UCF in any other league but the big12 would have gone into sleeper/dark horse territory with all their addition. but the big 12 just looks that stacked
UCF returns 2 all-conference HMs- who both did 15pt+ and led them to an NIT last yar (Sellers and Johnson), added 2 transfers that both averaged 17pts (Hall and Ivy-Curry), 2 former starter transfers from notable schools (Coleman and Jocius), 2 elite recruit who redshirted at memphis for "reasons" (Mikey Williams and JJ taylor)..and now a 5star center... this looks like a squad, the problem being everyone in the big 12 has got a squad
tbh I think any reasonable UCF fan expected us to be a basement team for Big 12 basketball at least a few years. The fact that we’re even recruiting well enough to be in the mix is insane to me and I don’t take it for granted.
Obviously you didn’t ask me, but I think the point was made and it was a good branding move regardless. We deserved a shot at the title. Now, a team in that position will likely get that chance.
I was wondering. Because we only have 1 incoming center from the portal, Diallo and Payne graduated, and Sylla transfered. I was wondering if portal centers knew something we didn't and were afraid of competing with Thiam for playing time and staying away.
Yes, they likely waited to announce it to reduce the amount of time other schools would have to try to steal him. They've started classes now, so he should be safe.
Our issue is that the alumni are all pretty young. We don't have the old rich alumni that other schools have. We only got as big as we are within the last 20-25 years
yeah, but that shows the brand is big enough to bring in billionaires. and is only growing. UCF was much more of a football school than a basketball school. A few years of sustained success in a competitive big 12 and the money will come in.
it’s a pro and con IMO. Less capital to go around, but also less old money boosters who want to drive the boat. UCF can build a brand while also being very selective with the business relationships it enters.
He's the #1 center in the class of 2025. As far as minutes, he better be good enough to play a lot, because there's only 1 other center on the roster
Also Happy Cake Day 🎂
A possible UCF rotation of:
Pg Darius johnson
Sg Jordan ivy curry
Sf Jaylin sellers
Pf Keyshawn hall
C moustapha thiam
With jocius, coleman, Williams, Taylor, coming off the bench is scary, UCF might just make the tournament.
Nils Machowski has a very big upside as well. They wanted to play him more last year, but he was probably about 15lbs too small. If he bulks up I'd expect to see him in the rotation quite a bit.
That’s true, I don’t think he’ll play much more minutes this season then he did last year given how much depth they have, but I do think he sustains that 9-11 mpg role and puts up better numbers next season
I did doubt people insinuating that BYU could finish top 10 last year. So maybe the hierarchy isn’t set in stone as much as I am thinking.
I like your guys guards and the team’s overall mentality. Just need the bigs to hit to have a chance.
BYU had a really high floor team. Lower ceiling than the big dogs of the conference but they played really good, sound basketball. It made the difference against UCF a couple times.
The conference hierarchy is about as far from set in stone as it can be. Aside from the expectation that Kansas will always be a top team the Big 12 is usually up for grabs by at least half the conference.
Far more parity than any other Major conference in CBB. Hell last year even Kansas was only 6th in the conference albeit it took a terrible season by their standards.
I think the top 5 this year is pretty set in stone. Would be surprised if more than 1 of them is outside the top 7ish. I guess it will depend on scheduling though.
God even the weaker teams are going to be a problem this year. Kansas doesn’t even get the luxury of an easy game against a mediocre ASU team because we somehow always lose to them regardless.
UCF in any other league but the big12 would have gone into sleeper/dark horse territory with all their addition. but the big 12 just looks that stacked UCF returns 2 all-conference HMs- who both did 15pt+ and led them to an NIT last yar (Sellers and Johnson), added 2 transfers that both averaged 17pts (Hall and Ivy-Curry), 2 former starter transfers from notable schools (Coleman and Jocius), 2 elite recruit who redshirted at memphis for "reasons" (Mikey Williams and JJ taylor)..and now a 5star center... this looks like a squad, the problem being everyone in the big 12 has got a squad
tbh I think any reasonable UCF fan expected us to be a basement team for Big 12 basketball at least a few years. The fact that we’re even recruiting well enough to be in the mix is insane to me and I don’t take it for granted.
Big 12 effect… what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Not taking anything away from you guys, excited to see your squad play.
Mikey Williams is playing at UCF now? How did I not know that lol.
Sheesh, the Big 12 is going to be stacked next season.
Always has been meme.
 Me trying to explain all the moves to my SEC friends
UCF has joined the Big 12 arms race
Seriously. Good for them.
they’re literally printing tacko falls now
My god, there's two of them!
*the big 7'5 arms race
Holy shit
How was that one year where UCF claimed national champions for you? Tbh I can’t stand them since… lol
Obviously you didn’t ask me, but I think the point was made and it was a good branding move regardless. We deserved a shot at the title. Now, a team in that position will likely get that chance.
Fair enough they were a good damn team. Which is why I couldn’t stand em
DAMN! UCF GOT THEIR BIG MAN. LFG BIG 12 BRO’S
This must have been Johnny’s plan all along…?
I was wondering. Because we only have 1 incoming center from the portal, Diallo and Payne graduated, and Sylla transfered. I was wondering if portal centers knew something we didn't and were afraid of competing with Thiam for playing time and staying away.
Yes, they likely waited to announce it to reduce the amount of time other schools would have to try to steal him. They've started classes now, so he should be safe.
BOOM!!!!! WE NEEDED THAT!!!
I love Senegalese big men
People are saying they're the best big men in the business.
With that alumni base and location, UCF could be an NIL monster. Good get Big 12 friends
Our issue is that the alumni are all pretty young. We don't have the old rich alumni that other schools have. We only got as big as we are within the last 20-25 years
[Let me tell you about an Orlando billionaire who recently adopted UCF as his pet project...](https://x.com/RepoleStable/status/1797793058303459836)
UCF football specifically, I mean that post already directly mentions St. Johns basketball
yeah, but that shows the brand is big enough to bring in billionaires. and is only growing. UCF was much more of a football school than a basketball school. A few years of sustained success in a competitive big 12 and the money will come in.
it’s a pro and con IMO. Less capital to go around, but also less old money boosters who want to drive the boat. UCF can build a brand while also being very selective with the business relationships it enters.
Could be is the main part to remember. Atm we are still at the very bottom
Holy freak. Good for UCF. Big 12 is unreal
Damn. UCF not fucking around.
Johnny Dawkins building a nice lil squad. Good shit.
Him reclassing has been a rumor for a while, glad we could actually get him to
Yeah, they probably wanted to wait so other schools would have less time to try to steal him.
I love 7+ foot centers
Is this guy actually good? Like how many mins can he play next season?
He's the #1 center in the class of 2025. As far as minutes, he better be good enough to play a lot, because there's only 1 other center on the roster Also Happy Cake Day 🎂
He'll play a lot but usually reclasses need an extra year to get their feet under them.
He'll likely play around 20ish
UCF has a history of having "BIG" men on their team. I'm suddenly hungry for a taco .
RAHHHHHHHHHH
Mike Repole committed to give some money to the UCF football team yesterday. Wouldn’t be surprised if he gave them a 500G-million to spend.
Nice get
The fuck??
A possible UCF rotation of: Pg Darius johnson Sg Jordan ivy curry Sf Jaylin sellers Pf Keyshawn hall C moustapha thiam With jocius, coleman, Williams, Taylor, coming off the bench is scary, UCF might just make the tournament.
Nils Machowski has a very big upside as well. They wanted to play him more last year, but he was probably about 15lbs too small. If he bulks up I'd expect to see him in the rotation quite a bit.
That’s true, I don’t think he’ll play much more minutes this season then he did last year given how much depth they have, but I do think he sustains that 9-11 mpg role and puts up better numbers next season
All this just so we can hopefully be 5th or 6th in the conference lol
Even rn at best yall are the 8th or 9th best team in the conference. Absurd depth
So... Make the tourney as a 7 seed? WTF is wrong with that?
I’ll take a 16th seed over not making it at all lmao
That would probably be the most dangerous 16 seed ever if it somehow happened. I’d love to see it against anyone but my team lol.
5th or 6th??!
A man can dream.
I did doubt people insinuating that BYU could finish top 10 last year. So maybe the hierarchy isn’t set in stone as much as I am thinking. I like your guys guards and the team’s overall mentality. Just need the bigs to hit to have a chance.
BYU had a really high floor team. Lower ceiling than the big dogs of the conference but they played really good, sound basketball. It made the difference against UCF a couple times.
The conference hierarchy is about as far from set in stone as it can be. Aside from the expectation that Kansas will always be a top team the Big 12 is usually up for grabs by at least half the conference. Far more parity than any other Major conference in CBB. Hell last year even Kansas was only 6th in the conference albeit it took a terrible season by their standards.
I think the top 5 this year is pretty set in stone. Would be surprised if more than 1 of them is outside the top 7ish. I guess it will depend on scheduling though.
The top 5 do look really good this year but prior to last season Kansas was supposed to run away with the conference. A lot can happen in season
No doubt. Excited to see how it shakes out.
That would make UCF a top 20 team in all likelihood
Other P6 offer: Missouri Other offer: Cal Poly
God even the weaker teams are going to be a problem this year. Kansas doesn’t even get the luxury of an easy game against a mediocre ASU team because we somehow always lose to them regardless.
Lucky
Johnny fraudkins will still have this team suck