UCF Men's Basketball Earns NCAA Tournament Bid

Knights to face UCLA in first round after earning No. 10 seed

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:51am

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The University of Central Florida men's basketball team has earned a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed. They will face off against No. 7 seed UCLA in the first round on Friday in Philadelphia. Shortly after the bracket was revealed, head coach Johnny Dawkins and players Themus Fulks and Jordan Burks met with the media to discuss the accomplishment.

Why it matters

This marks UCF's return to the NCAA Tournament after a several-year absence, showcasing the program's continued growth under Coach Dawkins. The Knights will look to pull off an upset against a tough UCLA squad and advance in the tournament.

The details

UCF earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after posting a strong regular season record in the American Athletic Conference. The Knights will face a tough challenge in the first round against a veteran UCLA team, but are confident they can compete with the Bruins.

  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed on March 16, 2026.
  • UCF and UCLA will face off in the first round on Friday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Johnny Dawkins

The head coach of the UCF men's basketball team, guiding the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in several years.

Themus Fulks

A key player for the UCF Knights, contributing to the team's success this season.

Jordan Burks

Another important player for UCF, helping lead the team to the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to be back in the NCAA Tournament and have the opportunity to compete against a great program like UCLA. Our team has worked hard all season to get to this point, and we're ready for the challenge ahead.”

— Johnny Dawkins, Head Coach, UCF Men's Basketball (on3.com)

“This is what we've been working towards all year. We're grateful for the chance to represent UCF on the national stage and show what our team is capable of.”

— Themus Fulks, Player, UCF Men's Basketball (on3.com)

What’s next

UCF and UCLA will face off in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 21, 2026 in Philadelphia. The winner of that game will advance to the second round.

The takeaway

UCF's return to the NCAA Tournament is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff. The Knights have an opportunity to make a deep run in the tournament and showcase the program's growth on a national stage.