As UCF basketball eyes the NCAA Tournament, Coach Johnny Dawkins is keeping the Knights focused on what they can control: the game in front of them. With all the buzz around March Madness and potential seedings, Dawkins is steering his team to take it one step at a time.
“We’re concentrating on our next opponent,” Dawkins emphasized. “I don’t want anyone looking too far ahead. That’s the only thing within our control.”
The Knights, sitting at 18-7 overall and 7-6 in the Big 12, are gearing up for a crucial two-game stretch in Utah. They’ll face the Utes this Saturday night on ESPN+ and then clash with No. 22 BYU on Tuesday, broadcast on ESPN/ESPN2.
Dawkins sees this road trip as a prime chance for team bonding. “Being on the road minimizes distractions and gives us quality time together,” he said. “Whether it’s sharing stories, laughing, or prepping for games, these moments are invaluable.”
Utah, currently struggling at the bottom of the Big 12 with a 10-16 record, broke a seven-game losing streak with a recent win over West Virginia. Meanwhile, UCF bounced back from a three-game skid with a strong 82-71 victory against TCU.
This win was crucial for the Knights, who had previously let a 14-point lead slip in a loss to West Virginia. Against TCU, they led comfortably until a 9-0 run by the Horned Frogs cut their advantage. But instead of faltering, UCF responded by pushing the lead back to 18, securing the win.
Forward Jamichael Stillwell, back in action after missing the WVU game, contributed 9 points and 6 rebounds. “Coach reminded us that we had a chance to redo things,” Stillwell shared, highlighting the team’s resilience.
This victory not only provided a morale boost but also strengthened UCF’s case for an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. Ranked No. 46 in the NCAA NET rankings, the Knights have secured four Quad 1 wins against top-30 teams, including Texas A&M and Kansas.
Projections from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and Fox Sports have UCF seeded between No. 7 and No. 10. To solidify their spot, the Knights aim to finish .500 or better in conference play-a benchmark no Big 12 team has missed since 2004.
While Dawkins emphasizes a game-by-game focus, the players are aware of the bigger picture. “We see the projections, but they don’t mean much until the season’s end,” Stillwell noted. “We need to finish strong and end on a high note.”