UCF Knights
American (23-8, 13-5)
UCF had a quiet non-conference campaign. They went a solid 10-2, but only picked up one decent win against Alabama. It was in American Athletic Conference play where the Knights picked up their biggest win of the year in an early March home victory over Houston. That win propelled UCF into the NCAA Tournament discussion.
Big Wins: 11/29 Alabama (70-64), 3/2 at Houston (69-64), 3/7 Cincinnati (58-55)
Bad Losses: 11/11 Florida Atlantic (79-80), 12/2 at Missouri (62-64), 1/16 at Wichita State (67-75)
Coach: Johnny Dawkins
Why They Can Surprise:
As with most teams that reach the tournament, UCF has gotten this far with their defense and ability to take care of the ball. The entire team deserves credit for their success on defense, but they are much better when 7-6 center Tacko Fall is on the floor. The massive senior averages 2.5 blocks per game and no team will have an easy time attacking the basket when Fall is patrolling the paint. Fall is more than just a shot blocker though, he is also averaging 10.9 points and a team high 7.3 rebounds. Fellow senior forward Chad Brown is a decent shot blocker as well.
Why They Can Disappoint:
B.J. Taylor and Aubrey Dawkins are decent shooters, but overall this is not a prolific shooting team. Taylor scores most of his 16.0 points per game by attacking the basket. Dawkins is a bit more prolific and consistent from beyond the arc and it will be very important for UCF that Dawkins remains a consistent shooting threat. In order to defend UCF, the opposition will often back into the paint and contain Fall and Taylor attacking the basket. When that happens, Dawkins has to be the difference maker and force the opposition to defend the perimeter.
Probable Starters:
Terrell Allen, Junior, Guard, 6.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.2 rpg
B.J. Taylor, Senior, Guard, 16.0 ppg, 3.3 apg
Aubrey Dawkins, Junior, Guard, 15.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Collin Smith, Sophomore, Forward, 8.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Tacko Fall, Senior, Center, 10.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.5 bpg
Key Role Players:
Chad Brown, Senior, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Dayon Griffin, Senior, Guard, 4.6 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.7 (173rd in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.8 (23, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.7 (62, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.3 (13, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.8 (265, 10)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.6 (114, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 64.7 (331, 11)
Rebound Margin: 2.6 (100, 5)
Assists Per Game: 13.5 (172, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (67, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2017 | NIT | First Round win over Colorado |
| 2017 | NIT | Second Round win over Illinois State |
| 2017 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Illinois |
| 2017 | NIT | Semifinal loss to TCU |
| 2012 | NIT | First Round loss to Drexel |
| 2011 | CBI | First Round win over St. Bonaventure |
| 2011 | CBI | Second Round win over Rhode Island |
| 2011 | CBI | Semifinal loss to Creighton |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Connecticut |
| 2004 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Pittsburgh |
| 1996 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Massachusetts |
| 1994 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Purdue |
*all team stats through 3/10
