Key Strategies UCF Hoops Must Recall Before March Madness

Avery K. Bristow

Published: February 8, 2026 12:50 AM ET

The UCF Knights faced a disappointing defeat against the No. 8 Houston Cougars, losing 79-55. While this was not their largest loss of the season, it highlighted several areas that UCF must address as they approach March Madness.

Key Strategies UCF Hoops Must Recall Before March Madness

1. Improve Ball Security

Ball security has been a critical focus for the Knights. In their matchup against No. 11 Texas Tech, UCF committed minimal turnovers, contributing to an impressive 18-2 scoring advantage from turnovers. However, during the game with Houston, they struggled significantly, surrendering 11 turnovers, which impacted their chances of winning.

Houston’s defense, described as “relentless” by Coach Johnny Dawkins, forced UCF’s mistakes early. The Knights must prioritize controlling the ball to enhance their performance in upcoming games.

2. Tackle Size Disadvantages

UCF’s encounter with Houston was notable for the Knights’ struggles in the paint. This marked just the second occasion this season where they were outscored by double-digits close to the basket. Both the Cougars and No. 9 Iowa State exploited their height advantage, scoring 42 points in the paint against UCF.

With 7’2” center John Bol and his backup out injured, UCF’s effectiveness in countering taller opponents diminished. Creative strategies will be necessary to defend adequately against bigger teams while still finding ways to score effectively.

3. Sharpen Three-Point Shooting

In an effort to counteract Houston’s dominance in the paint, UCF relied heavily on three-point shots. Unfortunately, they recorded one of their lowest shooting percentages of the season, hitting only 28.6%. Despite this being better than Houston’s 15.8%, it was insufficient for a comeback.

While UCF remains one of the top three-point shooting teams in the Big 12, inconsistency may hinder their performance. The Knights will need to adapt their shooting strategy, especially if interior scoring becomes problematic.

Upcoming Challenges

UCF will look to bounce back from this loss when they face the Cincinnati Bearcats on Sunday at 2 p.m. Earlier this season, UCF won a closely contested match against Cincinnati, securing a 73-72 victory at Addition Financial Arena.

As March Madness approaches, the Knights must address these key strategies to ensure they can maximize their potential in the tournament. Regular practice and adjustments will be crucial to their success.