Did UCF basketball make the grade? Final report card after season ends

PHILADELPHIA — Little was expected of UCF's basketball team entering the 2025-26 season, and the logic behind the skepticism seemed sound enough. Virtually all of the Knights' production from the previous campaign needed replacement. Four-year starting point guard Darius Johnson graduated, and important projected returners like Keyshawn Hall (Auburn) and Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati) hit the transfer portal instead. Head coach Johnny Dawkins had taken the Knights to the NCAA Men's Tournament just once in his first nine years in charge, and the upcoming final year on his contract had no guarantees. Yet, by summertime, Dawkins believed his group possessed more talent and grit than given credit...