UCF Prepares for a Heavyweight Challenge Against No. 1 Arizona
The UCF Knights are stepping into rare air this weekend. Saturday marks just the fifth time in program history they’ll face the No. 1 team in the country, and this time it’s the undefeated Arizona Wildcats rolling into Orlando.
But don’t expect head coach Johnny Dawkins to let the moment get too big for his squad.
“They have all the things that a terrific team has,” Dawkins said about Arizona. “So, we have to concentrate on us.”
That’s been the message all week - focus inward. Dawkins knows that staring too long at Arizona’s gaudy rankings, elite talent, and spotless record can be a distraction. Instead, his Knights are keeping their eyes on what’s gotten them to this point: gritty defense, balanced scoring, and a roster that’s deeper than it’s been in years.
And make no mistake, this UCF team isn’t just happy to be here. At 14-2 overall and 3-1 in their first year in the Big 12, the Knights have already proven they belong.
They’re fresh off an 82-73 road win over Kansas State - a statement victory that showed they can handle the pressure of a hostile environment. Now, they’ll try to do the unthinkable: take down the nation’s top team in front of a home crowd at Addition Financial Arena.
Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Matchup: UCF vs. #1 Arizona
Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 4 p.m.
ET
Location: Addition Financial Arena, Orlando, FL
TV: ESPN (Rich Hollenberg, King McClure)
Radio: FM 96.9 / AM 740 The Game (Marc Daniels)
This game isn’t just a marquee matchup - it’s a clash of styles. Arizona comes in as the most explosive offensive team in the Big 12, and one of the most efficient in the nation.
The Wildcats are averaging 91 points per game, leading the conference in assists (19 per game), field goal percentage (52.0%), and free throws made (19.5). They dominate the glass too, with a +14.3 rebound margin and nearly 44 boards per night.
“They do a really good job. They're very aggressive,” Dawkins said of Arizona’s rebounding prowess. “They have good size and length, and you can tell that’s something they really work on.”
UCF, for their part, isn’t backing down from the physical challenge. The Knights are one of the few teams in the Big 12 that can match Arizona on the boards. Saturday’s game will feature the top two rebounding teams in the conference - a battle that could decide the outcome.
Three Keys for a UCF Upset
1. Control the Glass
Arizona lives off second-chance points and transition buckets that start with dominant rebounding. If UCF wants to hang around, they’ll need to match that intensity on the boards.
Jamichael Stillwell, the Knights’ rebounding machine, will be critical here. His ability to box out and limit Arizona’s extra possessions could swing momentum.
2. Steady Point Guard Play
Themus Fulks has been the engine of UCF’s offense, and he’ll need to be sharp against Arizona’s aggressive defense. Limiting turnovers and controlling the tempo will be key.
If Fulks can get into the paint and create for Riley Kugel and the rest of the Knights’ scorers, UCF has a chance to keep pace.
3. Get Hot from Deep
Arizona’s size makes life tough in the paint, so UCF may need to stretch the floor. Kugel, the team’s leading scorer, will be leaned on heavily to hit timely shots.
If the Knights can knock down threes and open up the floor, they’ll force Arizona to defend in space - something even the best teams struggle with.
What’s Next?
No matter how Saturday shakes out, the road doesn’t get any easier for UCF. After facing No.
1 Arizona, they’ll travel to Ames to take on No. 2 Iowa State on Tuesday, January 20.
That’s right - back-to-back games against the top two teams in the country.
But first, all eyes are on Saturday. The Knights have a shot to make history. And if they stick to what’s gotten them here - toughness, teamwork, and belief - they just might pull off something special.