ORLANDO — The UCF Knights failed their first major-conference basketball test Nov. 8 when Vanderbilt lit them up for 14 3-pointers and 105 points.
Fortunately for Johnny Dawkins and his crew, there’s plenty more opportunities for NCAA Tournament résumé-building wins ahead — most recently, the team’s Nov. 14 trip to Texas A&M.
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The Big 12 Conference is among the nation’s best in terms of men’s basketball, and UCF has a handful of intriguing non-league showdowns before the calendar flips to 2026. Here are five matchups worth watching in a pivotal year for Dawkins and the program on the whole.
Pittsburgh, Nov. 20
Mar 11, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Brandin Cummings (3) shoots while defended by Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Garrett Sundra (12) during the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The first of two neutral-site, non-conference matchups on UCF’s schedule, the Knights will make the short drive to the east coast and battle Pittsburgh at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.
Pitt’s out to a 2-0 start with routine victories over Youngstown State and Longwood, and it also notched a decent preseason victory over Providence. Sophomore guard Brandin Cummings is off to an impressive start, averaging 18.5 points per game with a 7-of-12 shooting clip beyond the arc.
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UCF’s other neutral-site contest is set for Dec. 23 — a rematch with Florida Atlantic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Knights prevailed 100-94 last November, handing John Jakus his first defeat as the Owls’ coach.
Kansas, Jan. 3
Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) on the line in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Say this about UCF’s first two home meetings with the blueblood Jayhawks; they’ve been memorable.
The Knights staged a historic 65-60 upset on Jan. 10, 2024, for their first Big 12 win. It still stands as the highest-ranked opponent UCF has ever toppled. Kansas sat No. 3 in the AP poll at the time.
But Kansas got its revenge last January, destroying the Knights by 51 points — the most lopsided home loss in program history. This year’s Jayhawks feature one of the most talented freshmen in the nation, 6-foot-6 guard Darryn Peterson.
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Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) hits a hook shot over Georgia State Panthers center Christian Beam (32) in the first half of the NCAA basketball game at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Nov. 7, 2025.
There’s always a bit of bad blood between the Bearcats and the Knights, but this longstanding feud will hit an entirely new level come January.
Cincinnati poached Moustapha Thiam last offseason from the Knights in a package deal with assistant coach Mamadou N’diaye. Thiam, UCF’s highest-ranked recruit ever, started 34 games and averaged 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game as a reclassified freshman.
Wes Miller faces a must-win mandate from the Cincinnati faithful, having failed to qualify for March Madness in his four previous seasons. Florida Atlantic transfer Baba Miller, Fort Lauderdale native Shon Abaev, well-traveled Estonian shooter Kerr Kriisa and returning senior guard Day Day Thomas join Thiam in forming a stout starting five.
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Nov 3, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) celebrates a play against the Florida Gators in the second half of the Hall of Fame Series game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Few players generated as much national attention in the opening week as Arizona freshman Koa Peat.
The 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward torched defending national champion Florida for 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block. Peat, from nearby Gilbert, Arizona, made 11 of 18 shots from the field.
Jaden Bradley, Anthony Dell’Orso and Tobe Awaka return to a Wildcats squad that handled UCF 88-80 in Tucson last January. This will be Arizona’s first cross-country visit to Addition Financial Arena, though, and it should inspire a sellout crowd.
at BYU, Feb. 24
Nov 3, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) speaks during a press conference after the Hall of Fame Series game against the Villanova Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
UCF gets a crack at Texas Tech at home, and makes trips to Iowa State and Houston as well. But BYU could morph into a genuine powerhouse under second-year coach Kevin Young.
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Richie Saunders is a lethal perimeter shooter, and top-ranked freshman AJ Dybansta popped off for 21 points and six rebounds in the Cougars’ debut, a 71-66 win over Villanova in Las Vegas. Throw in the addition of Big 12 All-Freshman guard Robert Wright III from Baylor and Southern Illinois transfer Kennard Davis Jr., and BYU could improve upon last year’s trip to the Sweet 16.
UCF plays back-to-back games in the Beehive State, visiting Utah up the road in Salt Lake City three days ahead of time.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights basketball games to watch in 2025-26 season
