† 2011 CUSA Tournament winner Rankings from AP Poll *UCF vacated its wins from the 2010–11 season after it was discovered that there was an ineligible player on the team.
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.[2] At the time, UCF was one of only four schools to be ranked in the BCS standings and the AP men's basketball poll.[3]
In February 2012, UCF vacated its wins from the 2010–11 season after it was discovered that there was an ineligible player on the team.[1][4]
Previous season
In the previous year, the Knights finished the season 15–17, 6–10 in C-USA play under the leadership of Head Coach Kirk Speraw. After the season, Speraw was fired and replaced by Donnie Jones .[5]
All of UCF's wins from the 2009–10 season were later vacated.[6]
*Non-Conference Game. Rankings from AP poll. All times are in Eastern Time. **The game on February 2 at UTEP was canceled due to inclement weather and rescheduled for February 21.
Rankings
Ranking Movement[8] Legend:██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██Not ranked the previous week.
Poll
Pre Oct 28
Wk 1 Nov 15
Wk 2 Nov 22
Wk 3 Nov 29
Wk 4 Dec 6
Wk 5 Dec 13
Wk 6 Dec 20
Wk 7 Dec 27
Wk 8 Jan 3
Wk 9 Jan 10
Wk 10 Jan 17
Wk 11 Jan 24
Wk 12 Jan 31
Wk 13 Feb 7
Wk 14 Feb 14
Wk 15 Feb 21
Wk 16 Feb 28
Wk 17 Mar 7
Wk 18 Mar 14
Wk 19 Mar 21
Final
AP
—
—
—
—
RV
RV
24
19
19
23
RV
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Coaches
—
—
—
—
RV
RV
RV
21
18
22
RV
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Notes
^UCF vacated its 19 regular season and 2 post season wins from the 2010–11 season after it was discovered that there was an ineligible player on the team. The team's pre-sanctions record was 21–12 (6–10). The "official" record therefore stands as 0–12.
^Rescheduled to February 21 due to winter storm in El Paso[7]
^It is possible to receive votes in certain polls but not be officially ranked in the Top 25. Rankings of 26 and greater indicate the team has received votes, but not enough to be featured in the Top 25.