After a stellar 2024-2025 campaign, UCF basketball is looking to cement itself as a contending program in the deep and talented Big 12 Conference.
But, before the team can think about conference opponents, the Knights will play 14 games out-of-conference.
On Monday, the program announced the full non-conference schedule, starting off with Florida Gulf Coast on Monday, Nov. 2.
This is the second-straight season the Knights have faced off with their in-state rivals, beating the Eagles 102-80 last season.
Jordan Burks and Themus Fulks combined for 44 points against the Eagles in the win, with the Knights' bench unit adding another 40 points.
This game will also be a homecoming of sorts for transfer forward Isaiah Malone, who spent last season at FGCU.
Following this opening bout, the Knights will host Yale, South Alabama, Georgia Southern, and Mississippi State before hitting the road for the first time.
The Knights are 1-0 all-time against the Bulldogs, having knocked them off 86-61 back in 2016.
UCF legend Tacko Fall made 13 of his 17 shot attempts, pouring in 26 points.
Following this SEC matchup, UCF will remain in the conference, traveling to play Vanderbilt.
Last season, the Commodores were one of the most dynamic offensive units in the country, finishing the season ranked No. 19 in the nation.
In the two teams' meeting last year, Vandy got the best of UCF, knocking off the Knights 105-93 in a high-scoring affair.
UCF is then set to play in the ESPN Events Invitational, taking on Boston College and Georgia in a two-game series.
Three-Star combo guard Donovan Williams Jr. was initially the lone signee for the incoming 2026 UCF recruiting class, but announced his decision to flip to Georgia back in May.
While it remains to be seen if Williams will see playing time as a freshman, it will be a statement game for him to go against his old commitment.
Following the invitational, UCF returns home for an easier two-game homestand against Jacksonville and American University.
The Knights will likely be coming off of two victories before hitting the road to take on Indiana in legendary Assembly Hall Arena.
It will mark the first matchup between the two programs and projects as one of UCF's toughest tests early in the year.
UCF then returns home against Florida International before finishing the road non-conference slate against Virginia Tech in Fort Lauderdale.
The final game of the schedule is back at Addition Financial against Towson, matching up with the Tigers for the second-straight year.
Fulks shined in the Knights' 86-61 win, scoring 20 points and adding eight assists.
UCF's non-conference schedule is a bit tougher than last season, but the Knights do have the advantage of most matchups being played in the state of Florida.
With another strong showing in non-conference, the Knights could be positioned for another postseason push.
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