ORLANDO, Fla. – Nine regular-season games remain in the UCF Knights’ 2017-18 schedule, and, despite injury troubles all season long, Johnny Dawkins’ team finds itself in position to take third place in the American Athletic Conference.

It’ll come down to a game between UCF (14-7, 5-4 in AAC) and the current third-place team, the University of Houston (16-5, 6-3 in AAC). Both teams share a history that dates back to the mid-2000s, as Houston owns the overall record with a 12-8 advantage (two UCF wins in 2010 were forfeited because the Knights had an ineligible player on their roster).

In Dawkins’ first season last year, UCF and Houston split results: The Knights, first, won 77-70 at home on Jan. 14, 2017, before being blown out on the road 82-64 on Feb. 1, 2017.

Here’s what to look for in the battle for third place in the American between UCF and Houston on Saturday at noon. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

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Rob Gray Leads Houston’s Offense

Houston’s offense is led by redshirt senior Rob Gray While the 6-foot-1 guard isn’t scoring a career-high in his third season at Houston, he is still averaging a team-leading 18.3 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting.

Gray is an effective scorer from everywhere on the court. He makes 51.7 percent of his 2-point attempts and is shooting 34.8 percent from deep range. In each of his season-high 37- and 34-point games, he shot 5-for-8 from 3-point range.

The North Carolina native also leads his team in assists per game (4.2), steals per game (1.1) and free-throw percentage (83.7).

Last season against the Knights, Gray scored 43 points on 17-for-33 shooting in two games combined, including a 28-point outing at UCF.

“He scores in literally every way,” UCF forward A.J. Davis said before practice on Feb. 2. “He scores at the basket; he scores the mid-range; he hits 3s; he gets to the free-throw line. He’s athletic. He’s just a great scorer. You know, we have a lot of respect for him.”

Said Davis on how he and the Knights will try to limit Gray: “Just try to get him out of his rhythm… All great scorers, you just gotta kinda get them out their rhythm and stop ’em early in the game and hopefully don’t let ’em get a flow and see the ball go in early.

“And, you know, make him just take tough shots. If he’s hitting tough shots, you know, the whole night, we just gotta kinda live with that.”

Devin Davis, Corey Davis Jr. as Houston’s Offensive Support

Gray is supported by two other double-digit scorers for the Cougars. Devin Davis and Corey Davis Jr.–not related–each average 10.7 points per game and 12.8 points per game, respectively.

Though Davis is a forward, he’s listed at just 6-foot-6 and among one of the tallest active players on Houston’s team. Only two players who average double-digit minutes are taller than Davis: 6-foot-8 Breaon Brady and 6-foot-7 Fabian White Jr.

“I feel like the biggest thing about that is just to make sure that we’re defending, and that’s perimeter defense and post defense, as well, ’cause I know I’m gonna be guarding smaller guys out there,” forward Chad Brown said before practice on Feb. 2. “I’m just gonna have to be able to move my feet, which I can do, and our team–we’re just gonna have to play solid defense.”

Numbers-wise, Devin is having his best season yet. He has become a pivotal fixture in Houston’s lineup, starting all 21 games, so far, this season.

Devin is averaging a career-high in points per game (10.7), rebounds per game (6.3), assists per game (1.5), field-goal percentage (49.5) and field-goal attempts per game (9.1).

“His ability–I feel like he’s pretty versatile,” Brown said of what makes Devin dangerous. “He’s able to step out a little bit, you know, shoot the 17-footer, and he’s able to drive and attack. And he plays at a high level. He plays at a high intensity.”

Houston Hasn’t Had a Losing Streak This Season

The Cougars are well on their way to their third-straight 20-win season under fourth-year head coach Kelvin Sampson. Houston hasn’t gone on a losing streak this year but has recently lost three of its last seven games.

Most recently, Houston dropped an 80-70 decision to the No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats. Houston controlled the game but ultimately surrendered an 18-point lead in the defeat.

Houston has beaten one ranked opponent in three tries: The Cougars beat then-No. 7 Wichita State University 73-59 on Jan. 20. Just 16 days earlier, the Shockers handed Houston an 81-63 loss.

“Well I expect them to come in and play with a lot of energy. I think they’ll be very competitive. They’ve been that way all year, and they’re gonna come out with a certain focus,” Dawkins said before practice on Feb. 2. “You know, after losing sometimes, that kinda gets your attention, again.

“So I think those guys will come out with a type of focus and energy that all good teams come out with.”

For more on the Knights, as they prepare to conclude a two-game home stand with Houston, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.

To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.