In a thrilling start to the 2026 Big Tournament in Kansas City, UCF edged past the Cincinnati Bearcats 66-65 in an overtime nail-biter. This victory couldn't have come at a better time for Johnny Dawkins' squad, as it significantly boosts their chances of making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019-a goal that's been on the minds of Knights fans and college basketball pundits alike.
Jamichael Stillwell was the standout performer, notching his eighth double-double of the season with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Despite struggling from beyond the arc, hitting just three of 24 attempts, UCF dominated the paint, outscoring Cincinnati 38-10 down low. The Knights also won the rebounding war 49-46 and managed to neutralize Cincinnati's star forward, Baba Miller, holding him to a mere four points and no field goals before he fouled out.
The game started with UCF in a shooting slump, quickly falling behind 11-2 after their initial basket. It took some time, but the Knights clawed back, reclaiming the lead at 22-21 with just four minutes left in the first half.
John Bol and Stillwell were key in the post, with Bol contributing seven points and Stillwell pulling down eight boards. Thiam also chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds, but despite their efforts, UCF trailed 27-26 at halftime.
The second half was equally tight, with Miller picking up his third foul early on. Thiam continued to shine, finishing with an impressive double-double of 18 points, including three three-pointers, and 16 rebounds.
The Knights couldn't find their shooting touch but stayed competitive with tenacious defense and rebounding, forcing ten Cincinnati turnovers that led to 12 points. An 8-0 run in the final minute tied the game, and Cincinnati's last-second heave fell short, sending the game into overtime at 58-58.
In overtime, UCF's disciplined defense-something Dawkins has emphasized all season-was crucial. The Knights didn’t commit a single foul in the extra period, and four late free-throws sealed the win. Stillwell's clutch rebound with three seconds left, after a missed three-pointer by Jalen Celestine, ensured the victory.
With an improved record of 21-10, UCF now gears up for a showdown with top-seeded Arizona on Thursday. This will be a rematch of their January clash, where the Knights fell to the Wildcats 84-77 in Orlando.
Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Fans will be eager to see if UCF can carry this momentum forward against a formidable opponent.