NEW: The future of UCF Knights basketball

[ucf1]

The future of UCF Knights basketball

The UCF Knights basketball season was full of ups and downs, but as their scheduled games come to an end, what does the future hold?

www.sonsofucf.com

Is decision looming for the future of the program?​

The UCF Knights scheduled basketball season came to an end in an inspired loss to Kansas in the Big 12 tournament. Sure, there could still be some basketball left for the Knights to play (NIT or Crown, anybody?), but ostensibly the season is over. And what a season it was, almost, for the Knights. A hot start early, injuries to key players, late season losing streak, and some grit and fight at the very end. If that recipe sounds familiar, it’s because that has basically become the blueprint for UCF basketball over the past few years. But what will become of this basketball program in the future, and how will they get there?

Read more here from Adam Eaton for the Sons of UCF.

 

[Oldest Man]

The future of UCF Knights basketball

The UCF Knights basketball season was full of ups and downs, but as their scheduled games come to an end, what does the future hold?

www.sonsofucf.com

Is decision looming for the future of the program?​

The UCF Knights scheduled basketball season came to an end in an inspired loss to Kansas in the Big 12 tournament. Sure, there could still be some basketball left for the Knights to play (NIT or Crown, anybody?), but ostensibly the season is over. And what a season it was, almost, for the Knights. A hot start early, injuries to key players, late season losing streak, and some grit and fight at the very end. If that recipe sounds familiar, it’s because that has basically become the blueprint for UCF basketball over the past few years. But what will become of this basketball program in the future, and how will they get there?

Read more here from Adam Eaton for the Sons of UCF.

Keep Johnny if he can do the job....however, to date he hasn't shown that he even has a complete grasp of it. At a basic level, a good Coach understands the team's strengths and weaknesses, coaches them to play to their strengths and works hard with them to improve on their weaknesses. Johnny showed this year that he's not a good coach at improving weaknesses. The entire year we started games poorly (showing a lack of preparation). And we got beat up in the paint and on the boards, game in and game out (showing the inability to adjust defensively and to defend our own basket). All of this was obvious from Day 1 and never got any better. Johnny should have been pushed by his boss to correct the situation. And if that happened (which I doubt) with the results, then his boss failed at his job. Johnny needs help (and not just the 5 or so assistant coaches that he has) and guidance (so that he can be held accountable). The truth is that there is little to no accountability in the basketball program now. If we want to compete with the big boys, that has to change.

 

[Central Floridave]

I'd let Dawkins run out to the end of his contract, then hire someone new if he doesn't get it done by then.

Buy outs and hiring coaches are too expensive. Johnny ain't that bad of a coach. Players like him, he is approachable and friendly. He don't like losing either. Every team has ups n downs. Is having a long time, 9 years, head coach better than starting anew? I don't know, I'll support what ever decision is made however, just to blurt out all the negatives without burting out the positives is kind of one sided.

Last year when duh*bools came in and beat us in the NIT on our court was when I was going...hmmmm...meh... But, usf was pretty good last year. We should have been better.

The wins are great, the losses suck. The moral victories like the last OT with Kansas was exciting and entertaining and gives me a slimmer of hope...but, we've been there before.

I think decision is made late Sunday or Monday after 'decision sunday' for the Big Dance and NIT are announced.

Do you fire a coach with one more game left? Or, if no post season play....off with their head?

For me, like mentioned, If I was in charge I'd let Coach Dawkins to run at least one more year or to end of contract which I think is 2026/27.

 

[Knights8590]

I am alright with him staying another year, because 25-26 is guaranteed anyway. From what I have read, 26-27 is not guaranteed. He certainly doesn't deserve a raise or extension. Maybe he gets it right next year. That would be his 10th year. By then he should have it together. He struggled in the American and Big 12. I think 10 years is enough if he can't accomplish more. I only remember 1 NCAA tournament invite and 0 conference championships over the last 9 years. I have had season tickets since before the time here started here. The years normally start with promise only to fade away at the end. It is truly a pattern with him. I think he did better than Gus did this season.

 

[PaulsDriveIn]

I am alright with him staying another year, because 25-26 is guaranteed anyway. From what I have read, 26-27 is not guaranteed. He certainly doesn't deserve a raise or extension. Maybe he gets it right next year. That would be his 10th year. By then he should have it together. He struggled in the American and Big 12. I think 10 years is enough if he can't accomplish more. I only remember 1 NCAA tournament invite and 0 conference championships over the last 9 years. I have had season tickets since before the time here started here. The years normally start with promise only to fade away at the end. It is truly a pattern with him. I think he did better than Gus did this season.

Dawkins should have had it together 5 years ago. He should be winning 20 games each season.

 

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

Looking more and more like UCF could be NIT bound with a home game. I’ve read already about four or five P4 schools that have declined offers (Wake, South Carolina, Indiana, possibly WVU?)…

 

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

Looking more and more like UCF could be NIT bound with a home game. I’ve read already about four or five P4 schools that have declined offers (Wake, South Carolina, Indiana, possibly WVU?)…

And LSU as well.

 

[Central Floridave]

What is the reasoning to turn down the NIT?

 

[Poolside Knight]

think UNC turned the NIT down last year

it is turned down probably bc of injury risk, moving on w offseason moves, and Program standards.

 

[LoboCane]

What is the reasoning to turn down the NIT?

There’s no money in it. It means nothing if you win it.

 

[PaulsDriveIn]

Looking more and more like UCF could be NIT bound with a home game. I’ve read already about four or five P4 schools that have declined offers (Wake, South Carolina, Indiana, possibly WVU?)…

Nope.

 

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

Nope.

But they will be in the new tournament (Crown). Held in Las Vegas in late March. I’ve heard potential NIL prize pool money on the line.

 

[LoboCane]

But they will be in the new tournament (Crown). Held in Las Vegas in late March. I’ve heard potential NIL prize pool money on the line.

The NIL money is given to the school to distribute among the CURRENT basketball players on the team.

 

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

The NIL money is given to the school to distribute among the CURRENT basketball players on the team.

Okay? Did I say otherwise? I mean it’s a brand new tournament, I have no idea anything about it.

 

[PaulsDriveIn]

But they will be in the new tournament (Crown). Held in Las Vegas in late March. I’ve heard potential NIL prize pool money on the line.

Ehhh they don't deserve to play any kind of post season.

 

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

Ehhh they don't deserve to play any kind of post season.

It’s one thing to be critical of Dawkins, to admit that his teams underachieved in the AAC, that the program is far from elite. Basketball has its issues.

But if UCF is competing in something, I’m supporting them. It could be checkers, chess, whatever. If they’re playing, I’m all in.

It’s always Go Knights, Charge On!

 

[Knights8590]

I would have preferred an NIT home game or two. But it would be amazing to win the first ever Crown Tournament. It would be good for the team going into the off-season. One time they won an early season Bahamas tournament. They also went far in the NIT one year when BJ Taylor was on the team.

 

[PaulsDriveIn]

I would have preferred an NIT home game or two. But it would be amazing to win the first ever Crown Tournament. It would be good for the team going into the off-season. One time they won an early season Bahamas tournament. They also went far in the NIT one year when BJ Taylor was on the team.

I will root for them, but those players and coaches largely didn't care about winning once they got kicked in the face, so I don't want them trying now.