UCF basketball vs. Texas A&M: Live updates for season opener for Knights

Posted by author November 4, 2024 Basketball

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ORLANDO — College basketball returns Monday night, and UCF’s remade squad gets an immediate top-25 test.

The Knights welcome 15th-ranked Texas A&M to the Addition Financial Arena in the season openers for both teams. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Leading scorer Jaylin Sellers missed UCF’s second exhibition against Georgia with an undisclosed injury, leaving his availability in doubt for the short, and potentially longer, term. All-Big 12 honorable mention Darius Johnson is joined by, among others, nine transfers and true freshman Moustapha Thiam — the highest-ranked recruit in program history.

Head coach Johnny Dawkins signed a contract extension in the summer that takes him through 2026-27. He has a 148-103 record across eight seasons in charge of the Knights.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M returns 80% of its scoring production from last year’s team, which advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year. Preseason All-SEC first-team guard Wade Taylor IV averaged 19.1 points, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

Be sure to check back here for live updates.

Watch UCF vs Texas A&M live on ESPN+

UCF vs Texas A&M score updates

Jaylin Sellers, UCF’s leading returning scorer will not participate in Monday’s season opener against Texas A&M. Sellers, who suffered an undisclosed injury in an exhibition game against Florida Gulf Coast, did not participate in pre-game warmups.

He is among four expected inactive Knights, including redshirt freshman guard Mikey Williams, who is wearing a walking boot on his left foot. Taylor Hendricks and Cameron Simpson will also not suit up against No. 15 Texas A&M.

What channel is UCF men’s basketball vs Texas A&M on today?

Livestream: ESPN+

UCF vs. Texas A&M will broadcast on ESPN+, a subscription service.

UCF vs Texas A&M time today

Date: Monday, Nov. 4
Start time: 7 p.m. ET

The UCF vs. Texas A&M game starts at 7 p.m. inside Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida.

UCF vs Texas A&M predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Nov. 4.

Texas A&M 71, UCF 58: Continuity should play a vital role in the opening weeks of the season, and Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams stockpiled three key additions of his own in two-way guard Zhuric Phelps (SMU), sixth man-specialist CJ Wilcher (Nebraska) and efficient big man Pharrel Payne (Minnesota). UCF fans will be juiced and swaying their palm fronds behind the basket, but A&M has too much for the Knights in the opener. — Chris Boyle

Odds: Texas A&M by 4½

O/U: 143½

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