UCF enters the Big 12, which last season was probably the country’s best conference. For a university with the nation’s second-largest undergraduate enrollment sitting in the middle of a huge TV market, this is an incredible opportunity.

Johnny Dawkins team last season scrapped and fought in the American but fell short too many times, and ended up in the NIT. There they beat up on Florida in Gainesville before bowing out in the next round.

• Last season: 19-15 (8-10 in the American)
• Postseason: Lost in NIT Second Round
• Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: 1 NCAA, 2 NIT
• Last NCAA: 2019
• Last league title 2005 (regular season and tournament in Atlantic Sun)
• Coach: Johnny Dawkins (131-86 in 7 years at UCF)

Thoughts:

The Knight have a lot of newcomers this year and might experience some culture shock in the Big 12. A key will be Darius Johnson who was very good at times last season but also a frequent injury concern. Johnson is a very good passer but at times a suspect shooter.

UCF has several potential impact transfers coming in, most notably Shemarri Allen from UMKC and Jaylen Sellers from Ball State. In the summer, the Knights seemed to have landed Wichita State star Jaykon Walton, but he abruptly shifted his transfer commitment to Memphis, dealing Dawkins a major blow.

Bottom line:

A road trip to Coral Gables this coming week to face the reigning ACC Regular Season Champions is a preview of what the Knights will face in the Big 12. My fear is they have too little to compete at such a high level and are going to have a rough go of it.