Here’s the previous teams we ranked in this series:

50. Louisville Cardinals

51. Boise State Broncos

52. Clemson Tigers

53. New Mexico Lobos

54. Arizona State Sun Devils

55. Utah State Aggies

56. Colorado State Rams

57. Seton Hall Pirates

58. SMU Mustangs

59. South Carolina Gamecocks

60. Nevada Wolfpack

61. TCU Horned Frogs

62. Villanova Wildcats

63. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

64. Saint Louis Billikens

65. Syracuse Orange

66. Nebraska Cornhuskers

67. Pittsburgh Panthers

68. Iowa Hawkeyes

69. NC State Wolfpack

70. Butler Bulldogs

71. Princeton Tigers

72. Virginia Cavaliers

73. Saint Joseph’s Hawks

74. Oklahoma Sooners

75. West Virginia Mountaineers

76. Georgia Bulldogs

77. UAB Blazers

78: Wisconsin Badgers

79. San Diego State Aztecs

80. Missouri Tigers

81. Northwestern Wildcats

82. Loyola Chicago Ramblers

Additionally, here is where each of our analysts had the Knights ranked:

Steven	Maxwell	Kam	Cody
46	73	57	35

2022-2023: Johnny Dawkins Jr. at UCF

Johnny Dawkins Jr. took over as head coach of the UCF Knights in 2016 following an extended tenure at Stanford University. His debut season with UCF was a success, as the team posted a strong 24-12 record in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Over his tenure, Dawkins has enjoyed a respectable level of success, holding a winning percentage of 59% with an overall record of 148-103. While UCF may not be regarded as a national powerhouse, nor even as one of Florida’s top programs, Dawkins has excelled at recruiting players that fit his system and retaining talent that has contributed significantly to the team’s performance.

The 2022-2023 season was solid but not extraordinary for UCF, finishing with a 19-15 overall record and an 8-10 mark in AAC play. While Dawkins has only achieved 20+ wins in two of his eight seasons, UCF’s start to the season showed promise, as the team went 10-3 before conference play. However, they finished 7th in the AAC, and despite their efforts, lost to Memphis in the second round of the AAC tournament. Still, the Knights earned a spot in the NIT tournament, where they defeated in-state rival Florida in the first round but fell to a tough Oregon team in the second.

Offensively, Dawkins relies on a motion offense, a scheme considered somewhat outdated but still capable of generating success. UCF ranked 182nd nationally in points per game (71.5), and although the Knights averaged 13.8 assists per game (126th nationally), their field goal percentage was low at 42.9% (ranking 282nd). The Knights attempted 58.2 field goals per game but only converted 25 on average, an inefficiency that hampered their ability to capitalize on opportunities and elevate the team further.

Defensively, UCF excelled, limiting opponents to just 65.5 points per game (48th nationally). The Knights’ defense was particularly strong on the perimeter, holding opponents to 30.7% shooting from beyond the arc (29th nationally). However, the Knights often found themselves in close, low-scoring affairs. When the margin was within 7 points, UCF struggled, finishing with a record of 4-11 in those games.

Despite these challenges, the 2022-2023 season provided a platform for UCF to build on. The Knights’ recruiting paid off, as they secured Taylor Hendricks, a top-100 recruit from Calvary Christian. Hendricks made an immediate impact, averaging 15.1 points and 7 rebounds per game, earning him NBA draft consideration at the season’s end. UCF also benefited from veteran contributions, including senior guard CJ Kelly (13.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG), a transfer from UMass, and guard Ithiel Horton (12.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG), a transfer from Pitt. However, with Hendricks entering the NBA draft and other key players exhausting their eligibility or transferring, Dawkins faced the challenge of rebuilding the roster for the following season.

2023-2024: A Step in the Wrong Direction

The 2023-2024 season was marked by an influx of transfers, with UCF adding seven new players to the roster. Despite returning their starting point guard Darius Johnson, the Knights regressed, finishing with a 17-16 record and a 7-11 mark in AAC play, signaling a step back for Dawkins’ squad.

Offensively, UCF struggled mightily, finishing with 71.7 points per game (236th nationally) and converting just 42% of their field goals. The ball movement and fluidity that characterized the previous season also diminished, as the team ranked 314th in assists. These offensive woes kept the Knights from finding consistent success throughout the season.

On the defensive end, UCF remained a solid unit, holding opponents to 67.9 points per game (66th nationally). However, even strong defensive performances couldn’t compensate for the team’s offensive inefficiencies, especially as UCF transitioned from the AAC to the more competitive Big 12. Despite a first-round NIT exit to USF, UCF showed they could compete at a higher level, though they fell short of the mark.

Individually, the acquisition of Jaylin Sellers proved to be a bright spot for UCF, as he averaged 15.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Darius Johnson also showed growth, averaging 15.2 points and 3.7 assists, improving his role as the team’s floor general. Despite having talent, UCF’s roster construction seemed disjointed, with transfers lacking clearly defined roles and a cohesive system.

Looking Ahead: 2024-2025 Season Outlook

As UCF looks toward the 2024-2025 season, questions remain about how Dawkins will integrate the program’s newly acquired talent. Can he push the team beyond the 20-win threshold? Dawkins has assembled what is likely the most talented group he’s coached during his time at UCF, but managing these assets and avoiding a logjam in rotations will be crucial.

Key contributors returning include Jaylin Sellers and Darius Johnson, solidifying the backcourt with veteran experience. UCF also bolstered its roster with six new transfers, including Keyshawn Hall from George Mason (16.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG), Benny Williams from Syracuse, a former 5-star recruit, and Jordan Ivy-Curry from UTSA, who averaged 17.1 PPG while shooting 38.7% from three. The addition of JJ Taylor, a former 4-star recruit from Memphis, and two notable players with redemption arcs—Mikey Williams from Memphis and Dior Johnson from the JUCO ranks—further strengthens the team.

In addition, UCF landed a significant recruit in 7’1″ big man Moustapha Thiam from DME Academy. Thiam offers impressive defensive presence and length, which will help UCF maintain its reputation as one of the best defensive teams in the nation.

With 34.2% of last season’s minutes returning and 50% of the team’s scoring coming back, UCF’s transfer talent will have ample opportunity to step into impactful roles. The Knights are expected to contend as a middle-of-the-pack team in the Big 12, competing against top programs like Kansas and Texas. The challenge for Dawkins will be aligning his players’ individual goals with the team’s overarching objectives.

The offensive inefficiencies that plagued UCF in recent seasons must be addressed if they are to contend for a high-level tournament run. A key player to watch is Moustapha Thiam, whose unique skill set at his size could make him a difference-maker. If UCF can clean up its offensive execution and break through the 20-win mark, an NCAA Tournament bid is within reach for the Knights.