UCF once again needed to rally from a deficit for its first conference win. The athleticism and versatility on the roster have been part of its identity.
The tide turned steadily for UCF in Greenville, N.C. on Saturday.
Down nine with 5:46 left, the Knights went on a 16-3 run to tie the game and eventually take the lead. Adonys Henriquez made two 3-pointers and Daiquan Walker, A.J. Davis and Tanksley Efianayi helped close the game out.
The Knights’ athleticism and hot shooting had helped them get back into the game, stymying the Pirates and tearing apart their zone defense.
“It just helps us build momentum,” Daiquan Walker said. “The young guys, they get to see how it feels to get your first win in conference. Everyone is happy and everyone is rolling and everyone wants to bring that momentum back.”
With Tacko Fall out of the game, UCF was free to move quickly down the floor, cut in and out of the lane and push the pace. In the final six minutes, UCF had 14 of the team’s 69 possessions and a 171.4 offensive rating. Essentially, UCF was making nearly a two-pointer every time down the floor for 20 percent of the team’s possessions in the final 15 percent of the game.
The Knights have played this Jekyll and Hyde game for much of the season. This has become something of their identity. As they opened up conference play this weekend and continue on Wednesday against USF at CFE Arena.
“We have had to play different lineups a lot,” UCF coach Donnie Jones said. “Even in that game we went small down the stretch. We’re still trying to fill that void [without B.J. Taylor]. But I think some guys are starting to get some really good experience now and start to emerge.”
With Tacko Fall, the Knights have to slow down on both ends of the floor. He simply does not have the mobility to play a fast-paced offense or to play man-to-man defense. The Knights have often gone to zone daring teams either to take the ball inside with the 7-foot-6 freshman roaming the paint or to shoot 3-pointers.
Without Tacko Fall, the team tends to pick up the pace more. Forwards like A.J. Davis slash to the basket and Daiquan Walker and Chance McSpadden run screen and rolls with Justin McBride. The team changes its character and its pace.
One thing though does not change though. The athleticism on the wings and the length UCF uses to gain an advantage over opponents.
This is still a young UCF team — Efianayi and Davis are both transfers playing essentially their first year as rotation players in UCF’s offense — and there is still some comfort that needs to be established as a unit.
“I think we’re starting to figure out our roles a little more,” Davis said. “Just what we need to do as individuals. It’s starting to come together a little bit more.”
The Knights’ non-conference schedule was relatively tough — three top-120 teams on the schedule although they struggled to win those games against Davidson, UC-Irvine and George Washington. They were challenged in several areas and came through OK.
The Knights were always going to need a strong conference season. With so many new pieces, and playing without B.J. Taylor, now out for the year, there was going to be a growing stage for this team together. Especially learning to play with Fall.
UCF though has come together decently. Freshman and newcomers are starting to come together.
Efianayi’s emergence with 12 points against East Carolina was a welcome surprise. It was his second straight game with 12 points. He had to adjust from playing at junior college.
Davis has been one of UCF’s best players all year. His maturity and poise have helped the Knights in several late game situations. He does not always assert himself, but he has emerged as the Knights’ top player. And he has become less afraid to take over games.
He has fit in well and filled whatever gap the team needs at certain times.
“I think A.J. is growing,” Jones said. “We’re asking a lot from him, play a lot of positions. We’re asking him to lead our team and do a lot. The biggest thing for him is consistency because it’s the first year. He’s almost like a freshman. One thing he’s bringing every day is effort and energy. He’s competitive and I know he cares.”
UCF still lacks that star. Someone always has to step up. Sometimes it has been A.J. Davis. Sometimes it has been Shaheed Davis. Sometimes it has been Chance McSpadden or Daiquan Walker or Adonys Henriquez. Sometimes it has even been Tacko Fall.
This is a team full of guys searching for the right combination and right groupings. They have to work together to score consistently.
It has led to some inconsistent moments for sure. Against some strong teams UCF has struggled. The team has let leads slip against Miami (Ohio) and UMass. The Knights fell behind by 15 points and had to come back to get to overtime against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.
The Knights seem to score in bunches it seems. When they get rolling, they really roll. That is what happened this weekend against East Carolina.
“We responded well after the last home game against [George Washington],” Jones said. “I think either your’e team takes another step, you go through different challenges throughout the season. It’s not one game that makes or breaks you. You learn from it and I’ve seen our guys take another step and that will be important for us as we play this one and move on from a victory. ”
Establishing who they are with each step of the way.
