UCF men’s basketball saw their 2023-2024 college basketball season close on Tuesday with a devastating home loss at the hands of South Florida, 83-77, in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at Addition Financial Arena.
Jaylin Sellers dropped a game-high 24 points and Marchelus Avery tallied 19 points. Still, they could not extend their season for another day as Central Florida’s comeback attempt in the second half fell short against South Florida in front of their home crowd.
Spot up 3️⃣ from this guy ???? | @Ballout_chii pic.twitter.com/BVu7iXi2Ep
— UCF Men’s Hoops ???? (@UCF_MBB) March 20, 2024
Despite getting the boot in the second round of the Big 12 tournament, the Knights earned a NIT invitation and a favorable No.4 seed in their side of the bracket.
Unfortunately, Central Florida struck out of luck in the draw as they would be taking on the No.1 regular-season team in the America Athletic Conference in the first round.
The South Florida Bulls finished with the best record in the AAC at 16-2 (25-7 overall) and seemed headed for an NCAA men’s basketball tournament appearance until they absorbed an 83-77 upset loss to UAB in the semifinals of the ACC tournament.
A formidable team on paper, South Florida did not take much time to show their caliber as they raced a 49-35 halftime lead behind the hot-shooting hands of senior guard Selton Miguel and Jose Placer.
The Knights responded with a spirited run in the second half as Sellers, Avery, and Darius Johnson took turns to keep UCF within striking distance.
Referees dished out four technical fouls in the final five minutes as tensions flared in the crucial minutes of the game.
In the end, South Florida fended off UCF’s comeback attempt by making key free-throw shots down the stretch. Miguel finished with a team-high 19 points while Kasean Pryor added 17.
Spot up 3️⃣ from this guy ???? | @Ballout_chii pic.twitter.com/BVu7iXi2Ep
— UCF Men’s Hoops ???? (@UCF_MBB) March 20, 2024
The Bulls will face the winner of the other first-round matchup between Villanova and VCU.
THE CONVERSATION.