The University of Central Florida’s men’s basketball team has advanced to the College Basketball Crown final after knocking down Villanova in the tournament semifinals.The Knights were led by senior guard Darius Johnson, who chose the right time to have the best game of his career. Johnson scored a career-high 42 points, including 10 in overtime, during a wild semifinal of the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament at T-Mobile Arena.Johnson, appearing in his 124th game as a Knight, delivered when it mattered most. He shot 11-of-19 from the field, made three triples, and was extremely efficient (17-of-18) from the free-throw line. The win not only sends UCF (20-16) to the tournament’s title game — it also locks in a six-figure NIL payout of at least $100,000 from Vivid Seats, the event’s corporate partner. If they were to win the championship game, they would earn a $300,000 payout.Besides Johnson, the Knights received some solid contributions from their role players. Jordan Ivy-Curry put up 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 30 minutes. Dior Johnson, who has steadily carved out a role, added a career-high 13 points in just his second double-digit scoring effort of the season.UCF shot 47.6% from the field and led for more than 38 minutes of game time. The Knights also drained 15 threes, combatting a Villanova team known for living and dying by the three themselves.Eric Dixon scored 29 for the Wildcats, but shot just 1-for-11 from beyond the arc. Wooga Poplar had a double-double, posting 32 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome UCF’s pace.Next up: Nebraska. Tip-off for the title game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Sunday on FOX.
The University of Central Florida’s men’s basketball team has advanced to the College Basketball Crown final after knocking down Villanova in the tournament semifinals.
The Knights were led by senior guard Darius Johnson, who chose the right time to have the best game of his career. Johnson scored a career-high 42 points, including 10 in overtime, during a wild semifinal of the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament at T-Mobile Arena.
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Johnson, appearing in his 124th game as a Knight, delivered when it mattered most. He shot 11-of-19 from the field, made three triples, and was extremely efficient (17-of-18) from the free-throw line.
The win not only sends UCF (20-16) to the tournament’s title game — it also locks in a six-figure NIL payout of at least $100,000 from Vivid Seats, the event’s corporate partner. If they were to win the championship game, they would earn a $300,000 payout.
Besides Johnson, the Knights received some solid contributions from their role players. Jordan Ivy-Curry put up 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 30 minutes. Dior Johnson, who has steadily carved out a role, added a career-high 13 points in just his second double-digit scoring effort of the season.
UCF shot 47.6% from the field and led for more than 38 minutes of game time. The Knights also drained 15 threes, combatting a Villanova team known for living and dying by the three themselves.
Eric Dixon scored 29 for the Wildcats, but shot just 1-for-11 from beyond the arc. Wooga Poplar had a double-double, posting 32 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome UCF’s pace.
Next up: Nebraska. Tip-off for the title game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Sunday on FOX.
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