They played their home games at UCF Arena in Orlando, Florida and were led by second-year head coach Donnie Jones.

In the previous year, the Knights finished the season 21–12, 6–10 in C-USA play under the leadership of then first-year Head Coach Donnie Jones.

The year was full of milestones for the UCF program, who following a 10–0 start to the season, in which they defeated #18 Florida, South Florida, and Miami, the Knights were nationally ranked for the first time in program history.

[1] At the time, UCF was one of only four schools to be ranked in the BCS standings and the AP men's basketball poll.

[2] The Knights would continue to start the season on a 14–0 run before an 8-game skid that dropped them out of the national rankings.