Tacko Fall stole the headlines for UCF’s big home opener. But a second close loss to a NCAA Tournament team shows something could be cooking for the Knights
The highlights — and they are every where — involved the two giants on the floor. UCF marketed its home opener as the biggest basketball opener of all time. Two players tipping off both at 7-foot-6 turned the game into something of a sideshow because of it.
Both Tacko Fall and Mamadou Ndiaye got their licks in on each other. Fall probably got the better end of the individual matchup with six points, seven rebounds and four blocks as Ndiaye faced foul trouble throughout the game.
Certainly that was the matchup everyone came to see in UC Irvine’s eventual 91-90 overtime win at CFE Arena. What many fans may have walked away with was something else — a bit of hope that UCF can surprise in the American and take a step up.
Playing without B.J. Taylor in the two opening games, UCF has stood toe to toe with NCAA Tournament likely teams in Davidson and UC Irvine. Both teams are in one-bid conferences but seem poised to make return trips to the Tournament this year.
These were opportunities to be squandered by a young team, but the roots are there to continue to grow.
UCF coach Donnie Jones said after the game (h/t Shannon Green of the Orlando Sentinel):
“I was proud of how our team competed, we just gotta find ways with a young team like this down the stretch to win. We’ve had two games here, one at Davidson with three minutes to go, build and makes some play [but couldn’t finish.] And then obviously coming down here, we did make it to go to overtime, but just couldn’t make it at the end there when we had a chance to win.”
The Knights certainly have to grow up some still.
Adonys Henriquez is still a sophomore and still subject to the wild swings that come with being such a young player. He followed up his 18-point, 7-rebound effort against Davidson with a relative dud against UC Irvine — seven points, six rebounds and 2-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. UCF will need more from him to take any step forward.
But players filled in.
Transfer A.J. Davis delivered on exactly what his arrival appeared to promise, scoring 19 points and dishing out five assists. That kind of production is not expected to be consistent, but he seems good to fill in the gaps in the starting lineup.
Really, UCF is waiting for the return of B.J. Taylor. No official reason has been given for Taylor’s absence, but the Orlando Sentinel reports he suffered a deep bone bruise. It appears possible he could return Saturday.
This Knights team is a balanced team missing a key piece and playing difficult games.
Despite the two losses, UCF has played decent enough defense with a 99.3 defensive rating. The offensive inconsistency has hurt, but Taylor’s return at point guard should boost the team when he gets back on the court.
Fall has taken much of the attention early on this season. As he should. He has already shown a lot more consistency and ability than many probably thought from the freshman center.
The team though is going to win or lose on other players stepping up and making plays, driving the engine forward. Jones has gotten contributions from many different parts of his roster through two games.
The team will have to get consistency and improve its offense to do anything. But even with two losses against two good teams, the Knights appear off to a good start.
