The UCF menā€™s basketball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years, earning an at-large bid to college basketballā€™s premiere postseason tournament.

The Knights head to Philadelphia as the No. 10 seed and will play 7-seed UCLA on Friday, March 20, at 7:25 p.m. The game will air on TBS and stream on HBO Max and NCAA March Madness Live.

UCF is one of eight Big 12 teams featured in the 68-team tournament, matching a league record.

UCFā€™s Bracket Outlook

UCF was slotted into the East Region, which features Duke as the No. 1 seed. The Knights will play their first-round matchup in Philadelphia at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

UCF (21-11) meets UCLA (23-11) for the first time in school history on Friday, March 20. UCLA has won six of its last eight games and defeated Rutgers and Michigan State to advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals before falling to Purdue.

If the Knights advance, they will face the winner of No. 2-seed UConn and No. 15-seed Furman on Sunday, March 22.

The Final Four will be held April 4-6 in Indianapolis.

The Road to March Madness

With 13 newcomers and zero points returning from last yearā€™s squad, UCF was dismissed as a bottom-dweller in the Big 12 Conference preseason poll. But the Knights produced a resume worthy of selection with their second-straight 20-win season in one of the best basketball conferences in the nation.

UCF pulled out a gutsy road win at Texas A&M early in its non-conference schedule and went on to upset three ranked teams during conference play (No. 17 Kansas, No. 11 Texas Tech and No. 19 BYU), tying a school record for the most wins over Top 25 opponents in a season.

After edging Kansas in their Big 12 Conference opener, the Knights cracked into the Associated Press national poll for the first time since 2019 at No. 25.

UCF advanced to its first quarterfinals appearance in the Big 12 Conference Tournament after clinching a thrilling overtime win against Cincinnati in the second round.

UCF March Madness Events

• Team Bus Send-off (Orlando)

Date: Wednesday, March 18

Time: 3:45 p.m.

Location: Alleyway between Garage F and the The Venue (4275 E Plaza Drive, Orlando)

Free parking available at Garage F. Bring signs, flags, and don’t forget the palm fronds.

• ChargeOn Tailgate (Philadelphia)

Date: Friday, March 20

Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Location: The Pub at Stateside Live! (1100 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia)

RSVP:

• Watch Party (Orlando)

Date: Friday, March 20

Time: 7:25 p.m. (tip-off)

Location: Miller’s Ale House – Waterford Lakes (641 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando)

UCFā€™s NCAA Tournament History

UCF earned its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance since joining the Division I ranks in 1984-85. This yearā€™s selection marks second at-large berth in program history.

The Knights earned automatic qualifiers in 1994, 1996, 2004 and 2005 when the Black and Gold won the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. UCF received its first at-large bid in 2019, following a successful season in the American Athletic Conference.

The last time UCF appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2019, the Knights made history with their first win in the tournament in school history before meeting top-ranked Duke in what would become an instant classic.

Tied at 72 with less than a minute remaining in Saturdayā€™s game, junior forward Jordan Burks drilled a 3-pointer in front of the Knightsā€™ bench that ignited UCF on to its 81-75 victory over the No. 17 Jayhawks.

As the buzzer sounded, droves of the more the 8,000 in attendance stormed the court in celebration ā€” a nearly identical scene to the Knightsā€™ 65-60 win over then-No. 3 Kansas in the first Big 12 Conference game in school history on Jan. 10, 2024.

ā€œWe beat a good basketball team tonight ā€“ the tradition, the coaching, the players they have. Just really proud of our players for playing for 40 minutes,ā€ UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins says. ā€œThey showed a lot of heart throughout the game because Kansas is [terrific]. I thought our guys did a great job of sustaining effort on the court. I thought we finished strong at the end of the game when Kansas made a really good run to tie the ball game up. Those were things we were talking about as a team prior to us going away for Christmas break; how we have to play in conference, and I thought our guys it reflected that today in how we finished the game.ā€

UCF is now ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since 2019.

This yearā€™s squad now improves to 12-1, marking the programā€™s best start under Dawkins since he took the helm in 2016. On Monday, UCF cracked into the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2019, debuting at No. 25 in the Week 9 poll.

The ranking marks just the sixth week UCF has appeared in the AP Top 25 since the programā€™s inception in 1969 and the second time under Dawkins.

Senior guard and Orlando native Riley Kugel led with 19 points, followed by guard Themus Fulks with 16 points and Burke with 14. UCFā€™s 44 first-half points marked the most the Jayhawks have allowed this season, after previously holding then-No. 5 Duke and then-No. 17 Tennessee to 41 points apiece.

Up next, the Knights continue league play when they head to Oklahoma State for an 8 p.m. matchup on Jan. 6 before returning home Jan. 11 to face Cincinnati at 5 p.m.

The Big 12 boasts the most Top 25 teams (seven) of any conference in the country.

ā€œAt the end of this day, this needs to be behind us and we have to throw all of our preparation into Oklahoma State because thatā€™s how this league is,ā€ Dawkins says. ā€œYouā€™re going to have 17 more games like we had tonight. None of them are going to be different. All of these teams are well-coached, all these teams have a lot of talent so we have to prepare for it that way.ā€

The Knights will now visit Oregon, the top seed of the region, on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Matthew Knight Arena. The first meeting in program history between the Knights and Ducks will be televised on ESPNU.

“I thought our guys came ready and prepared, I think both teams played hard,” said UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins. “After they got off to a 9-2 start, I thought our guys really locked in and were really focused. We were able to turn them over which gave us some chances to get some easy baskets and really get some momentum to end the first half.”

The Knights had a stellar defensive effort to thank for their first win in Gainesville in program history. Floridaā€™s 49 points marked the Gatorsā€™ lowest scoring performance on their home court since Jan. 13, 1962.

UCF flustered the Gators into committing 18 turnovers when the final buzzer sounded, the most in UCF’s NIT history.

Senior guard C.J. Kelly led the way for UCF on the stat sheet, scoring 21 points while adding four rebounds and two assists. Freshman standout Taylor Hendricks added 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks while senior guard Ithiel Horton scored 12 points with four rebounds and three steals.

The Knights are now 22-8 against opposing schools from The Sunshine State during the Dawkins era. Two wins were added to that tally earlier this year as UCF beat Florida State 68-54 on Nov. 11 and topped Stetson 73-58 on Dec. 21.

In the three victories over Florida foes this season, UCF has outscored them by an average of 15.7 points.

“To me, it’s a really good win,” said Dawkins. “We look at it as we have a really good state with a lot of talented teams and really good coaches, and so I think the opportunity to play each other is always good and I’m glad we had the opportunity to play against the Gators today.”

The Knights advance past the first round of the NIT for the second time in program history in three total attempts. UCF’s 2016-17 team punched their second-round ticket with a 79-74 win at home over Colorado six years ago to the day, representing the program’s first postseason win. That victory sparked the Knights’ run to the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York that season. The Black and Gold are now 4-2 all-time in the NIT.

Abrahamson-Henderson, also known as Coach Abe, has inked a one-year deal keepingĢżher at the helm through the 2022-23 season. Dawkins will lead theĢżKnights through the 2023-24 season.

ā€œWe are very fortunate to have KatieĢżAbrahamson-Henderson leading our womenā€™s basketball program [and] I am thrilled to have Johnny DawkinsĢżleading our menā€™s basketball program,ā€ says Danny White, vice president and director of .

Under Abrahamson-Hendersonā€™s guidance, the Knights finished the 2017-18 campaign with a 22-11 record, tying the most wins in a season as a Division I program. UCF turned in a 12-4 mark in The American ā€“ its best record in league play since 2010-11 ā€“ and posted its highest finish in the conference for the second consecutive season, earning the third seed.ĢżOne year after earning the programā€™s first postseason victory in either the NCAA or WNIT tournaments, Abrahamson-Hendersonā€™s squad followed with a second-straight WNIT second round appearance.

ā€œI am blessed and excited for the confidence of Danny White,ĢżBrandi Stuart, former President Hitt and new President Whittaker,ā€ Abrahamson-Henderson says. ā€œOur teamā€™s success over the last two seasons, both on the court and in the classroom, would not be possible without their support. Our entire staff is looking forward to building on the success of back-to-back postseason appearances as we head into this season and the future.ā€

Dawkins took over a 12-18 team that hadnā€™t finished above .500 since the 2012-13 season and has led UCF to 43 wins in his two years under his leadership.ĢżIn the last two seasons, Dawkinsā€™ Knights have made a run to the National Invitation Tournament Semifinals, led the NCAA in field goal percentage defense, won at Memphis for the first time ever and earned their first true road win over a ranked opponent.

ā€œIā€™m very thankful to Danny White, Eric Wood, former President John Hitt, and new President Dale Whittaker for their continued support of me and my staff,ā€ Dawkins says. ā€œItā€™s great to have our administration behind us, knowing they believe in what weā€™re doing as a program and our standard of representing UCF and the community at the highest level.ā€

With the average team GPA of 3.0 for the last two semesters, both coaches have seen academic growth among their players.

Purchase tickets for the upcoming 2018-19 menā€™s and womenā€™s basketball seasons online or callĢż407-823-1000.Ģż

ATHLETICS

ĢżLearn the basics of cheers, dances, stunts, pyramids and tumbling for cheerleaders. Open to girls and boys.

Age Group:ĢżGrades K through 9

When:ĢżJuly 11-13

Where: UCF Education Building Gymnasium

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 1

Coach ABEā€™s Girlsā€™ Basketball Camp: Prepare for the pace of college basketball with UCF womenā€™s basketball head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson and her staff, who will work with players on a variety of individual and team skills.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 8 through 12

When:ĢżJune 15

Where: CFE Arena

Johnny Dawkins Basketball Camp Advance your basketball skills, working firsthand with UCF menā€™s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins and his staff. Open to boys and girls.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 1 through 12, depending on the camp selected

When:ĢżJune 4-8, 18-20, 23-24, 25

Where: CFE Arena and UCF basketball practice courts

Last Days to Apply:ĢżJune 3, 17, 22, 24

ĢżLearn about the four phases of baseball: hitting, pitching, catching and fielding from UCFā€™s Head Baseball Coach and his staff.

Age Group:ĢżĢżGrades K through 8

When:June18-21, 25-28, 9-12, 16-19

Where: UCF baseball complex

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 2, 28, 12, 19

Develop your talent with UCFā€™s Head Baseball Coach and his staff while preparing to play baseball at the collegiate or professional level. This camp is designed for the serious baseball player.

When:ĢżJuly 28, Aug. 25-26

Where: UCF baseball complex

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJuly 28, Aug. 26

JoshĢżHeupel Football Camps: Sign up for daily sessions for the chance to train under UCF head football coach Josh Heupel and his staff. A three-day team camp is also available.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 1 through 12, depending on the camp selected

When:ĢżJune 2, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 20-22

Where: UCF football facilities

Learn about the coaching philosophy and training environment of a top-level Division 1 program. Based on age, players can sign up for either the Elite Residential Camp, Youth Day Camp or College ID Camp.

Age Group:ĢżAges 4-12, 10-14 and 14-21, depending on the camp selected

When:ĢżMay 31-June 3, June 4-8, July 12-15

Where: UCF campus

Last Day to Apply:ĢżRegistration closes once capacity is reached.

UCF Knights Boys Soccer Camp: Join the UCF coaching staff and players for a fun-filled learning experience on the campus of UCF. Based on age players can sign-up for either the Youth Day Camp & Futsal, Junior Elite Camp or Elite ID 150

Age Groups: Ages 6-12, Ģż11-14 and 15-18, depending on the camp selected.

When: June 11-14, July 8-10, July 20-22

Where: UCF Campus

Last Day to Apply: Registration closes once capacity is reached.

ĢżHone your offensive, pitching, catching and defensive skills.

Age Group:ĢżOpen to all entrants, but geared toward advanced 7th graders through junior college students

When:ĢżJune 11, 12

Where: UCF softball complex

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 1

Join UCF head volleyball coach Todd Dagenais and his staff for the annual summer camp.

Age Group:ĢżAges 10-14 and 15-18, depending on the camp selected

When:ĢżJuly 13-15, 16, 17-18, 21-23, 24-27, 28-29

Where: The Venue at UCF and Lake Claire

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJuly 12, 15, 16, 20, 23, 27

UCF Boys & Girls Tennis Camps: Get personal attention while learning advanced teaching techniques, intensive drill work and game/match play, all in a fun and competitive environment.

Age Group:ĢżAges 7-18

When:ĢżJuly 22-27

Where: United States Tennis Association campus in Lake Nona

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJuly 1

ARTS

Challenge your theatrical abilities with a variety of artistic offerings from Lighting McQueen and Friends to Hamiltonā€™sĢżHip Hop History.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 1 through 10, depending on the camp selected

When:ĢżJuly 16Ā­-20, 23Ā­-27

Where:ĢżUCF Main Campus

UCF Summer Reading Clinic: Develop your reading and writing skills with help from undergraduate education students. The final session includes a parent celebration demonstrating family literacy activities.

Age Group:ĢżGrades K through 6

When:ĢżJune 11-22

Where: UCF main campus

UCF Digital Storytelling Camp: Embark on reading adventures through digital storytelling during a week-long camp.

Age Group:ĢżGrades K through 6

When:ĢżJune 11-15, 18-22

Where: UCF main campus

UCF Rosen College Camp Pineapple:ĢżLearn more about the hospitality and tourism industry by spending time in culinary labs, meeting industry leaders and visiting sites for behind-the-scenes access.

Age Group: Grades 9 through 11

When: June 24-29

Where: UCF Rosen of Hospitality Management College Campus

Last Day to Apply: May 18, registration closes once capacity is reached.

MUSIC

UCF Flute Boot Camp: Develop your flute skills with a three-day intensive program designed to educate and inspire young players.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 6 through 12

When:ĢżJune 8-10

Where: Performing Arts Center ā€“ Music 120M

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

UCF Summer Flute and Piccolo Institute:ĢżLearn more about every aspect of a flute performance through weeklong intensive program aimed at educating and inspiring young flutists through an interesting and cultivating curriculum.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 6 through 12

When:ĢżJune 11-15, 18-22

Where:ĢżUCF Performing Arts Center ā€“ Music 120M and Rehearsal Hall

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

UCF Piano Camp: Improve your musical prowess with private lessons, group practice, sight-reading classes and more.

Age Group:ĢżAges 11 to 18

When:ĢżJune 24-30

Where:ĢżPerforming Arts Center ā€“ Music and Rehearsal Hall

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

UCF Sax Boot Camp:ĢżLearn more about the saxophone during this three-day intensive program designed to educate and inspire young saxophonists.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 6 through 12

When:ĢżJune 8-10

Where:ĢżUCF Performing Arts Center ā€“ Music and Rehearsal Hall

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

UCF Summer Opera Institute:ĢżTake voice lessons, participate in master classes, get private coaching, and study diction, acting, and movement during this intensive 10-day program that culminates with a final concert June 24.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 9 and up

When:ĢżJune 15-24

Where:ĢżPerforming Arts Center ā€“ Music and Rehearsal Hall; Visual Arts Building Auditorium

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 1

UCF Percussion Summer Institute: Study closely with UCF percussion faculty Thad Anderson, Kirk Gay, and Jeff Moore, as well as special guest artists Brian Baldauff and Jonathan Ovalle.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 10 through college

When:ĢżJuly 15-21

Where:ĢżPerforming Arts Center ā€“ Music

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJuly 1, however, enrollment will close once capacity is reached.

STEM

ĢżGain experience with various engineering fields through hands-on activities, presentations and lab tours.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 8 through 11, participants must be at least 13

When:ĢżJune 11-15

Where:ĢżHarris Corporation Engineering Center (HEC) 101 on the UCF Main Campus

Last Day to Apply:ĢżMay 11

Learn beginner and intermediate computer security techniques and preparation for cyber competitios through daily challenges and hands-on labs.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 9 through 12

When:ĢżJuly 23ā€“26

Where:ĢżHarris Corporation Engineering Center on the UCF Main Campus

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 30

EEK! Engineering Education for Kids: Solve real world engineering problems through activities that will excite, inspire and challenge.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 3 through 8

When:ĢżJune 25 – 29

Where:ĢżUCF College of Education and Human Performance

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 20

Explore different branches of sciences while receiving individualized instruction in the following tracks: biology, computer science, competitive programming and physical sciences.

Age Group:ĢżGrades 6 through 12

When:ĢżVarying dates between June 11 and July 27

Where:ĢżHarris Corporation Engineering Center on the UCF Main Campus

Last Day to Apply:ĢżJune 30

The fourth-seeded Knights (22-11) will play at Illinois State Monday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

“We are fortunate to get the win and are excited about moving on,” UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins said after the game. “I was really proud of our guys’ overall play. I thought that was one of our best offensive performances. Usually, we hang our hat on defense, but today, I thought our offense carried us. It could not have been a better timeĢżbecause we needed all the points we scored tonight.”

Dawkins, who in his first season at UCF has matched the program’s most wins in a season in over a decade, has had plenty of success in the NIT as a head coach. The former Stanford head coach was 9-1 in the tournament coming into Wednesday’s contest, winning both the 2012 and 2015 NITs.

After hosting the first NIT game in UCF history, Dawkins improved his mark to 10-1 with the five-point win over the Buffaloes (19-15).

“Tad [Boyle] does a great job with his group,” Dawkins said. Ģż“I have played him and his team enough in the Pac-12 that they always play the right way. They always shoot the ball well. They are always tough defensively. He does a terrific job.”

Colorado scored the first basket of the game, but after a baseline dunk by A.J. Davis gave UCF a 4-3 advantage less than three minutes into the game, the Buffaloes never led again.

Matt Williams led UCF in the first half, scoring 13 of his 17 points in the first 20 minutes.Ģż The senior went 5-of-8 from the floor and a perfect 3-for-3 from long distance to give the Knights a 38-34 lead at the break.

“We were all very excited getting this win,” Williams said. “We’ve worked hard this week trying to prepare for this win. We were just full of excitement, joy. We enjoyed it for the moment and then Coach let us know that we’ll be back in the gym tomorrow for practice.”

Leading 51-44 midway through the second half sophomore connected on one of his five three-pointers on the night and scored 18 straight UCF points to keep the Knights in front late in the game.

Colorado did not quit.Ģż The Buffaloes hit four threes in the final two minutes of the game to get as close as two points, at 76-74, before Davis sealed it with free throws in the final seconds.

Taylor scored 21 of his team-high 26 points in the second half to lead the Knights to victory. He went 5-of-8 from beyond the arc and dealt out four assists.

“It would be great for us,” Taylor said on making a long postseason run. “There’s only going to be a handful of teams that finish this season with a win. We’ve got a chance to finish this season off with a championship. We definitely want to send the seniors out the right way.”

The Knights are one step closer to that goal after putting forth one of its best offensive performance of the season.Ģż UCF shot 54.3 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from beyond the arc, while only turning the ball over 10 times.

Williams and Davis finished with 17 points each, while Tacko Fall added 10. Davis and Fall led UCF with eight rebounds apiece, and Fall added three blocked shots to his single-season UCF record (84).

“It was A.J.’s birthday so that says it all,” Dawkins said. “What a day. A.J. saved one of his best games of the season for postseason. He had a great game today, not because of the points he scored. I thought that it was his best all-around game. He is always getting you the energy defensively. He makes plays. He rebounds the basketball. He did so many things.”

The victory marked just the second win for UCF over a team currently in the Pac-12.Ģż The Knights defeated Utah in 2006.

“It was so special to walk off the court seeing fans rush the floor,” Dawkins said. “It was a wonderful experience. And that’s what we want to see. We have always said we’re not going to get anything special done without all of us being committed. That’s our student body, our community, our players and staff. Tonight, I think it all came together where everyone was engaged. I thought the students were great. I thought our fans were amazing. It was electric in there again tonight.”

Coming in winners of three in a row, including back-to-back triumphs on the road, the Knights returned to Orlando hungry to finish out the regular season home schedule on a high note.Ģż The Bearcats, at 25-3 and 14-1 in The American, having won 18 of their last 19 games and goals of winning the league’s regular-season title with just three games to go, undoubtedly had the same mindset.

After 40 minutes of nearly perfect defense in the half-court, the advantage went to the Knights.Ģż The nation’s leader in field goal percentage defense at 36.3 percent, UCF was even better on Sunday.

The Knights held a Cincinnati team that came in shooting 47 percent from the field and averaging 76.2 points per game to just 29.6 percent from the floor and 49 points.Ģż It marked the fifth time this season the Knights have held their opponent under 50 points.

“I give our kids a lot of credit,” Dawkins said. “For 40 minutes, to battle in that type of game, under that type of pressure defensively, is to be commended. I’m proud of our guys. It gives us an opportunity to keep on competing and that’s what we want to do.”

Offensively, it was the B.J. Taylor show. The sophomore was the only Knight in double figures, scoring a season-high 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the floor.

“Everybody was obviously excited about the win,” Taylor said. “We worked really hard this week to get prepared for this game. We knew it was going to be a dog fight and we were just determined to get the win.”

The biggest moment from the Orlando native came when the Knights led just 48-46 in the final minute of play.Ģż Taylor stepped up as he did all day long, stepping back for a fall away three-pointer on the wing to give the Knights a 51-46 lead with 33 seconds on the clock.

“I wanted him to stay aggressive, but I also wanted him to keep it moving,” Dawkins said of Taylor. “Tonight we called his number. He’s always stepped up and that’s what really good guards do.”

After a three by Cincinnati cut the UCF lead back to just two points, the Bearcats were forced to foul.Ģż As percentages would urge you to, Cincinnati fouled Tacko Fall, who came into Sunday shooting just 47.1 percent from the free throw line.

The 7-foot-6 big man stepped to the line with two seconds on the clock and hit both from the stripe to put the game away.

“I work on those free throws every day regardless of the situation,” Fall said. “It’s the same shot I take every day on the same court. It was just a routine shot. I just tried to make those shots and win the game.”

The Bearcats’ final heave was off the mark and the court storming ensued.Ģż The Knights improved to 19-10 overall and 10-7 in American Athletic Conference play, and UCF is now in sole possession of fourth place in the league standings.

The win marked just the fourth ever victory for UCF over a ranked opponent and the first since the Knights defeated No. 4 UConn in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament on Nov. 25, 2011.Ģż It was the second win over a ranked opponent at home and the first at CFE Arena.

Taylor led the Knights with 27 points, while Fall and A.J. Davis added seven each.Ģż Nick Banyard led UCF with 10 rebounds, his third straight game with double-digit boards.Ģż Fall, dominant defensively all day, added four blocks and is now just one shy of tying and two away from breaking the UCF single-season record.

NEXT UP
UCF will finish out regular season play on Thursday.Ģż The Knights take on South Florida in the War On I-4 Rivalry Series at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

Those words from UCF Director of Player Development Ricardo Greer with just under three minutes to play in Wednesday nightā€™s 71-41 rout of Bethune-Cookman may have been the most memorable in the life of Knights junior Anthony Catotti.

A student manager with the UCF menā€™s basketball team since his freshman year, Catotti was added to the roster and began suiting up with the Knightsā€™ for their third game of the season, a 60-40 win over Charleston, back on Nov. 18.

Because of a number of transfer players sitting out, and a couple of injuries early in the season, UCF is working with a depleted bench. With that in mind, UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins made the decision to give Catotti the opportunity to be on the team.

ā€œIt was the greatest moment of my life until last night,ā€ Catotti said of finding out he was going to be a member of the team. ā€œThereā€™s never been anyone more proud to put on the UCF uniform than I was that first game. Every time I put it on, itā€™s everything.ā€

Still, through nine games putting on that jersey, Catotti had yet to go through an entire warm-up with the team, let alone get into the game.

On Wednesday night he participated in warm-ups with his teammates. And with less than three minutes to play and the game out of reach, he overheard Dawkins tell his assistant coaches, ā€œwith two minutes left, I want Anthony to go in the game.ā€

It was still a surreal moment for Catotti.Ģż Not until Greer told him to untuck his jersey did he realize what was happening.

The crowd and his teammates on the bench roared when he first stepped on the court, but Catotti didnā€™t want it to end there.Ģż More than ever before, the student manger-turned-walk-on took the words so often uttered by his coach, and put them to good use.

ā€œItā€™s not about how many minutes you play, itā€™s about what you do with your minutes,ā€ Dawkins said again last night in the post-game press conference.

ĢżHe brought energy. He was in the right places at the right times.Ģż And yes, when his opportunity to take a shot came with 55 seconds remaining, he took advantage.Ģż His layup off of a pass from Nathan Laing went straight through the hoop and an even bigger cheer erupted.

ā€œIt was all instinct,ā€ Catotti said. ā€œI donā€™t remember much of it. I donā€™t remember the catch and I donā€™t remember jumping. I just remember being in the air and thinking to myself ā€˜make this layup.ā€™ā€

After the final buzzer sounded, Catottiā€™s teammates charged at him, creating a pile worthy of a national championship victory.

ā€œThat felt incredible. Unlike anything else,ā€ Catotti said. ā€œThe greatest feeling ever was seeing those guys all lineup as the clock was ticking down and storm the court. All of the sudden the team is rushing at me. I stagger back with the force of a stampede. To have those guys be as happy for me as I am every single day to be a part of this team.Ģż It was an incredible feeling and something Iā€™ll cherish my entire life.ā€

ā€œI was so happy for him,ā€ Dawkins said following the game. ā€œI know he had a lot people here for him. It was fun to see. The basket was one thing, but just the energy he played with down the stretch, he came in and he tried to make an impact. He made that impact through effort.ā€

Hard work leading to success is nothing new for Catotti, an Oviedo native.Ģż A National Merit Scholar out of Seminole High School, he had planned on attending Duke or an Ivy League institution, but when offered a full academic scholarship to attend UCF, he couldnā€™t say no.

Since arriving on campus two and a half years ago, Catotti canā€™t imagine being anywhere else.

ā€œI never imagined going to UCF before my senior year of high school, but since I got to campus Iā€™ve fallen in love with this school.ā€

Now in his third year at UCF, Catotti is a double major in business management and sport and exercise science with a minor in coaching.Ģż And yes, he also holds a 4.0 GPA.

His work ethic has transferred to the basketball court as well. Having only started playing basketball on the junior varsity team at Seminole as a sophomore in high school, Catotti fell in love with the game later than most.Ģż But his love has only grown over the past five years, and his desire to be a part of the UCF family grows with it.

ā€œSince I started playing I dreamed about playing college basketball,ā€ Catotti said. ā€œI went in with the goal of playing for the team. This year, with a new coach, a new hope, I made it my life to train and make the basketball team.

ā€œUnfortunately, I was cut at tryouts during the off-season. But that didnā€™t stop me.Ģż Just before we went to the Charleston tournament, Coach Greer and [Director of Basketball Operations] Jimmy Drew told me they were considering adding me to the roster. That was everything.ā€

At least that was everything until Wednesday night happened.

Social media blew up with his story and he was on multiple airings of ESPNā€™s SportsCenter.

ā€œItā€™s insane,ā€ Catotti said of his SportsCenter appearance. ā€œI got a call from my high school coach, who was watching TV and saw me on SportsCenter. He said congrats and I hadnā€™t even seen it yet.ā€

At the end of what may have been the best day of his life, Catotti, a true teammate, brought everything back to his fellow Knights, his family.ā€

ā€œIā€™m just so happy that weā€™re getting recognition. These guys deserve it. Itā€™s about how united this team is, how together we are, and how ready we are for conference play.ā€

Catotti and the Knights begin American Athletic Conference action Dec. 28 at Tulane. If the comraderie on display Wednesday night is any indication of things to come, UCF may be in store for more memorable moments like this.