Busting Brackets
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Central Florida Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Knights

By Tristan Freeman

HARTFORD, CT - MARCH 11: Tacko Fall #24 of the UCF Knights looks on during the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the semifinal round of the AAC Basketball Tournament at the XL Center on March 11, 2017 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CT - MARCH 11: Tacko Fall #24 of the UCF Knights looks on during the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the semifinal round of the AAC Basketball Tournament at the XL Center on March 11, 2017 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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HARTFORD, CT – MARCH 11: Head coach Johnny Dawkins of the UCF Knights looks on during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the semifinal round of the AAC Basketball Tournament at the XL Center on March 11, 2017 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CT – MARCH 11: Head coach Johnny Dawkins of the UCF Knights looks on during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the semifinal round of the AAC Basketball Tournament at the XL Center on March 11, 2017 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Key non-conference games

Nov. 24-26 – Advocare Invitational (Missouri, Oregon State, and West Virginia)

Nov. 30 – Missouri

Dec. 3 – at Alabama

The highlight of the non-conference schedule is the Advocare Invitational, where they’ll have a couple of opportunities to knock off potential tournament teams. If things go their way, they’ll have a chance to play Missouri twice this year.

Other than the tournament, the non-conference schedule is more or less just a way to get all the new players in their roles and pick up a chunk of wins. That said, the margin for error is thin, so bad losses aren’t something that should be advised.

Key conference games

Dec. 27 – at SMU

Jan. 10 – at UConn

Jan. 16 – Cincinnati

Jan. 25 – at Wichita State

Feb. 6 – at Cincinnati

Feb. 17 – SMU

Mar. 1 – Wichita State

The overall conference schedule is more front-loaded than the non-conference, with the splits against the top teams coming on the road.

By the time Wichita State come across Central Florida, they’ll be comfortable enough playing in the AAC where teams won’t have a perceived advantage against them.

In terms of the hierarchy of the conference, questions surround the Connecticut Huskies as their role is uncertain in the AAC. If UConn wants to get back to their elite level, and UCF wants to make a statement of their own, then the early conference game on Jan. 10 will matter a lot.