Ucf Vs Byu: Availability Notes, Mboup Update and a Home Loss for BYU
PROVO, Utah — Feb. 23, 2026 (Updated 11: 02 PM) — BYU entered the ucf vs byu matchup with availability questions on both sides of the court as the Cougars looked to follow up a marquee upset. The developments mattered because BYU arrived at the game coming off an upset of a top-four team and with roster notes that shaped rotation decisions for Tuesday night.
Ucf Vs Byu: Availability snapshot
BYU came into the matchup with a 20-7 overall record and an 8-6 mark in conference play. UCF also held an 8-6 league record; the two teams were tied for sixth place in the conference standings. The Knights’ leading scorer, Riley Kugel, was listed as questionable for Tuesday night. Kugel missed UCF’s win over Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday night because of an undisclosed injury he suffered late in UCF’s victory over TCU. Kugel is a transfer from Mississippi State and is averaging 14 points per game this season for the Knights.
Khadim Mboup’s status and practice report
BYU’s availability report matched the one used in the previous week’s games against Arizona and Iowa State. Reserve forward Khadim Mboup was seen limping with 2: 23 remaining in BYU’s win over Iowa State last Saturday. Head coach Kevin Young said Mboup was limited in practice on Monday but would be available Tuesday night against the Knights. Young added that Mboup would have to take extreme measures to miss the game. In BYU’s most recent outing, Mboup provided a spark off the bench, grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring five points.
Riley Kugel: questionable for the Knights
UCF faced its own uncertainty with Kugel listed as questionable. He had been absent for UCF’s road victory in Salt Lake City after sustaining an injury late in the win over TCU. The nature of the injury was undisclosed in the availability report. Kugel’s role as the Knights’ leading scorer and his 14 points-per-game average this season made his status one to watch in the matchup.
Context for BYU’s season heading into the game
No. 19 BYU arrived at the contest following an upset of a No. 4-ranked opponent, presenting the first immediate chance to build on that momentum. The matchup with UCF on Tuesday night represented BYU’s first opportunity to follow up the big win and continue stacking victories. The identical conference records and shared position in the standings underscored the game’s significance for both teams’ seeding and positioning.
Local coverage, podcast and broadcast notes
Local radio carried pregame coverage on 102. 7 FM and 1160 AM. Reporter Mitch Harper is identified as a BYU insider who hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily and co-hosts a Saturday radio show from 12–3 p. m. Fans were directed to follow Mitch’s coverage on social media at @Mitch_Harper. A team-branded sports app was promoted for streaming live radio and video related to BYU athletics.
Result: BYU drops a home game to the UCF Knights
Following the availability report and pregame notes, BYU drops a home game to the UCF Knights. Details beyond the outcome were unclear in the provided context.
Note: The timeline above references the Feb. 23, 2026 availability report and the subsequent home loss noted in the provided coverage. Details may evolve as further official updates are released.
