The Central Florida Knights and the Miami Hurricanes meet Friday in college basketball action from BankUnited Center. UCF is currently 1-0 after a blowout opener win versus FIU. As for Miami, they made short work of NJIT in their first game of the season to start off with a win as well. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

UCF Knights 

Central Florida made some strides last year, ultimately finishing 19-15 overall with an 8-10 result in the American Athletic Conference. The Knights ended up down in seventh place, ultimately losing to Memphis in the conference tourney. After an NIT berth and an opener win over Florida, UCF fell to Oregon in the second round. 

The Knights got off to a good start this year in their opener versus Florida International. UCF drilled the Panthers 43-21 in the first half and cruised from there toward an 85-62 win. Jaylin Sellers led the team on his 23 points and six rebounds. Darius Johnson hit double-digits as well with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists. 

Miami Hurricanes 

Over on the Miami side, they’re coming off a nice run last year as ACC regular-season co-champions. The Hurricanes went 29-8 overall with a 15-5 result in the conference to put them in a tie with Virginia. Miami lost to Duke in the ACC tourney but made a nice run in the national bracket, ending with a Final Four loss to UConn 72-59. 

In their first game of the season on Monday versus NJIT, Miami scored 52 points in the first half and 49 more from there in a 101-60 blowout win. Wooga Poplar managed 21 points with three rebounds to lead the way. Doubling up were both Norchad Omier (20 points; 10 rebounds) and Matthew Cleveland (16 points; 10 rebounds). 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I might take a stab on UCF in this one. The Knights posted a pretty solid all-around win over FIU on Monday, shooting 50 percent from the field with a 37-30 rebounding advantage and 16 assists along the way. Central Florida bagged 16 steals as well, but also coughed up 18 turnovers. The free throw shooting (69.6 percent) needs some work as well. That said, if the Knights get off to a good start here I think they can stay in range. 

As for Miami, there’s not much to complain about when it comes to their opener win. The Hurricanes shot 54.2 percent from the floor while collecting 48 rebounds, 23 assists and just nine turnovers. Miami should stay in control here but I think UCF can follow along closely enough to cover.