Big Wins
UCF’s men’s basketball delivered some big moments in their first season in the Big 12.
When it comes to men’s college basketball, there’s nothing quite like Big 12 competition. And the Knights delivered some big moments in their first season in their new conference.
UCF’s home opener against No. 3 University of Kansas was announced as the second sellout in school history more than a month before the ball tipped. UCF rallied from a 16-point deficit against the defending Big 12 champion to topple the Jayhawks 65-60.
A week later, the Knights took down the University of Texas, which advanced to the Elite 8 in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, on its home court. And in February, UCF toppled two more nationally ranked opponents (74-63 over the University of Oklahoma; 75-61 over Texas Tech University), marking three wins over top 25 teams in a single season for the first time in school history.
“I’ve been part of basketball for all my life and you want to be in moments like this and you want our students to be in moments like this.”
- 300th
- Career victory for head coach Johnny Dawkins, which he tallied when UCF bested Oklahoma
- 11
- Top 25 opponents faced by the Knights during the regular season, the most in a single season in school history
- 4th
- National Invitation Tournament postseason appearance in school history
UCF men’s basketball guard Darius Johnson holds the basketball away from a BYU defender.
Fans packed Addition Financial Arena for the first men’s basketball Big 12 home game.
UCF men’s basketball players Darius Johnson, Jaylin Sellers, C.J. Walker and Shemarri Allen share a group hug on the basketball court.
A cheerleader helps hype up the crowd.
UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins claps his hands cheering on the Knights.