Dr. Blackwell's BLOG

The UCF Knights (10-2; 1-0 Big XII) marched into Lubbock on Tuesday and handed the Red Raiders of Texas Tech (9-3; 0-1 Big XII) an 87-83 loss. Per UCF Athletics:

The UCF men’s basketball team started celebrating the new year early by launching fireworks of its own before the stroke of midnight in its Big 12 Conference opener, topping Texas Tech 87-83 thanks to a second-consecutive game shooting greater than 50% from the field. Keyshawn Hall was a perfect seven-for-seven from the floor in the first half, dropping 17 points while Darius Johnson had 17 of his own in the second to power the Knights to a New Year’s Eve victory on the road.

“It was a hard-fought win. They’re all well earned in the Big 12. I thought our guys did a good job of understanding what we had to do to give ourselves a chance to win. Really proud of our guys, they really came ready to play tonight. They were well prepared, as was Texas Tech; we beat a good team tonight.”JOHNNY DAWKINSUCF MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH

UCF’s offense was on display for the entirety of the first half, shooting 57.1% with 47 points, tied for the most in a game this season. The offensive eruption was a continuation of the Knights’ last contest 10 days ago, thumping Jacksonville 86-66 while shooting 58.7%, the highest mark since shooting 60.4% against Temple on Jan. 2, 2019. Hall led the charge on Tuesday afternoon, starting the contest a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor including a trio of three pointers, chalking up 17 points in the first half.

“I was just staying aggressive outside because I didn’t want to make my game one dimensional. I know I can get downhill so I was just trying to stay confident in my jump shot through the whole like I’ve done this whole season. The coaches and everybody have been giving me confidence in practice to shoot it, so I’ve been getting in the gym extra and just shooting it, so when guys back up, I let it rip.”KEYSHAWN HALLUCF JUNIOR GUARD/FORWARD

Texas Tech opened the scoring with two buckets in its first two trips down the floor. The pair of quick scores wound up being the Red Raiders’ largest lead of the game just 68 seconds into the contest. UCF’s first points game on a couple of Johnson free throws at the 17:45 mark. Hall got going with a defensive rebound and a jumper and also scored on the Knights next trip down the floor, locking the score at 6-6. Dallan ‘Deebo’ Coleman earned a steal and got his first points of the tilt 4:30 into it, putting UCF in front. Another Hall layup followed by a Coleman three-pointer gave the Knights an early seven-point edge at 13-6 with 14:17 remaining.

The Red Raiders jumped in front briefly with an 8-0 run over the next 90 seconds or so, but proved to be their final lead of the contest at 14-13. Moustapha Thiam banged home a three-pointer to get the Black and Gold back in front, his first of two made triples on three total attempts from deep on the afternoon, doubling his season total of made threes.

The first half lead didn’t move north of six points until there were six minutes left in the opening frame as UCF pulled out to a 36-29 lead. Texas Tech continued to make shots in its own offensive end to the tune of a 44.4% clip to keep the game close as the Knights carried a 47-41 lead into the break.

UCF surrendered the first basket of the second half, but from there, it was nearly all Knights for the next five minutes. Thiam fought his way to the rim for a tip-in prior to a Hall three-pointer to put the Black and Gold up nine at 54-45. After a Texas Tech make to draw back within seven, Jordan Ivy-Curry nailed a step back jumper followed by a layup and three pointer from Thiam. Johnson drove the lane for a tough layup and put the Knights in front by 16 at 61-45.

The Knights continued to hold a double-digit lead, eventually reaching a game-best 18-point edge with 10:06 remaining with a trio of Ivy-Curry free throws, making it 71-53. Texas Tech responded with its best run of the game, putting up 11 straight points to whittle the lead to seven with 7:30 to play. The Red Raiders refused to go away, trimming the lead to six at 79-73 heading into the final media timeout.

“We were trying to find ways to manufacture points, especially when they were making their runs, we tried to find ways to put guys in position to be successful. Ultimately, players have to make plays, and I thought whether it was Keyshawn or Darius, I thought those guys made the plays that were in front of them at the time, and that’s all you can ask. First half, I thought Keyshawn really set the tone for us and helped us get going and in the second half, Darius really started putting his foot on the pedal a little bit more.”JOHNNY DAWKINS UCF MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH

Johnson was clutch down the stretch, burying a three-pointer from way downtown out of the media timeout to extend the lead back to nine. Texas Tech answered with two makes, but again Johnson had an answer, earning a pair of points in the paint to make it 84-78 with 2:30 on the clock. After missing the front end of a pair of free throws, Tech’s JT Toppin, who finished the contest with a game-high 26 points, earned another pair for his team to cut UCF’s lead to a single possession at 84-81 with 75 seconds to play.

Toppin again tried to carry his team back to a lead, scoring off a UCF turnover to make it a one-point game with 37 ticks of the clock left. Johnson was fouled bringing the ball up the floor on the ensuing possession with 19 seconds left and cashed in on his two free throws. The Red Raiders came up empty on their next possession as a missed three pointer to tie the contest went wide and eventually out of play, giving the Knights possession with eight seconds remaining. Johnson again was fouled and made one-of-two from the charity stripe to give UCF the 87-83 edge. Texas Tech’s final heave was off as the Black and Gold secured the road victory and a 1-0 start to league play.

“I thought our guys did a really good job of understanding those big moments, guys were stepping up and making plays. We have some experienced guys on our roster and they played composed, so when the lead was getting cut or it was a one possession game, that’s when their poise showed.”JOHNNY DAWKINSUCF MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH

Johnson missed just twice in the second half, going five-of-six from the field, a perfect two-of-two from three-point range and five-of-six to compile 17 points. He led UCF on the stat sheet with 24 points, his fifth 20+ point outing this season and 13th of his career. Hall’s 22-point performance was his second-straight game with 20 or more points after scoring 21 against Jacksonville. It was his fifth 20+ point showing on the campaign and 15th of his career. Only Ivy-Curry boasts more career 20+ point performances on UCF’s roster with 18. Ivy-Curry had his double-digit point streak snapped on Tuesday, scoring nine points after earning 10 or more points in his first 11 games as a Knight.

UCF’s 87-point performance in its Big 12 opener was more points than it had scored in any Big 12 regular season win during the 2023-24 campaign and one shy of tying the most they had scored in any conference game last season. UCF’s 87 points represent the 44th time that UCF has scored 80 points or more under Dawkins, improving to 39-5 in those games. Dating back to last season, the Knights have won their last three Big 12 road games, beating Oklahoma State 77-71 on Feb. 28 and TCU  79-77 on March 9.

The Black and Gold’s besting of Texas Tech snapped its perfect 8-0 record and dropped the Red Raiders to 12-17 all-time in Big 12 openers. UCF now leads the all-time series against Texas Tech 2-1 with a pair of consecutive wins, including a Big 12-play best 14 points in Orlando to the tune of a 75-61 win on Feb. 24 last season.

The Knights have won six straight with Tuesday’s victory and is UCF’s first six-game winning streak since the 2019-20 season. A win in its next contest would be the first seven-game winning streak since the Knights’ magical 2018-19 season that ended in an NCAA Tournament berth and first win in March Madness in program history. UCF is out to a 10-2 start for the third time in the last four campaigns and fifth total time under Dawkins.

UCF sunk 10 three-pointers on Tuesday afternoon, its second consecutive game doing so and fifth total occurrence through 12 contests thus far. The Knights accomplished that feat just twice last season. Additionally, UCF already has three games where they’ve shot 50% or better from the floor after doing that just four times in the previous campaign.

Texas Tech’s defense entered the game ranking 26th in the nation in scoring defense, averaging 63.3 points scored by opponents. UCF bested that mark by over 20 points, and also shot 51.8% on Tuesday, 12.3% better than the Red Raiders’ 45th-ranked field goal percentage defense. The win was the 55th time a Dawkins-led UCF team has shot 50% or better, improving to 51-4 in those games.

Dawkins continues to have his squad dialed during the month of December, now 43-12 during the month in his tenure, including a perfect 4-0 this season.

UP NEXT
The Knights return home to Addition Financial Arena for their first home game of the Big 12 slate for a contest against No. 7 Kansas at 4 p.m. on Sunday on ESPN+. UCF opens its home league schedule against Kansas for the second straight campaign, besting the No. 3 Jayhawks 65-60 on Jan. 10 for the highest ranked win in program history. The Black and Gold return to Orlando boasting an 8-0 home record after going perfect through its non-conference schedule for the first time since 2011-12.

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After Gus Malzahn’s departure, UCF has decided to hire the football Coach that gave its program its most notoriety and success, Scott Frost. Per UCF Athletics:

ORLANDO – After an unforgettable two-year run that saw the UCF football program rise to national prominence, Scott Frost is coming back home. Known for sparking the “Charge On” spirit and guiding UCF to its first perfect season, Frost has been named the next head football coach at UCF by Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir. Frost and UCF agreed on a five-year contract through the 2029 season.

“Today marks an exciting reunion for UCF Football as we welcome back Scott Frost, a coach who ignites the spirit and passion of Knight Nation,” Mohajir said. “Scott’s love for his players, along with his leadership, enthusiasm and vision were pivotal in making the decision to bring him back to UCF. Throughout this national search, his passion for UCF was clear. I believe no one wanted to lead our program more than Scott.”

Frost originally served as UCF’s head coach from 2016 to 2017, culminating in a historic 13-0 season, an AAC championship and a national championship that captured the nation’s attention. In his final game, Frost guided UCF to a victory over No. 7 Auburn in the 2018 Peach Bowl, securing the program’s first undefeated season in school history.

Frost posted the greatest two-year turnaround in college football history at UCF, inheriting a 0-12 team in 2015 and taking the Knights to a perfect season in his second and final year, when he was named the national coach of the year.

Frost began his coaching career at Northern Iowa in 2007 as a linebackers coach and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2008. That season, his defense excelled, tying for third in the FCS with 40 takeaways and ranking ninth in scoring defense, allowing just 17.7 points per game. The 12-3 Panthers also led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in both rushing defense (107.1 yards per game) and scoring defense.

In 2009, Frost joined the Oregon coaching staff as the wide receivers coach under head coach Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. Over his four seasons in this role, Oregon appeared in four consecutive BCS bowls, and three of Frost’s wide receivers earned invitations to NFL camps.

After Kelly left for the Philadelphia Eagles, Oregon promoted Mark Helfrich to head coach and named Frost offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2013. In this role, Frost guided Marcus Mariota to a Heisman Trophy win and a berth in the national championship game. During Frost’s tenure as offensive coordinator, Oregon recorded a 33–8 record and consistently ranked among the nation’s top teams in scoring and total offense. His standout performance in 2014 earned him a finalist spot for the prestigious Broyles Award, recognizing the nation’s top assistant coach.

Following his two years at UCF, Scott Frost served as the head football coach at the University of Nebraska for four-plus seasons. This season, Frost has been serving as a coaching consultant for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.

Story Courtesy UCF Athletics:

In the midst of the euphoric chaos unfolding on the floor around him, senior guard Darius Johnson reflected on the job he and his team accomplished.

“It’s a great experience, but we’re supposed to get that win. We went into the game expecting to win, and nothing less.”

Johnson, in the first game of his fourth season donning the Black and Gold, took up his mantle as their leader, dropping a game-high 24 points to lead the UCF men’s basketball team to a statement 64-61 opening night upset victory over the No. 13 Texas A&M Aggies at Addition Financial Arena Monday evening.

The winning effort represented the 11th over a ranked opponent in program history, the fourth in the last two years, and the first in three tries in a season-opener.

In the current calendar year alone, the Knights have now toppled four top 25 opponents on their home floor, also besting then-No. 3 Kansas Jan. 10, then-No. 23 Oklahoma Feb. 3, and then-No. 23 Texas Tech Feb. 24. The contest also marked the ninth of UCF’s 11 all-time ranked wins to have been achieved under Dawkins.

A testament to head coach Johnny Dawkins, Monday evening’s feat, the first win by UCF in the first meeting between the two programs, was accomplished with just two returning players who played tonight from the 2023-24 campaign, Johnson and sophomore guard Nils Machowski.

“What an opening game, to play against a team with that type of experience and talent. I thought it was great for our team,” Dawkins said. “You bring in 11 new guys, you don’t know what to expect, and they showed me something today. They can play with composure and the moment wasn’t too big for them. They beat a really good, well-coached team.”

The Knights gained momentum early with a hot hand from beyond the arc and later iced the game from the free throw line.

Staring up at a 10-point deficit for the fourth time, UCF, having made just five field goals through the first 10:58 of the second half, made the adjustment against a staunch Aggies defense that led the SEC in rebounding and ranked fifth in scoring defense last season.

The Black and Gold forced 17 free throw attempts through the game’s final six minutes and 51 seconds, converting 13 to help erase a 54-44 Aggies advantage and end the contest with eight unanswered points. Two key blocks by sophomore JJ Taylor on the defensive end, both coming in the final two minutes, were not lost on Johnson as crucial moments in halting any late Texas A&M momentum.

“JJ, he made a lot of great plays down the stretch, defensively and offensively,” Johnson continued. “He had a great offensive rebound to put us up one, which was a huge play down the stretch. As leaders and older guys on the team, we’ve been pushing JJ to get more out of him, and he’s been doing a great job with that. He came out and showcased his abilities tonight.”

A shaky start that saw the Knights fail on each of their first eight tries from the field was quickly shoved aside with an emphatic dunk by junior transfer Keyshawn Hall, giving UCF its first two points of the season while trimming the Aggies’ lead to 6-2 just under five minutes in.

Taylor opened the floodgates moments later, drilling his team’s first 3-point shot of the night to ignite a stretch that saw him score seven on the strength of four consecutive made tries from the line.

Johnson, on the heels of his single-season career best 15.2 points per game a year ago, connected on his first two tries from beyond the arc around a converted Jordan Ivy-Curry 3-point try, slimming Texas A&M’s lead to 23-18 with 8:03 on the first-half clock.

Ivy-Curry then followed an Aggies dunk with four more points of his own to keep his team close, then joined Johnson in making consecutive triples to help the Knights to a 29-29 tie at halftime.

“They have a lot of character,” Dawkins said. “We worked out this summer and fall, and what I saw are guys who love to compete and love to win. We’re playing against each other in practice, it’s very competitive, and that’s how you get better. They did a good job understanding what they need to do to work their way back in the game.”

Johnson added two more 3-point shots in the early stages of the second half before the Aggies built their lead back up to double figures, coming one triple shy of tying his single-game career high of six he set against the BYU Cougars March 13, 2024.

Having entered the season just 58 points shy of 1,000 in his career, the veteran guard also now needs just 34 more to become the 21st Knight in program history to reach the plateau, and join Ivy-Curry and Jaylin Sellers as the third Knight on the active roster with a 1,000-point resume.

In their respective UCF debuts, Ivy-Curry (16), Taylor (10) and Hall (10) joined Johnson in double-digit scoring, while freshman Moustapha Thiam, the first five-star recruit and the highest-ranked recruit in program history, made his seven-foot, two-inch frame felt with six blocks, finishing two shy of the program’s single-game record.

“This is a statement game,” Johnson continued. “Moving forward we want to make people respect us.”

UP NEXT
UCF will look to continue the momentum accrued from its prolific victory, hosting Purdue Fort Wayne in its next contest Friday, Nov. 8. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. from Addition Financial Arena and will be streamed on ESPN+.

FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Follow UCF men’s basketball on X (@UCF_MBB), Instagram (@UCF.MBB) and Facebook (/UCFMensBasketball).