ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Following a first round victory over Colorado in the National Invitation Tournament Wednesday at CFE Arena, the UCF men's basketball team continues postseason play with a second round matchup at Illinois State Monday night in Normal, Ill.
Tip-off between the fourth seeded Knights and the top seeded Redbirds is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT with coverage on ESPN and FM 96.9 The Game. The winner of Monday's contest will advance to the NIT Quarterfinals to take on either Illinois or Boise State.
The Knights had never won a game in the NIT or NCAA Tournament prior to Wednesday's 79-74 victory over Colorado, but for Head Coach Johnny Dawkins the aftermath of the win has been business as usual.
"Let's get better every time we step on the floor to play," Dawkins said of the team's mindset at practices this week. "Let's go out there and represent our community, represent Orlando, represent UCF. That's what we've done all season long and we're not going to try and change that formula."
UCF (22-11) has matched its most wins in a season since 2005 and following Monday's contest against Illinois State, will have played more games than any other season in program history. The Knights played 33 times in 2004-05 and 2011-12.
In Illinois State (28-6) the Knights take on a team that many thought had an argument to be in this year's NCAA Tournament. The Redbirds went 17-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference, splitting the regular season series with Wichita State, before falling to the Shockers in the league championship game.
"They wouldn't be in the position they're in if they hadn't had a terrific year," Dawkins said. "They've won a lot of games, especially in that arena, for a reason. They play well together, they know how to win, and that's why they've had success."
It is also the former home of UCF senior forward Nick Banyard. The grad transfer spent the last two seasons with the Redbirds program, averaging 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 32 games with Illinois State.
"It's a great opportunity to go back to his alma mater," Dawkins said. "Having a chance to get back in that arena will be a unique experience. I'm excited for him to have the opportunity to go back and play there."
Banyard has been an integral part of the Knights' success this season, scoring 6.4 points and grabbing 6.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.4 percent from three-point range. The forward has started19 games in his first season in Orlando.
"I'm definitely excited to play on that court again," Banyard said. "I did think about it and dream about it before the season, but I didn't think it would happen. Now it's here, so I'm happy about it."
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