Riding an eight-game winning streak - their longest since the 2004-05 season - UCF is closing out its nonconference schedule with momentum and purpose. The Knights are 9-1, and after shaking off some rust in Wednesday’s 81-63 win over Mercer, they’re eyeing two final in-state matchups before Big 12 play begins. First up: Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday in Orlando.
After a nine-day break, head coach Johnny Dawkins was more concerned about rhythm than rust. But his team responded like a group that’s been here before.
“That was a long stretch without playing,” Dawkins said. “My biggest concern was keeping them in shape, trying to keep them in rhythm. I give our guys credit.”
The Knights started slow against Mercer, putting up just 35 points in the first half. But the second half told a different story - one that looked a lot more like the high-powered offense UCF has leaned on this season.
Jordan Burks led the charge with 17 points, Riley Kugel added 16, and Themus Fulks chipped in 14. Jamichael Stillwell continued his strong play inside, notching his fourth double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
UCF’s depth was on full display as well. The bench contributed 22 points, and the defense forced 17 turnovers - a number that speaks to the team’s growing identity on that end of the floor.
“I like the fact that we didn’t let missing shots early affect how we guarded,” Dawkins said. “That’s a sign of a team that’s maturing - when you understand your offense shouldn’t dictate your defense.
I think earlier in the year that would’ve rattled us. It didn’t on Wednesday.”
That kind of mental toughness is exactly what UCF will need as it transitions into Big 12 play, starting with a Jan. 3 showdown against No. 17 Kansas. While the offense has been the headline - averaging 87.3 points per game - Dawkins knows defense will be the difference-maker in conference play.
“I think we’re working in the right direction,” he said. “You look at our last three games, and you see improvement defensively. We’ve got to keep building on that before league play starts.”
Saturday’s opponent, Florida Gulf Coast, enters with a 5-6 record and on a four-game skid. The Eagles have struggled defensively during that stretch, giving up nearly 87 points per game - a troubling trend with UCF’s offense looming.
In their most recent outing, FGCU fell 75-56 at New Mexico. While they held the Lobos to just 36.7% shooting - their best defensive field-goal percentage of the season - they were outmuscled on the boards 44-29 and outscored 24-9 at the free-throw line.
No Eagle reached double figures in that game, but the team does have three players averaging double-digit scoring on the season: J.R. Konieczny (15.9), Jordan Ellerbee (14.8), and Rahmir Barno (14.2).
Konieczny also leads the team in rebounding at 7.0 per game.
For UCF, the goal is clear: finish strong, stay sharp, and keep building toward the Big 12 gauntlet. With momentum on their side and a maturing roster that’s starting to click on both ends, the Knights are positioning themselves to be more than just a feel-good story - they’re aiming to be a real problem come conference play.