NEW YORK (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF men's basketball team is set to take on TCU in an NIT semifinal contest tonight at 9 p.m. in Madison Square Garden. As the Knights prepare for their fourth NIT game of the tournament, check out the four things to know heading into the matchup.
1. The official ChargeOn Pregame Party is in New York City, but watch parties are happening all over the country.
The official ChargeOn Pregame Party, hosted by the New York UCF Alumni Chapter, has reached full capacity. Carragher's Pub will host 500 Knights from 6-8 p.m. tonight. Those who have already registered should have received a confirmation email. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the UCF Alumni office at knights@ucfalumni.com or 407.823.6341. For Knight fans not in New York, a watch party will be held in CFE Arena on Tuesday night. Doors will open for the free event at 8:30 p.m. with a DJ playing from 8:30-9 p.m. Popcorn and rally towels given to the first 250 students in attendance. There are also 13 watch parties currently scheduled across the country. Click here to find the up-to-date list of watch parties.
2. Coach Dawkins has a 14-1 all-time head coaching record in the NIT.
UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins has plenty of experience coaching in the NIT, having made three appearances as the head coach at Stanford. His Cardinal won the NIT in both 2012 and 2015. Coach Dawkins now holds an all-time NIT head coaching record of 14-1 after this year's UCF wins over Colorado, Illinois State and Illinois.
3. The Knights make the program's fifth trip to New York and the first since 2003.
UCF has played a total of four games in the state of New York in its all-time history, with just two occurring in the team's Division I era. The Knights won at Niagara in 2003 and lost at Marist in 2001. UCF's only experience playing in New York City was a 103-83 win over Maritime College in Throggs Neck back in 1970. Tonight, UCF will make its Madison Square Garden debut. Known as the Mecca of Basketball, The Garden is home to the New York Knicks. Antonio Davis, father of current Knight A.J. Davis, played for the Knicks for one season in 2005-06.
4. A win Tuesday would tie UCF's Division I era record for wins in a season.
UCF's 24 wins this season are the program's second most in its Division I era history. A win on Tuesday would tie the program's Division I record, set in 2003-04 when the Knights won their third of four Atlantic Sun Championships. Two wins and an NIT title would match the program's all-time record in any era. UCF won 26 games back in 1977-78 under head coach Torchy Clark.
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