As Selection Sunday arrives, the UCF Knights expect to hear their name called for the first time since 2019.
UCF produced a 21-11 record, reaching the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals for the first time and winning nine conference games — its highest total since joining from the American Conference ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Knights tied a single-season program record with three victories against ranked opponents, storming the court at home after toppling both Kansas and Texas Tech and solidifying their résumé near the end of February with an upset of BYU in Provo, Utah. However, they closed with four defeats from their final five games, needing an eight-point rally in just over two minutes to avoid a second-round exit at the hands of rival Cincinnati.
So, is it indeed time to bust out the dancing shoes? Or did the weekend’s conference tournament results alter the Knights’ plans?
Let’s take a look at UCF’s case to crack the 68-team field, plus predictions from industry experts as to where the team could end up heading.
UCF basketball NCAA Tournament résumé
UCF basketball bracketology predictions
Potential bid stealers in conference tournaments
The Mid-American Conference and the Atlantic 10 could end up sending multiple teams after their respective top seeds, Miami (Ohio) and St. Louis, were bounced from postseason tournaments.
Miami, which went 31-0 during the regular season, suffered a stunning quarterfinal loss to UMass. Akron edged Toledo 79-76 in Cleveland for the title and the MAC’s automatic March Madness berth.
Dayton and VCU will square off for the Atlantic 10 championship at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15. VCU was firmly on the bubble entering the week, while Dayton needs a victory to snatch a spot.
Utah State did the Knights, and other bubble hopefuls, a potential favor by fending off San Diego State for the Mountain West crown.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Where UCF basketball stands in Men’s March Madness bracket predictions
Reporting by Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
