March 11, 2025; Kansas City, Mo, USA; UCF Knights Guard Darius Johnson (3) shoots the ball during the second half against Utah excludes at the T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images Kansas City, Mo.-UCF will ride at speed in a big second half in its BIG 12 tournament opener to a second round of matchup against Sixth-Seeded Kansas on Wednesday.
The 14th-seated knights (17-15) dragged with as many as 12 points during the first half against Utah on Tuesday but arose with an 87-72 victory. UCF’s Keyshawn Hall got 23 points, including 17 during the second half.
In addition to Hall, Knight’s 20 points from Darius Johnson, 15 from Jordan Ivy-Curry and 14 points and 11 returns from Moustapha Thiam.
“I’m just proud of our guys for fighting,” said UCF coach Johnny Dawkins. “We started slowly and we had to strike back, which says a lot about our guys. I’m really proud of our guys.
“I think it may have been one of the best other halves we’ve had all season. I thought our guys were really playing effective basketball offensively, and I thought the defense was outstanding.”
Knight’s next opponents are exercising an atypical season, as Kansas (20-11) enters the Big 12 tournament that is not ranked for the first time in 22 seasons under Coach Bill Self. The Jayhawks saw an 80-week line of ranking in the end last month after a distance where they went 4-5.
On paper, the Jayhawks look as good as ever, with double-double machine hunter Dickinson in the middle. Dickinson is on average 17.4 points and 9.9 returns per match. Zeke Mayo chips in 14.0 points per match, while KJ Adams Jr. and Dajuan Harris Jr. Average 9.1 points per match.
But the Jayhawks have lost too many late leads, and their sixth place is the first time that a self-led Kansas team is not among the four best seeds in the Big 12 tournament.
“This year – last year has also – been more inconsistent to enter the tournament,” Self said Monday. “I still think we have enough gas in the idea to play our best forward. If we do, it can make a very exciting time for us.”
Kansas swept the team’s two regular seasonal meetings and beat Knights 99-48 on January 5 in Orlando and 91-87 on January 28 in Lawrence, can.
-David Smale, Field Level Media
