ORLANDO — UCF released its 2025-26 men’s basketball non-conference schedule Sept. 17, including a pair of games against SEC opponents and a neutral-site showdown in Daytona Beach.
Johnny Dawkins will begin his 10th season in charge of the Knights on Nov. 3 against Hofstra, coached by another former NBA point guard, Speedy Claxton. Dawkins, who turns 62 later this month, has a record of 288-168 as UCF head coach, including a 37-33 mark since joining the Big 12 in 2023-24.
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The Knights host Vanderbilt and visit Texas A&M, two of the SEC’s 14 NCAA Tournament qualifiers, in the space of a week in mid-November. UCF, which upset Texas A&M 64-61 in last year’s home opener, will make its first trip to College Station.
On Nov. 20, UCF will make the short trip east to Daytona Beach for a Legends Classic contest against Pittsburgh at the Ocean Center. The three-team event includes Quinnipiac, who visits Addition Financial Arena on Nov. 25.
Mar 11, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; UCF Knights coach Johnny Dawkins during a timeout in the first half against the Utah Utes at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
UCF tips off against three in-state, non-conference opponents: Florida A&M (Nov. 11), Florida Gulf Coast (Dec. 20) and Florida Atlantic (Dec. 23). Nine of the Knights’ 12 non-conference contests will take place on their home floor. A location has not been announced for the neutral-site showdown with FAU.
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Dawkins will take the Knights to Duke, his alma mater, for a preseason exhibition Oct. 21.
The Big 12 will reveal its conference schedule in the near future, though UCF knows its 18 opponents for the upcoming season. Arizona, Baylor, Kansas and Texas Tech are among the league opponents who the Knights will exclusively face at home.
UCF 2025-26 men’s basketball non-conference schedule
Nov. 3 — Hofstra
Nov. 8 — Vanderbilt
Nov. 11 — Florida A&M
Nov. 14 — at Texas A&M
Nov. 17 — Oakland
Nov. 20 — Pittsburgh (Ocean Center, Daytona Beach)
Nov. 25 — Quinnipiac
Nov. 29 — VMI
Dec. 7 — Towson
Dec. 17 — Mercer
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Dec. 20 — Florida Gulf Coast
Dec. 23 — Florida Atlantic (Neutral site, TBD)
UCF 2025-26 Big 12 Conference opponents
Home — Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Kansas, TCU, Texas Tech
Away — BYU, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas State, Utah
Home and away — Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, West Virginia
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights basketball: Vandy, Texas A&M, Pitt among non-Big 12 games
