If UCF is to survive its second season in the Big 12, it hopes a more vigorous non-conference schedule will help.
To that point, when coach Johnny Dawkins began scheduling games, he added some that would test his team’s mettle.
UCF (4-0) travels to West Virginia this weekend for the Greenbrier Tip-Off. On Friday, they will face No. 19 Wisconsin (5-0) and either LSU (4-0) or Pittsburgh (5-0) on Sunday.
It’s a two-game stretch that could help Dawkins assess his team before beginning Big 12 play on Dec. 31.
“To prepare ourselves for our conference, we need to have games that will reflect the type of opponents we’re going to face on a nightly basis,” Dawkins said following Tuesday night’s 80-69 win over Tennessee Tech. “Playing in the Greenbrier event would be great because all those teams are accomplished. All of them are very good and they have terrific coaches.
“So we’re going to be in a position where we’re going to face some tough challenges.”
UCF is off to its best start since the 2021-22 season, highlighted by a 64-61 win over then-No. 13 Texas A&M to open the season.
UCF set to dissolve The Kingdom and bring NIL operation in-house
While the Aggies, ranked No. 15 in the latest KenPom rankings, were a good test for the Knights, the early part of the non-conference schedule featured Purdue-Fort Wayne (No. 116 in KenPom), Florida Atlantic (81) and Tennessee Tech (330).
However, Dawkins believes each opponent has presented his team with different styles and lineups to prepare them for a 20-game conference schedule.
“You want to face all different types of opponents because in conference play, you’re going to face different styles and you have to have seen those different styles to be successful,” he said.
Wisconsin already has defeated a Big 12 opponent, upsetting No. 9 Arizona 103-88 at home last week. The Badgers, projected to finish 12th in the Big Ten preseason coaches poll, have been a frequent postseason participant, appearing in the NCAA tournament in four of the past six seasons.
“It’s going to be a big test, but it’s not something we’re new to,” said senior guard Darius Johnson. “We opened up with a top-25 opponent and we’re looking to go 1-0 [against Wisconsin]. Our coaches will do a great job with the scouting. We will watch the film, execute and learn from this game and see what we have to work on.”
Depending on Friday’s results, Sunday’s foe will be a quality team in the top 50 of KenPom’s rankings, with the Tigers 48th and the Panthers 16th.
Johnson (14.5 points) is one of three Knights averaging double figures, led by transfers Jordan Ivy-Curry (17.8) and Keyshawn Hall (17.5).
Hall, a junior transfer from George Mason, has scored 20-plus points in back-to-back games.
UCF faces critical 2-game stretch with postseason hopes on the line
UCF has survived several slow starts and shooting woes, connecting on just 104 of 239 shot attempts (44%). That includes 32 of 97 from 3-point range (33%), which ranks 196th in the nation.
The Knights’ defense has kept them undefeated, allowing just 73 points per game and 41% shooting.
On Tuesday night against Tennessee Tech, UCF built a 20-point second-half advantage before allowing the Golden Eagles to cut it to 3.
“We’ve got to work on not fouling,” said Johnson. “They got to the bonus at the 11-minute mark. Wisconsin is pretty good at that, so going into this next game, we have to work on guarding without fouling and not allowing 3-pointers.”
Wisconsin has attempted 132 free throws, connecting on 117. The Badgers also attempt at least 10 3s per game.
Either way, this weekend’s games are an excellent barometer for what’s to come.
“It allows us to see where we are and what we must do going forward,” Dawkins said. “I look at all these as opportunities and this is another great opportunity for us to continue to grow as a team.”
Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
UCF vs. No. 19 Wisconsin
When: 5, Friday, Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
TV: CBS Sports Network