Ucf Vs Byu: Availability report, injuries and a surprising home loss
The ucf vs byu matchup arrived with No. 19 BYU coming off an upset of No. 4 Iowa State and looking to stack wins, but the sequence of availability updates and injuries factored heavily into what unfolded — BYU ultimately drops a home game to the UCF Knights. The teams met on Tuesday night in Provo with both clubs carrying identical 8-6 Big 12 records.
BYU’s records, recent win and lineup question marks
BYU entered the matchup at 20-7 overall and 8-6 in Big 12 play after the upset over No. 4 Iowa State. Reserve forward Khadim Mboup limped with 2: 23 to go in that win over Iowa State last Saturday, but he provided a spark off the bench in the outing, grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring five points. Head coach Kevin Young said Mboup was limited in practice on Monday but would be available Tuesday night against the Knights, adding, “I think he’d have to saw his leg off for him to not play in the game. ” BYU’s availability report for the UCF game was the same as it had been for the previous week’s games against Arizona and Iowa State.
UCF’s leading scorer Riley Kugel listed as questionable
On the UCF side, 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 win over TCU. Kugel, a transfer from Mississippi State, is averaging 14 points per game this season for the Knights.
Game setting in Provo and timing details
The availability report was published from Provo, Utah on Feb. 23, 2026 at 11: 01 PM, with an 11: 02 PM update. The matchup took place Tuesday night in Provo with both BYU and UCF tied for sixth place in the Big 12 Conference standings at 8-6 in league play. Radio coverage information was listed with frequencies 102. 7 FM and 1160 AM.
Coach comments and player status ahead of the game
Kevin Young’s remarks stressed Mboup’s expected availability despite a limited practice on Monday. Young’s exact line was, “I think he’d have to saw his leg off for him to not play in the game. ” That endorsement followed Mboup’s 10-rebound, five-point performance in the win over Iowa State and the limp noted with 2: 23 remaining in that contest.
Outcome and immediate takeaway from the matchup
Despite BYU’s chance to build on the upset of Iowa State, the immediate result in the ucf vs byu meeting was that BYU drops a home game to the UCF Knights. Both teams entered the night tied in conference record at 8-6, and UCF’s status with a questionable-leading scorer and BYU’s handling of Mboup’s limited practice shaped the matchup narrative.
Staff and coverage notes tied to the availability report
The availability update was filed by Mitch Harper, who is identified in the report as a BYU insider and the host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast on the outlet’s platforms; he also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday from 12–3 p. m. The report included a reporter’s note that a tweet flagged Riley Kugel as questionable and noted his absence from the Utah game after the injury sustained late against TCU.
