By Adrian Beecher
UCF men’s basketball has mapped out its non-conference path for the 2024-25 season, a slate that includes nine home games, two neutral-site contests, and a trip into an unfamiliar part of SEC country for the first time.
The schedule, announced Wednesday, solidifies the path for what marks head coach Johnny Dawkins’ 10th season in charge of the Knights. UCF’s lineup features two NCAA Tournament teams from last season and three first-time opponents.
Home to Start
The Knights open Nov. 3 at Addition Financial Arena against Hofstra, marking the first meeting between the two programs. Vanderbilt, fresh off an NCAA Tournament berth, visits Orlando on Nov. 8, followed by Florida A&M on Nov. 11.
First Trip to College Station
UCF will hit the road Nov. 14 for its first-ever game at Texas A&M. The Aggies finished fifth in the SEC last season and entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed. The Knights return to Orlando to host Oakland on Nov. 17 before heading to Daytona Beach to meet ACC foe Pitt in a neutral-site matchup.
Back Home for Five
A lengthy homestand follows with Quinnipiac (Nov. 25), VMI (Nov. 29), Towson (Dec. 7), Mercer (Dec. 17), and FGCU (Dec. 20). Quinnipiac’s visit will be the first time the programs meet on the court.
Closing Out With FAU
UCF caps its non-conference slate Dec. 23 against Florida Atlantic at a neutral site. The Sunshine State rivalry has been played 32 times, with the Knights holding a 23-10 advantage.
Big 12 Awaits
Conference play will feature 18 games. UCF is set to host Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Kansas, TCU, and Texas Tech. Home-and-home matchups are scheduled with Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia. The Knights’ road-only opponents are BYU, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas State, and Utah. Dates for the league schedule will be announced later.
Dawkins’ 10th Year
The 2024-25 campaign represents a milestone for Dawkins, who has led UCF since 2016. The Knights’ non-conference schedule offers a balance of regional rivalries, national tests, and opportunities to sharpen before navigating the program’s second year in the Big 12
