Fueled by Johnny Dawkins’ leadership and elite KenPom analytics, the Knights leverage NCAA Tournament runs and first-round NBA talent to cement their status among college basketball’s elite.
The UCF Knights men's basketball program has not become one of the best teams in the past 10 seasons, but their achievements have cemented them as a top-100 program.
College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) posted a graphic on X ranking the top 100 teams based on their average KenPom finish. UCF appeared as the 67th-ranked program with a 77.6 average KenPom.
KenPom is an analytics system created by statistician Ken Pomeroy to grade teams on their efficiency, tempo and strength of schedule. The Knights finished 53rd in this year's KenPom rankings.
They had a +14.97 net rating, a 120 offensive rating and a 105 defensive rating. The strength of schedule had a similar rating (115.2 ORtg and 103.3 DRtg).
UCF may not be the best program in the country, but the team has recorded impressive accomplishments under coach Johnny Dawkins. Dawkins led his squad to two NCAA Tournaments (2018-19 and 2025-26) and developed a first-round talent in Taylor Hendricks.
The Knights posted a 23-8 record during their first NCAA Tournament appearance. They recorded back-to-back upset victories over then-No. 8 Houston and then-No. 20 Cincinnati.
Both ranked teams were conference rivals and became a part of UCF's four-game winning streak. However, UCF fell to Memphis in the AAC Tournament Quarterfinals, failing to hoist a conference championship.
They beat VCU in the first round, backed by B.J. Taylor scoring 15 points and Tacko Fall grabbing 18 rebounds. The Knights faced Dawkins' alma mater, Duke, in the second round and lost heartbreakingly, 77-76.
Four seasons later, Dawkins had a talented freshman forward in Hendricks. He was a premier 3-and-D wing, shooting 39.4% from three and 2.6 stocks (1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals).
The Utah Jazz drafted him as the 9th pick in the 2023 NBA draft. He became the highest-drafted player in Knights history.
Fast forward three more seasons, and Dawkins received a three-year contract extension fresh off his second NCAA Tournament appearance. UCF accomplished back-to-back 20-win campaigns despite the revolving door that is the transfer portal.
The Knights lost 100% of their scoring from the 2024-25 season and replaced it with last season. Guards Riley Kugel and Themus Fulks, and forwards Jamichael Stillwell and Jordan Burks, became the new leading scorers.
These four players helped record an 11-1 start, a record in the Dawkins era, and upset three ranked teams. Their performances punched a ticket to the tournament as the No. 10 seed, breaking a six-year drought.
UCF lost to the No. 7-seeded UCLA Bruins, as coach Mick Cronin defeated his longtime rival from their days in the AAC. It was a heartbreaking loss, but the Knights have rebounded through the transfer portal.
Dawkins has put together a nice squad featuring youth and experience. UCF could record a third straight 20-win season under Dawkins and fight for a second-straight tournament appearance.
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