UCF Looks to Bounce Back at Home Against West Virginia in Crucial Big 12 Clash
February might be the shortest month, but for Johnny Dawkins and his UCF Knights, it's shaping up to be the most pivotal. With the Big 12 gauntlet in full swing, the Knights are staring down a critical stretch that could define their postseason fate.
After a statement win over then-No. 11 Texas Tech, UCF has hit a rough patch, dropping back-to-back games in convincing fashion-first to Houston, then to Cincinnati, by 24 and 20 points respectively.
Now, with West Virginia coming to town, the Knights are in must-respond mode. A third straight loss wouldn’t knock them out of NCAA tournament contention just yet, but in a league as deep and unforgiving as the Big 12, every game down the stretch carries weight.
Here’s what fans need to know ahead of Saturday’s showdown at Addition Financial Arena:
UCF Knights (17-6, 6-5 Big 12) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (15-9, 6-5 Big 12)
📅 Date: Saturday, February 14
🕕 Time: 6 p.m.
ET
📍 Location: Addition Financial Arena, Orlando, FL
📺 TV: FS1 (Jake Marsh on play-by-play, Jess Settles as analyst)
Home Cooking Could Be the Cure
If there's a silver lining for UCF, it's that they’re back in the friendly confines of Addition Financial Arena-where they’ve been a different team. The Knights are 12-2 at home this season, a stark contrast to their 3-4 mark on the road. A win over the Mountaineers would mark their third straight home victory, and more importantly, keep them above water in the jumbled middle tier of the Big 12 standings.
Head coach Johnny Dawkins acknowledged the toll of the recent road trip but remained focused on growth.
“It’s all about getting better for us,” Dawkins said this week. “We had a tough road trip and that’s what this league is.
It’s very difficult-home, away. We need to make sure we learn the lessons from the games we just played and apply them in the games coming forward.”
That forward focus starts with a West Virginia team that’s found its own rhythm lately and enters with an identical 6-5 conference record. The Mountaineers are battle-tested and well-coached under Ross Hodge, and they bring a balanced attack that UCF will need to match, especially early.
Honor Huff: A Defensive Priority
One name that’s sure to be circled on UCF’s scouting report: Honor Huff. The senior guard out of Brooklyn has been a steady force for West Virginia, averaging 15.4 points per game while shooting 36.2% from deep. He’s not just a volume scorer-he’s efficient, poised, and capable of swinging momentum with a single hot stretch.
Dawkins didn’t mince words when praising Huff.
“You have one of the premier players in our league and one of the best shooters in the league-and the country,” Dawkins said. “They’re a team that plays well together on both sides of the basketball.
They know who they are. They play to their roles very well.”
Containing Huff will be a team effort for UCF, but it starts with perimeter discipline and closing out hard on shooters. The Knights have shown flashes of elite defense this season, but they’ll need a full 40-minute effort to keep Huff from finding his rhythm.
Fast Starts Still Fuel UCF
If there’s one trend that’s held true all season, it’s this: when UCF jumps out early, they’re tough to beat. The Knights are 12-0 when leading at halftime, a stat that underscores just how important early momentum is for this group.
That means energy from the opening tip, pressure defense, and getting into their offensive sets quickly-all things that have fueled their best performances this season. Against a disciplined team like West Virginia, falling behind early could spell trouble.
What’s Next
Saturday’s matchup kicks off a crucial two-game homestand for UCF, with TCU coming to town next on Tuesday, February 17. That game will be streamed on ESPN+ with tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET.
But first, it’s all about Saturday. In a conference where every win feels like gold, the Knights need to protect home court and remind the rest of the Big 12-and the tournament committee-that they belong in the March conversation.