Over the years, UCF Basketball has been slowly but surely growing in prominence, as the University of Central Florida brand has. It’s always UCF’s football team that seems to get most of the publicity but the basketball program has created a niche of its own – you’ve got a very dedicated fan base and you’ve done some amazing things.
In this, we will look over the history of UCF Basketball, how it is today, who the better players are and how Miami will be in the future. This will be a very detailed guide for anyone looking for information about UCF Basketball as one of Florida’s most exciting collegiate programs.
UCF Basketball: A Brief History
The UCF Knights basketball program was launched in 1969 and the Knights have since become processional in both league play and nationally. Since then the team has managed to ride a few highs and a few lows, but recently continuous success. UCF basketball is the NCAA Division I and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) but soon will be switching to the Big 12 Conference.
In UCF basketball’s early years, the Knights rarely got noticed as the football program is beginning to find its footing both on and off the field. By the 1990s however, the basketball team began to appear in the postseason tournaments on a regular basis building a base for future success.
UCF Basketball History’s Major Milestones
- 1980s: Torchy Clark’s UCF made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1982.
- 2004 and 2005: UF’s return to the NCAA Tournament put the program on the map and, UCF, back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
- 2018-2019 Season: Even with an 11 seed and under head coach Johnny Dawkins, UCF finally punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament and nearly made history, beating VCU in the first round before coming agonizingly close to knocking off slick-shooting powerhouse Duke.
That near-upset of Duke in 2019 feels like a defining moment in UCF basketball history and it served as proof that the program could compete with anyone.
Where is UCF Basketball Now
United for the Cause is a term used for UCF Basketball’s forward momentum in each season with their continued growth building off one another. It brought increased competition with the team in the AAC and the program had to step up. One year after Johnny Dawkins took over as the head coach, UCF basketball is at new heights.
Duke coach and former standout player Dawkins has brought energy and discipline to the team. And he came from coaching at Stanford before coming to UCF. In Orlando, UCF has benefited from an exemplary culture under his leadership and his talent to attract top talent has placed the school on the path to consistent long term success.
Key Players
UCF has seen many great players over the last few years that have played a big role in its success. Some of the notable recent stars include:
- Tacko Fall: While at UCF, the 7’6″ Senegal center became a national sensation. He was a fan favorite due to his defensive presence and the ability to dominate the paint. Fall went to the NBA, adding to UCF’s standing as one of the great basketball programs in the country.
- B.J. Taylor: Taylor was one of the team’s leading scorers last season when they were successful. His clutch performances and UCF-leading leadership also helped power UCF to its win over VCU in the NCAA Tournament.
- Collin Smith: Known for his versatility, Smith was another key player in recent seasons, and a mainstays offence and defence for the Knights.
Under Dawkins’ guidance, UCF is constantly developing young talent, the AAC remains right in their sights and looks to be on the road to future success.
The Fan Experience
The passionate fan base of UCF Basketball is something that many don’t consider when listing off things the school gets right. UCF football gets the gaze but basketball at the Addition Financial Arena is a wild experience. ‘The Dungeon’ has reportedly over 10,000 seats, and games here are electric.
There is no other like it in the world… no other like UCF’s student section: “Knightmare.” From coordinated chants, fierce game day support for the Knights players or elaborate game day traditions, the Knightmare adds much to UCF’s home court advantage.
UCF basketball is gaining more and more notice as it grows in stature. The move to the Big 12 Conference is expected to further boost the fan experience: The program will play more, higher profile opponents and get higher national exposure.
The Recruiting, Future Potential.
Everywhere you turn, UCF basketball appears to be living up to its hype … and the future seems very bright.
The program is set to join the Big 12 Conference. When UCF begins competing in one of the nation’s premier basketball conferences, top-tier talent will flock in due to the chance to compete at that level.
Recruiting, however, has gone the other way at UCF; bringing in highly rated high school players and transfers in recent years. Coach Dawkins has already built a roster he can compete against some of the best teams in the nation due to his connections and experience.
Moving to the Big 12 means UCF will see tougher competition on a more regular basis, but for UCF the passage means they’ll get a platform to project their talents before a larger audience. They have a real chance to go deeper in the NCAA Tournament than they have before and the Knights soon could become a force to be reckon with in college basketball.
UCF Basketball Effect in University and Community
The wins and losses of UCF basketball are not the entire story, UCF basketball impacts the university and the surrounding community. UCF’s program continues to grow and this means UCF gets more visibility to prospective students, alumni donations and of course media gains more of that.
UCF basketball is vital to community engagement as well. Often local outreach programs such as youth basketball camps, charity events and local business partnerships, are often part of the program. By doing these things it helps to bridge the gap it adds to the team and Orlando community and the people feel ownership and pride in being there.
Conclusion: The Future of UCF Basketball
Everything about UCF Basketball has very much changed. The Knights have a lot of history, strong fan base and most importantly a head coach that is commit to winning and will be a strong brand for years to come. But the up coming move to the Big 12 Conference is a timely shift for the program, one that offers challenges as well as opportunities.
The signs are there as UCF continues to bring in the top talent and make strides on the big stage and has the potential to become a major college player. Basketball is a team to watch regardless of whether you’re a die hard fan or are just starting to follow the program. Turning out to be the Knights, their future looks brilliant and they have only just started.
FAQs on UCF Basketball
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Where does UCF basketball play?
UCF is part of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), but in the coming year, it will join the big 12.
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What was the name of UCF basketball’s head coach?
A head coach since 2016 has been Johnny Dawkins.
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Where does UCF play its basketball home games?
The Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida is home to UCF.
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Has UCF basketball made the NCAA Tournament yet?
Yes, UCF has been know to pop up before on a few occasions, ever a big, big one in 2019.
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What is a famous UCF basketball player?
His pathfinder was Tacko Fall, 7’6″ center who had national fame playing for UCF.