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The UCF Knights will not start the 2018-19 men’s basketball season ranked in the AP Top 25, but they are receiving votes - 15 to be exact.
Others receiving votes: Loyola of Chicago 162, Marquette 124, Indiana 98, Florida 71, Nebraska 35, Maryland 28, Wisconsin 24, Notre Dame 22, Cincinnati 21, UCF 15, Alabama 15, Arizona 14, Buffalo 14, Louisville 11, Miami 10, ...
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) October 22, 2018
It’s the most preseason votes UCF has ever received in the AP Top 25.
The Cincinnati Bearcats led the way among American Athletic Conference teams with 21 votes received. No teams from The American were ranked.
The most @AP_Top25 preseason votes we've ever received.
— UCF Men's Basketball (@UCF_MBB) October 22, 2018
Time to start climbing ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/lYCX7Inbxr
UCF’s AP Top 25 History
UCF Basketball has only ever been ranked once in its history, back in the 2010-2011 season, Donnie Jones’ first as head coach, when UCF started 14-0. They broke into the Top 25 that year at 10-0 following victories over then-#18 Florida and Miami, and peaked at #19 at the start of conference play. The Knights then went on an 8-game skid, and finished 21-12 overall, 6-10 in Conference USA, and bowed out of the CUSA Tournament in the first round.
The Knights won their first two games in the CBI Tournament that year before losing at Creighton in the semifinals.
Tht season’s results were later vacated due to NCAA sanctions.
The Knights begin this season with an exhibition against Flagler College Monday, October 29th. The regular season opens at home against Rider University on Tuesdaym November 6th.