NCAAB · Final

UCF Knights Edge Past Utah Utes in Close Contest

Saturday, February 21, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · Jon M. Huntsman Center

UCF Knights 73, Utah Utes 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won UCF Knights vs Utah Utes?

UCF Knights beat Utah Utes 73-71 at Jon M. Huntsman Center on February 21, 2026.

Who was favored in UCF Knights vs Utah Utes?

UCF Knights were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -118 (about 54% implied). The favorite won.

The UCF Knights narrowly defeated the Utah Utes with a final score of 73-71 in a closely contested game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it showcased two teams with contrasting records and recent performances. UCF entered the game with a solid away record of 19-7, while Utah struggled with a home record of 10-17.

In the lead-up to the game, both teams displayed varying forms. Utah's recent performance over their last ten games resulted in a 2-8 record, with their last five games yielding a record of 1-4. They averaged 68.1 points scored per game but allowed a concerning 75.3 points. In contrast, UCF's last ten games resulted in a 5-5 record, with an average of 75.4 points scored and 80.2 points allowed. Their recent form was slightly better, with a 2-3 record in their last five games and an average of 72.8 points scored.

The game began with both teams trading baskets, but UCF managed to maintain a slight edge throughout. Utah's struggles at home were evident, as they had only won 1 of their last 5 home games, while UCF had a more balanced away record of 2-3. Previous meetings between the two teams also favored UCF, who had won both encounters in the 2025 season, including a close 76-72 victory earlier that year.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability, but such factors often play a crucial role in the outcome of games at this level. The betting market reflected UCF as slight favorites, with DraftKings setting the odds at UCF -1.5, indicating a competitive matchup. The total was set at 154.5, suggesting expectations for a relatively high-scoring affair.

The game conditions were typical for a late February matchup, with both teams likely facing the usual pressures of conference play. As the game progressed, key moments defined the outcome. In the second half, Jamichael Stillwell's 11-foot floating jump shot put UCF up by three points at 68-65. However, Utah responded quickly, with Don McHenry hitting a three-pointer to tie the game at 68. The back-and-forth continued, with Jordan Burks hitting another three-pointer to give UCF a 71-68 lead.

In the closing moments, McHenry made three free throws to tie the game at 71, but UCF's Themus Fulks responded with two free throws of his own, sealing the victory at 73-71. This game not only highlighted UCF's resilience but also underscored Utah's ongoing challenges this season. The final score reflects a hard-fought battle, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UCF -1.5	154.5 o -105 / u -115	UCF Knights -118 · Utah Utes -102

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsTerrence Brown21Utah Utes
AssistsTerrence Brown4Utah Utes
ReboundsKeanu Dawes12Utah Utes
PointsThemus Fulks24UCF Knights
AssistsChris Johnson5UCF Knights
ReboundsJohn Bol6UCF Knights

Recent form

Utah Utes

Last 10: 2-8Streak W168.1 scored · 75.3 allowed per game1-3 at home

W61-56at West Virginia MountaineersFeb 19
L65-69at Cincinnati BearcatsFeb 15
L52-66vs Houston CougarsFeb 11
L59-71at Kansas JayhawksFeb 7
L63-71vs Arizona State Sun DevilsFeb 5
L69-81vs Oklahoma State CowboysJan 31
L78-91at BYU CougarsJan 24
L78-81at Kansas State WildcatsJan 21
W82-79vs TCU Horned FrogsJan 17
L74-88at Texas Tech Red RaidersJan 15

UCF Knights

Last 10: 5-5Streak W175.4 scored · 80.2 allowed per game2-3 away

W82-71vs TCU Horned FrogsFeb 18
L67-74vs West Virginia MountaineersFeb 14
L72-92at Cincinnati BearcatsFeb 8
L55-79at Houston CougarsFeb 5
W88-80vs Texas Tech Red RaidersJan 31
W79-76vs Arizona State Sun DevilsJan 28
W95-86at Colorado BuffaloesJan 24
L57-87at Iowa State CyclonesJan 21
L77-84vs Arizona WildcatsJan 17
W82-73at Kansas State WildcatsJan 15

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Arizona	36-3	-	16-2
Houston	30-7	2	14-4
Iowa State	29-8	4	12-6
Kansas	24-11	4	12-6
Texas Tech	23-11	4	12-6
TCU	23-12	5	11-7
BYU	23-12	7	9-9
UCF	21-12	7	9-9
West Virginia	21-14	7	9-9
Cincinnati	18-15	7	9-9
Colorado	17-16	9	7-11
Arizona State	17-16	9	7-11
Oklahoma State	20-15	10	6-12
Baylor	17-17	10	6-12
Kansas State	12-20	13	3-15
Utah	10-22	14	2-16

Box score

Stat	UCF Knights	Utah Utes
Field goals	30-57	28-57
Field goal %	53	49
Three-pointers	7-16	8-23
Three-point %	44	35
Free throws	6-9	7-7
Free throw %	67	100
Rebounds	28	29
Offensive rebounds	8	9
Defensive rebounds	20	20
Assists	15	18
Steals	8	2
Blocks	4	4
Turnovers	9	11
Team turnovers	0	2
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	18	7
Fast-break points	4	6
Points in the paint	44	36
Fouls	11	10
Largest lead	9	3
Lead changes	16	16
Time in front	72	25

How the scoring went

1st Half37-30Themus Fulks makes driving layup
1st Half39-30Devan Cambridge makes 2-foot dunk (Chris Johnson assists)
1st Half39-32James Okonkwo makes layup (Keanu Dawes assists)
1st Half39-34Don McHenry makes driving layup
1st Half39-36Seydou Traore makes driving layup (Obomate Abbey assists)
1st Half41-36Themus Fulks makes 9-foot jumper
2nd Half43-36John Bol makes layup (Jamichael Stillwell assists)
2nd Half44-36Jordan Burks makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-39Don McHenry makes 23-foot three point jumper (Seydou Traore assists)
2nd Half44-42Terrence Brown makes 24-foot three point jumper (Seydou Traore assists)
2nd Half47-42Chris Johnson makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half49-42Jordan Burks makes 4-foot dunk (Themus Fulks assists)
2nd Half49-44James Okonkwo makes 2-foot dunk (Keanu Dawes assists)
2nd Half51-44Themus Fulks makes driving layup (Jordan Burks assists)
2nd Half51-47Don McHenry makes 27-foot three point jumper (Terrence Brown assists)
2nd Half51-49Don McHenry makes driving layup
2nd Half53-49Jeremy Foumena makes 14-foot jumper (Themus Fulks assists)
2nd Half53-52Don McHenry makes 28-foot three point jumper (Obomate Abbey assists)
2nd Half55-52Themus Fulks makes driving layup
2nd Half57-52Themus Fulks makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half59-52Themus Fulks makes driving layup
2nd Half59-53Obomate Abbey makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-54Obomate Abbey makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-55Terrence Brown makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-56Terrence Brown makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-58Terrence Brown makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half59-60Terrence Brown makes driving layup (Keanu Dawes assists)
2nd Half59-62Keanu Dawes makes 18-foot jumper (Terrence Brown assists)
2nd Half60-62Jordan Burks makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half63-62Carmelo Pacheco makes 22-foot three point jumper (Jamichael Stillwell assists)
2nd Half63-65Keanu Dawes makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kendyl Sanders assists)
2nd Half66-65Chris Johnson makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half68-65Jamichael Stillwell makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Themus Fulks assists)
2nd Half68-68Don McHenry makes 23-foot three point jumper (Terrence Brown assists)
2nd Half71-68Jordan Burks makes 22-foot three point jumper (Chris Johnson assists)
2nd Half71-69Don McHenry makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half71-70Don McHenry makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half71-71Don McHenry makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half72-71Themus Fulks makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half73-71Themus Fulks makes free throw 2 of 2