NBA

UCF Knights Unveil Inaugural Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Schedules

By: Justice Nwafor

Published: September 26, 2023 at 3:48 pm EST

The UCF Knights, previously associated with the American Athletic Conference, have officially announced their first men’s and women’s basketball schedules for the 2023-24 season in the Big 12. This significant move marks a new chapter in the university’s sports history, bringing new challenges and opportunities for both teams.

Men’s Team Takes on National Champions

Under the guidance of head coach Johnny Dawkins, the men’s team is set for an exciting season. Their home conference games will kick off against the 2022 National Champion Kansas on January 10, 2024. The team’s schedule also includes matches against the 2021 National Champion Baylor, and first-time visits to several high-profile universities including Kansas, BYU, Texas, Baylor, Iowa State, and Texas Tech.

Dawkins expressed his enthusiasm about competing against these top-tier teams, seeing it as an opportunity to enhance UCF’s brand and reach new heights in the Big 12. The selection of opponents took into consideration geography, historical results, and a poll of coaches to ensure a balance of travel and competitive play.

Most of the games will be accessible to fans via Big 12 Now on ESPN+, with a few games broadcasted on ESPN2 or ESPNU. The much-anticipated 2024 Big 12 Conference Championship is scheduled for March 12-16.

Women’s Team to Begin Conference Play at Oklahoma

The women’s team will commence their conference play at Oklahoma on December 30, 2023, and will host the first Big 12 match at home on January 3, 2024, against Oklahoma State. This season marks the second for head coach Sytia Messer, whose team finished 14-15 in the previous season.

Similar to the men’s team, the women’s team will also host first-time opponents, including Kansas State and Texas. The Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship is scheduled for March 7-12, 2024. The exact times for the games and TV channels for broadcast will be announced at a later date.

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Justice Nwafor

Justice Nwarfor stands at the forefront of international journalism, with a specific focus on pressing environmental, climate, and health issues in West Africa. Renowned for spotlighting stories that often go unnoticed, Justice utilizes data-driven methodologies in his reports and is currently harnessing Python programming to elevate his investigative capabilities. Prior to his tenure at BNN, Justice spearheaded coverage at the Nigerian Tribune. His deep-rooted expeditions to far-flung communities have equipped him with a unique perspective, allowing him to echo the narratives of those often overshadowed in mainstream news. Justice's dedicated coverage not only shines a light on the struggles of indigenous populations contending with environmental challenges, but he also fearlessly uncovers the stark truths of criminal networks, illicit logging, and the devastating aftermath of unchecked mining activities.