UCF males’s basketball is off to its finest begin in years with a formidable 8-1 file, one thing the Knights haven’t achieved since they went 14-0 through the 2010-11 season. Whereas coach Johnny Dawkins is happy with the workforce’s early success, he nonetheless believes there’s room for progress.
“I’m by no means glad,” Dawkins stated on Thursday. “For me, the most effective begin could be to go undefeated.
“I’m pleased with our guys for the trouble that they’ve put out and our employees for the preparation that we’ve had, however I would like my guys all the time to grasp that you simply’re all the time striving to be higher.”
UCF’s solely loss this season got here towards Vanderbilt on Nov. 8, with the Commodores ranked sixteenth on this week’s Related Press prime 25 ballot.
The Knights’ sturdy begin has propelled them up the NCAA’s NET rankings, reaching No. 40 within the newest standings. This rating system is the important thing metric the choice committee makes use of to evaluate groups for the NCAA Event.
“I don’t have a look at the general file that we now have proper now,” Dawkins defined. “I speak to them on a regular basis about, let’s not grade ourselves versus our opponents. Let’s grade ourselves versus what our expectations are internally.”
Nonetheless, UCF’s sturdy begin has caught the eye of these exterior this system, together with ESPN basketball skilled Joe Lunardi, who has the Knights within the 68-team NCAA Event subject in his newest Bracketology predictions.
An NCAA look could be this system’s first for the reason that 2018-19 season, when the Knights made it to the second spherical, solely to lose to then-No. 1 Duke on a last-second shot, 77-76. Since then, this system has made simply three postseason appearances: the NIT (2022, 2023) and the Crown Basketball Championship (2024).
UCF didn’t return any return anybody who scored a degree for UCF final season, opening up the season with a roster that includes 13 newcomers. It’s been a course of creating chemistry and constructing a tradition with so many new faces.
UCF’s focus is the longer term with an emphasis on recruiting, participant retention
“We’re getting higher,” Dawkins stated. “We’re enjoying off one another higher and caring for the basketball. Our guys are sharing the basketball and enjoying for one another. Is there room to develop? Completely. I see the potential of this group.”
UCF is averaging 88 factors per recreation, which is tied for thirty third within the nation in scoring.
The Knights have 4 gamers averaging double figures, led by Riley Kugel with 14.4, adopted by Jordan Burks (12.3), Jamichael Stillwell (12.2) and Themus Fulks (11.2).
Fulks is averaging 7.4 assists per recreation to date this season, placing him forward of Sinua Phillips (6.5), A.J. Rompza (5.2) and Cory Perry (5.1) among the many program’s all-time single-season leaders in keeping with Sports activities Reference.
UCF’s depth has stood out early this season, with eight Knights averaging double-digits in minutes performed, together with heart John Bol and guard Chris Johnson.
For Bol, who went from averaging simply 4 minutes final season at Ole Miss to now enjoying practically quarter-hour at UCF, it’s helped construct confidence.
“I convey numerous vitality in apply and video games,” stated the 7-foot-2 Bol. “I influence the sport in so many various methods. Defensively, with my size and simply being there within the paint as a presence in itself.”
UCF’s remaining non-conference schedule options dwelling video games towards Mercer (Dec. 17) and Florida Gulf Coast (Dec. 20), adopted by a showdown with FAU (Dec. 23) at Disney as a part of a Vacation FestiBall Event.
A clear sweep by the Knights could be helpful, particularly heading into the Large 12 schedule, which begins with a house contest towards Kansas on Jan. 3.
UCF is projected to win between 7.5 and 10.5 convention video games, in keeping with ESPN’s Energy Index, and that’s with a remaining schedule that ranks seventh among the many Large 12 in power of schedule.
Please discover me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. E mail: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Join the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly publication for a roundup of all our UCF protection.
