-minded as UCF… Maybe More

The Knights have boasted their defensive prowess and mindset since head coach Johnny Dawkins first took the reigns last season. UCF’s earned the right to be called one of the best teams in the American, perhaps the nation, as the Knights are the nation’s seventh-best team in opposing field-goal percentage (37.7 percent) and third in opposing points per game (59.1).

Cincinnati carries the same mindset, as the numbers show. The Bearcats have held their opponents to 36.9 percent from the field, which is good enough for third in the nation; Cincinnati also holds teams to 58.4 points per game, second-best of 351 teams.

“Like, Cincinnati’s a defensive program, too,” Davis said. “So, it’s kinda a battle of both defenses. They’re a good defensive team; we’re a good defensive team. You know, so, we come out and do that every night, and I think if we stick to our game plan, we do what we’re supposed to do, we’ll be successful.”

The Bearcats have held three teams to under 50 points, including the Memphis Tigers in an 82-48 result on Dec. 31, 2017 (UCF beat Memphis 65-56 on Jan. 3).

On the other end, the Knights have struggled on the offensive end. UCF is scoring just 64.6 points per game, good enough for 334th in the nation.

“I think we try to keep ‘em confident by not hanging our hat on the offensive end,” Dawkins said before practice Monday. “You know, we have to understand, you know, you’re gonna win by how hard you defend and put yourself in position to be successful. We might have nights where we don’t shoot the ball very well…

“But the one constant, the thing you can be consistent with is your defensive effort and your energy. And our guys have done that. They’ve provided that, and that’s given us an opportunity to be competitive in every game.”

Bearcats Have Only Lost Twice

Cincinnati is having a great season, so far, having lost only twice in 17 games and remaining undefeated through four games in conference play. Through 17 games last year, the Bearcats also only had two losses. Their season ultimately ended when they lost to the UCLA Bruins in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

Part of their success is due to a balanced starting lineup. No player on Cincinnati’s team scores more than 14 points per game, as Jacob Evans leads the team with 13.9 points per game. Instead, Cincinnati has four regular starters—Evans, Gary Clark, Jarron Cumberland and Kyle Washington—that average double figures and shoot a combined 48.3 percent from the field, including 38.4 percent from 3. They account for 48.2 of the Bearcats’ overall 78.9 points per game.

Guard Justin Jenifer, who is also a regular starter for the Bearcats, averages 6.3 points per game in 21.8 minutes per game.

Now, Cincinnati is in the middle of an eight-game winning streak after suffering a midseason two-game losing streak to then-No. 21 Xavier University and the then-No. 5 Florida Gators. Before that, the Bearcats won seven straight.

“You know, some of the biggest challenges—one is just they’re such a physical team. They’re relentless on the offensive boards,” Dawkins said. “Defensively, they’re one of the best teams in the nation…

“Offensively, they have some terrific talent. They have some guys that can really score the basketball: Evans, Cumberland, Washington, you know, Clark. You know, all their guys. I think they have five guys that, essentially, are averaging double figures. So, they’re a well-balanced team and a very good offensive team as well.”

For more on the Knights, as they prepare for their highest-ranked opponent this season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.