The line between being a hero or a goat in college basketball can be razor-thin. Just ask Keyshawn Hall, a forward for the University of Central Florida (UCF). In one dramatic moment, Hall found himself on the sideline, stunned, as he was called for a 5-second violation on a crucial inbounds play, giving Colorado a chance to win the game. But in an instant, Hall's fortunes turned. Four seconds later, he made a game-winning play by blocking a shot from Colorado’s center, Elijah Moore, securing a 75-74 victory for the Knights.
Coach Johnny Dawkins didn’t hold back in his praise for Hall, calling him “a winner.” The coach emphasized that despite the initial mistake, Hall quickly recovered and focused on the next play instead of dwelling on the error. "This game favors guys who can quickly move on to the next thing," Dawkins said, and Hall certainly embodied that mindset. The win was a testament to UCF's resilience and ability to bounce back from tough situations—a theme that has defined their season so far.
The win against Colorado came just days after UCF suffered a brutal 51-point loss to Kansas, which could have been a major setback for the team. Yet, instead of letting the crushing defeat linger, UCF found a way to regain their focus. The Knights entered the game against Colorado struggling to find their rhythm, unable to execute their offense effectively for much of the first 30 minutes. Their shooting was off, and they allowed Colorado to shoot 50% in the first half, which gave the Buffaloes a slim 37-34 lead at halftime.
As the second half began, things didn’t look much better for UCF. Colorado capitalized on the Knights’ struggles, knocking down seven of their first eight shots, pushing their lead to 10 points with just under 14 minutes left. Coach Dawkins acknowledged that his team was still feeling the effects of the Kansas game, but he remained hopeful that they could shift gears. “We talk about moving on to the next play, but I’m not sure we had completely moved on from that game,” he admitted.
What followed next was nothing short of inspiring. UCF, known for their defense this season, began to turn the tide. They had been shooting poorly, with their field goal percentage hovering at a dismal 42%, the worst in the Big 12. Against Colorado, they started by missing their first 10 shots. But then, the defense sparked a turnaround. UCF forced 22 turnovers, converting them into 24 points. That defensive effort, particularly down the stretch, was what ultimately gave them the edge in this nail-biting contest.
The Knights' defense was ferocious when it mattered most, holding Colorado scoreless for the final three minutes of the game. What makes this even more impressive is the fact that UCF didn’t score a field goal in the final 5:15 of play. It was a true test of grit, and UCF passed with flying colors. “The one thing I don’t ever want to see is us get outworked,” Dawkins said, emphasizing the team's determination. “In the second half, when we were down, you saw guys starting to fly around. They had a sense of urgency and that’s what you’ve got to have.”
Moustapha Thiam, the Knights’ center, played a pivotal role in that defensive push. With three blocks in the game, he helped anchor the defense and keep Colorado from making any significant plays down the stretch. “We just stepped it up and played defense, guarding without fouling, and then the guards did a better job pressing the ball up court,” Thiam said. His statement reflects the team’s collective effort to dig deep when the stakes were highest.
This victory over Colorado was crucial for UCF, as they head into a tough stretch of games. They now embark on a five-day road trip out West, facing Arizona on Saturday and Arizona State on Tuesday. These games are vital for the Knights, not only for their confidence but for their NCAA Tournament hopes. Following this road trip, UCF has a home game against No. 12 Houston on January 18, followed by road games at No. 3 Iowa State and No. 11 Kansas later in the month. This brutal stretch could significantly impact UCF’s postseason aspirations, especially since these teams are ranked in Quadrant 1 of the NCAA NET rankings.
UCF’s resume already includes two key Quadrant 1 victories, having defeated Texas A&M and Texas Tech earlier in the season. But with the Wildcats of Arizona coming up, and the looming challenges of facing top-tier teams like Houston, Iowa State, and Kansas, every win will count toward their tournament chances. Arizona, despite a tough loss to No. 24 UCLA in mid-December, has won five straight games, including big wins over No. 16 Cincinnati and No. 21 West Virginia. Preseason predictions had Arizona finishing fifth in their first season in the Big 12, behind powerhouse teams like Kansas, Houston, Iowa State, and Baylor.
Preparing for this upcoming road trip is no small feat. Dawkins and the team know they need to stay focused and stick to their routine. "We want to keep our same routine,” Dawkins said, reflecting on the lessons learned from last season, UCF’s first in the Big 12. The team’s structure and discipline will be key to maintaining their energy and focus on the road. “We’ve got to make sure we tighten up a few things, but by and large, you’ve just got to be ready to compete,” Dawkins continued, underscoring the importance of consistency.
Guard Jordan Ivy-Curry echoed his coach's sentiments, stressing the need to stay engaged and take care of their bodies. "We need to stay engaged, take care of our bodies and be locked in,” he said, emphasizing the mental and physical demands of the road trip. With such a challenging schedule ahead, UCF’s players will need to dig deep and give their best performances.
A key concern heading into this stretch is the health of guard Jaylin Sellers. Sellers, who missed the game against Colorado, has been sidelined for much of the season with a lower-body injury. Dawkins noted that Sellers' status for the upcoming games is still uncertain. “We’re back to the situation where it’s wait and see, day to day with where he is,” Dawkins said. Sellers has only recently returned to the lineup, appearing in just three games, including his first start against Kansas. He has averaged 6 points per game but could be a valuable asset for the Knights if he regains full health.
As UCF heads into this crucial period, their ability to adapt and stay focused will be put to the test. With tough opponents on the horizon, the Knights will need to build on the lessons from their hard-fought win over Colorado. The key will be maintaining their defensive intensity, staying mentally sharp, and continuing to move on to the next play—even when things don’t go as planned. This resilience and determination could be the difference between a strong postseason run and falling short of their goals.
Login