UCF Knights Upset Villanova to Reach Championship Game

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The University of Central Florida (UCF) men’s basketball team secured a spot in the finals of the inaugural College Basketball Crown by defeating Villanova in a thrilling semifinal match on Saturday evening at T-Mobile Arena.

Senior guard Darius Johnson spearheaded UCF’s victory with a remarkable performance, scoring a career-high 42 points and contributing 10 points during overtime. Johnson’s standout effort led the Knights to a 104-98 triumph over the Wildcats, propelling them to the championship game slated for Sunday.

“When we got to overtime, I was mostly concerned about how many of my players had four fouls,” Johnson said. “Our focus was on discipline, trying to defend without fouling. We knew whoever emerged from those five minutes would be the winner, and we concentrated on that.”

The win not only advances UCF’s record to 20-16 but also guarantees a six-figure name, image, and likeness (NIL) payout of at least $100,000 from Vivid Seats, the tournament’s corporate partner. If UCF clinches the championship, they will secure an additional $300,000 payout.

UCF outperformed Villanova, shooting 47.6% from the field and making 15 three-pointers during the game. Though they led for over 38 minutes, they faced a fierce comeback from Villanova in the second half.

Villanova made a stringent effort to claw back into the game, particularly through Eric Dixon, who scored 29 points, and Wooga Poplar, who achieved a double-double with 32 points and 11 rebounds. However, their shooting woes from beyond the arc hindered their chances, with Dixon going 1-for-11 from three-point range.

Role players for UCF also made vital contributions, including Jordan Ivy-Curry, who posted 18 points and collected seven rebounds, and Dior Johnson, who scored a career-high 13 points in just his second double-digit game of the season.

The stage is set for UCF as they prepare to face Nebraska in the title game, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, broadcast live on FOX.