Orlando: UCF basketball had a golden chance to make a statement recently. They were just 1.1 seconds away from a big win over No. 7 Houston. A layup by J’Wan Roberts ended that dream, leaving the crowd of 9,000 in shock.
Now, they have to shake it off and focus on their next game against No. 3 Iowa State. Coach Johnny Dawkins is urging the team to regroup and keep pushing forward. There are still plenty of games left in the season, and they need to stay positive.
UCF, with a record of 12-5 and 3-3 in the Big 12, is in a tough stretch of games. They’ve got Iowa State, TCU, and Kansas coming up, all ranked in the top 10. A win against Houston would have been huge, giving them a solid Quad 1 win, but they need to keep their heads up.
Jordan Ivy-Curry, a key player for UCF, emphasizes the importance of a “next play” mentality. He knows they didn’t get the job done against Houston, but he believes they can bounce back. The team is still strong, and they need to focus on the positives.
Iowa State, on the other hand, just had their first loss in a while, falling to West Virginia. They’re a high-scoring team, leading the Big 12 with an average of 83.8 points per game. UCF will have to step up their game, especially since they’ve struggled with shooting.
Despite recent losses, Dawkins sees growth in his team. With 11 new players this season, they’re starting to bond and improve. Moustapha Thiam had a standout game against Houston, and Keyshawn Hall, despite a rough outing, is still leading the team in scoring.
The Knights are ready to take on Iowa State tonight at 8 p.m. in Ames, Iowa. It’s a big opportunity for them to show what they’re made of.
