Knights stunned BYU with a historic road victory, earning rave reviews from top analysts for their impressive season and NCAA Tournament bound success.
The UCF Knights (20-7, 9-6 Big 12) left a crowd of over 18,000 fans at the Marriott Center speechless, as they upset the No. 19 Brigham Young Cougars (20-8, 8-7 Big 12), 97-84, on Tuesday night.
UCF's 13-point lead is its largest road victory against an AP-tanked opponent in program history. A historic milestone from the Knights drew praise from legendary college basketball analysts Dick Vitale and Jeff Goodman.
"Great reading @GoodmanHoops, who knows college hoops on the fab job @UCF_MBB and coach Johnny Dawkins did last night in the tough @Big12Conference to beat nationally-rated @BYUMBB (road) 97-84," Vitale posted on X. "Yes, UCF will head to @MarchMadnessMBB. Who said nice guys finish last? Never met Johnny!"
Vitale, in previous posts about UCF, consistently compliments Dawkins' character. When the Knights upset then-No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 31, Vitale said his fellow analyst, Jay Bilas, raved about Dawkins as a person.
While Vitale's comments focus on Dawkins' character, Goodman's praise highlights the job UCF's leader has done with limited resources compared to his competition.
"Johnny Dawkins had somewhere around $3.5 million (near the bottom of Power 5), a completely revamped roster, and nearly everyone thought he would be fired after this season," Goodman posted on X. "Now, UCF is a lock for the NCAA tourney after this mollywhopping at BYU. Incredible job by Dawkins and his staff."
Dawkins utilized the $3.5 million in NIL to recruit key players to his team's success, including guards Riley Kugel, Themus Fulks, Chris Johnson and Carmelo Pacheco; forwards Devan Cambridge, Jamichael Stillwell and Jordan Burks; and centers John Bol and Jeremy Foumena.
Each player has contributed in their roles, helping lead the Knights to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Kugel is the leading scorer, Fulks leads the team in assists and the forwards add size and toughness in the frontcourt, presenting challenges for opposing teams.
UCF has turned their month around — starting February with a three-game losing streak, they've flipped the script and are on a three-game winning streak.
The Knights are returning to the Addition Financial Arena for a two-game home stand against the Baylor Bears (14-14, 4-11 Big 12) and rematch the Oklahoma State Cowboys (17-11, 5-10 Big 12)
UCF will play Baylor on Saturday at 8 p.m. on FS1.
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