UCF will play their inaugural Big 12 MBB game this Saturday at Kansas State after wrapping their OOC schedule at 9-3.
While every game will be challenging when you join the No. 1 conference in college basketball, K-State might be one of the more "winnable" games, at least compared to other teams UCF will play (Kansas, Houston, etc.).
From a W/L standpoint in the non-conference schedule, obviously the only gripe is losing to Stetson. It would have been great not to lose that one and find a way to pull it out vs. Ole Miss, but it is what it is.
On the bright side, UCF didn't hurt themselves with their OOC schedule. The NET ranking is 69. In the Big 12, you can play your way into the postseason.
NIT has new rules this year. They've eliminated the auto-bids for conference champs that don't win their tournament. Instead, the Power Six will receive two auto-bids for their highest rated teams (according to NET) that don't make the NCAA Tournament (regardless of record). And when you eliminate the mid-major champs, that also means plenty of room for other P6 teams.
UCF finishing with a 7-11 Big 12 record would likely land them in the NIT (would finish 16-14 before the conference tournament).
I think making the NIT - whatever the record is - would be a great first season for UCF in the Big 12.
This year's UCF team can definitely play defense. Team three-point shooting isn't great. I think they can win some games, but how exactly things will translate into the Big 12 is a mystery to me. I really don't have any expectations, but I think 6-7 wins could be attainable.
What are your expectations?
While every game will be challenging when you join the No. 1 conference in college basketball, K-State might be one of the more "winnable" games, at least compared to other teams UCF will play (Kansas, Houston, etc.).
From a W/L standpoint in the non-conference schedule, obviously the only gripe is losing to Stetson. It would have been great not to lose that one and find a way to pull it out vs. Ole Miss, but it is what it is.
On the bright side, UCF didn't hurt themselves with their OOC schedule. The NET ranking is 69. In the Big 12, you can play your way into the postseason.
NIT has new rules this year. They've eliminated the auto-bids for conference champs that don't win their tournament. Instead, the Power Six will receive two auto-bids for their highest rated teams (according to NET) that don't make the NCAA Tournament (regardless of record). And when you eliminate the mid-major champs, that also means plenty of room for other P6 teams.
UCF finishing with a 7-11 Big 12 record would likely land them in the NIT (would finish 16-14 before the conference tournament).
I think making the NIT - whatever the record is - would be a great first season for UCF in the Big 12.
This year's UCF team can definitely play defense. Team three-point shooting isn't great. I think they can win some games, but how exactly things will translate into the Big 12 is a mystery to me. I really don't have any expectations, but I think 6-7 wins could be attainable.
What are your expectations?
