Hodge hopeful time off proves beneficial to Mountaineers in matchup at UCF

West Virginia will try to turn a long midseason layoff into momentum when the Mountaineers visit Central Florida on Saturday at 6 p. m. ET inside Addition Financial Arena. Both teams enter the meeting coming off Sunday losses and will look to reset after a rare extended break between games.

Extended break aimed at restoring sharpness

First-year head coach Ross Hodge gave his roster Monday and Tuesday off — the most time the team has had between games since early January. With a stretch of physical conference play taking its toll, Hodge emphasized the value of not just rest but mental reset.

"It's such a physical league and you have to be so sharp mentally each night that as much as you need a physical break, you need a mental break as well, " Hodge said. He framed the pause as an opportunity to regroup after back-to-back homestand losses and to prepare for the immediate rematch series that pits the teams together twice in 21 days.

Defense still the Mountaineers' identity

West Virginia has leaned on its defense through a stretch of uneven offensive output. The Mountaineers are surrendering just 63. 6 points per game on average — second-best among conference teams overall — and 67. 7 in league play, putting them third in conference defensive rank. That steadiness on the other end has enabled WVU to split a handful of games where they trailed at halftime.

Hodge pointed to the team's disciplined approach to fouling as a key edge. "One thing this team has done particularly well that some of the previous teams I’ve coached didn’t do well is we do a good job playing without the foul, " he said. The Mountaineers have also managed to outscore opponents from the free-throw line in several contests despite streaky shooting, a trend Hodge expects to polish down the stretch.

Offensive struggles pose a clear challenge

While the defense has held up, scoring has been a persistent issue. WVU has failed to eclipse 63 points in five straight games, a mark that will likely need to change if the Mountaineers want a realistic chance in Orlando. Finding reliable shot creation and finishing in transition will be priorities against a Knights team that can score in bunches.

Hodge's group must marry defensive intensity with improved offensive efficiency — particularly from the foul line and beyond the arc — to avoid getting pulled into a high-scoring game on hostile floor.

UCF brings balanced firepower

Central Florida presents a contrasting profile: a prolific offense averaging 82. 2 points per game, though that number dips to 75. 9 in conference play. The Knights have rebuilt their roster and settled on a balanced scoring attack that spreads production among guards and forwards.

Guards Riley Kugel and Themus Fulks lead the way at roughly 14. 3 and 13. 3 points per game, while Jordan Burks and Jamichael Stillwell provide secondary scoring and interior toughness. Stillwell averages about eight rebounds per game and the backcourt connection from Kugel and Burks has been a reliable perimeter threat, evidenced by their volume from deep.

Hodge singled out Fulks for the impact he has had on his team’s fortunes. "He’s probably been as impactful as any player in the conference this year, " Hodge said. "He’s so reliable and so strong. He takes care of the ball and they put good shooting around him and good length and some interchangeable pieces. "

Key matchup and what to watch

The game may well come down to whether WVU can convert defensive stops into efficient offense. Watch for the Mountaineers’ ability to limit UCF’s three-point rhythm and for how well West Virginia’s perimeter players create separation and scoring opportunities. Rebounding and free-throw conversion will also be decisive; UCF’s inside presence and West Virginia’s late-game poise both stand to influence the outcome.

With both teams at 6-5 in conference play, this game carries implications for positioning down the stretch. The Mountaineers hope the extra time off sharpens a defense that has kept them competitive and gives their offense the boost it needs to score past a top-scoring opponent on the road.