Tonight after the Super Bowl there is a VR Foo Fighters concert and tomorrow the Magic-Nuggets game is being offered in VR. Would you be interested in watching UCF football as a VR event? I haven’t seen a football game in VR but I was impressed with the NBA experience.

I just purchased the Oculus Quest 2 and was curious what the interest was in live sports. ( I expect most oculus users are primarily interested in gaming)

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Opening Knight is almost here!

UCF's 2022 baseball season officially gets underway next Friday when the Knights play host to Siena for a three-game tilt Feb. 18-20. Other highlights from the non-conference slate include a home series against Ole Miss (March 4-6), two games against Miami (March 16 at UCF, May 11 at UM) and a two-game set at Florida State (March 22-23). American Athletic Conference play begins April 1 at home against South Florida.

A season ago, UCF just missed on the NCAA Tournament by falling in the AAC Championship Game to South Florida. Prior to the COVID shutdown of 2020, the Knights were 15-3 and nationally ranked.

This will be Greg Lovelady's sixth season in Orlando. Here's a recap of our 18-minute conversation.

-Lovelady is excited about this group. He's proud of his staff in getting the team prepared. The new kids have been a "breath of fresh air." The talent level is there. "It's been a fun group of kids to work with. I'm excited to see them compete."

-On John Rhys Plumlee and his recruitment, Lovelady and UCF faced Ole Miss last season so they knew who he was. Called him a "super athletic kid."

Lovelady: "He's been awesome. The things that people said about him, 'The one thing I can guarantee you is he'll make your team better just by being around.' From day one, you would have thought he was here all year. He's a super energetic personality. Fit right in with our guys. Again, if you walked out there right now, it doesn't seem like he's a new kid. Seems like he's been here all fall with us. He fit right in and has been working hard."

They should get an answer on Plumlee's waiver request in the next 24-48 hours. He was past the deadline for immediate eligibility for baseball season, but has asked the NCAA to reconsider due to extenuating circumstances of being a football player.

Plumlee is "very fast, can play defense, has really good bat speed." Said it's challenging because JRP doesn't get the swings year-round because of his football responsibilities, so they'll do what they can to get him game ready. He's improved a lot in two weeks. "He's done a great job of trying to play catch up."

-The players we interviewed prior to Lovelady prominently name-dropped Connor Staine, a RHP transfer from Maryland. Lovelady also raved about him.

"It's been unbelievable. He's probably the most talented we've ever had here, since I've been here, in terms of stuff. Obviously doesn't have the experience some of the other guys have, but he's been 92-97 with four pitches that are all plus pitches. He's got a great body. He's been awesome for us in terms of team culture to his work ethic. Really buying into the things we believe in, the mental game. It's just continuing to grow.

"The video you watched last year (pitching at Maryland), there were some days he would be up to 93, some days he was 88. I think he was 88-90, he started against ECU in the regional, trying to come out of the loser's bracket, trying to beat them twice. His stuff was just okay. He really built some confidence in the Cape (Cod League). He's continue to up every outing. In the fall, he was 92-93, 93-94, 95-96. During the offseason he's done a great job keeping all that work. Right out of the gate he's had plus-stuff. It'll be interesting to see how he handles the grind of the season. We've got to take care of him. I don't want him to get up to 110 innings. I think the most innings he's ever thrown was 30 or something like that. We've got to be careful with that. How his body reacts to that. He's worked really hard. He's in great shape. He's got a professional body. I'm really excited. He steps right in and looks like he's going to be in the rotation. A legit arm in this league, a legit arm in the country. I'm expecting big things out of him this year."

-Five guys are competing for three weekend rotation spots between Connor Staine (Maryland transfer), David Litchfield, Hunter Patteson, Ben Vespi and Will Saxton (FIU transfer).

"I feel comfortable about the rotation and excited about it, what we can do."

-Lovelady spoke about the depth and parity in the AAC. UCF was predicted to finish in fifth by league's coaches, which should be a motivation. You need to be self-motivated to win a championship though.

-He believes the strengths of the team should be offensively, saying they went from 650 career at-bats on Opening Day last year to 3,800 career at-bats going into this season. They'll need guys to step up to replace Jordan Rathbone and Josh Crouch's production, but they didn't really expect their production either. Gephry Pena, Alex Freeland, Tom Josten, Ben McCabe and Nick Romano, they've got to step up. He thinks the depth and experience overall will be a benefit.

-Looking at the field, he said there are battles but it's really more an issue of where guys play. Ben McCabe can play first base, catch and DH. Riley Wash (Pittsburgh transfer) has done a great job at catcher. Nick Romano has been playing well as has Tom Josten. Michael Brooks (Arkansas transfer) has been good. Gephry Pena and Pablo Ruiz are experienced. Trent Taylor, a sixth-year transfer, has done some good things offensively and could be a starter. Lex Boedicker and Cole Russo are two freshmen that could play. Russo can play catcher and first base.

"Most of it is figuring out where guys should play and the matchups. I think we'll see a bunch of different lineups the first 6-8 games of the season and then see where we're at, see how guys handle it and go from there."

-Injuries: 3B Andrew Brait had shoulder surgery in his non-throwing arm following the fall and is currently out, but should be back at some point during the season. Freshman RHP Kris Sosnowski is out for year (elbow). RHP Zack Bennett is also out for the year, which is a big blow because he was a possible set-up guy or closer. RHP Nolan Lepkoske might be able to return later in the season.

-The new video board was just erected a few days ago with the finishing touches being implemented to have it ready in the next few days.

Lovelady: "I'm appreciative to Terry (Mohajir). He's put a lot of money into the field, the sound system, the new video board, the turf around foul territory and we re-did the dugouts. The field really looks nice. They've done a really god job upgrading a bunch of things from a looks standpoint, from a cleanliness standpoint and fan experience standpoint. We're excited for everyone to be here, enjoy the new sound system and video board which is a huge upgrade and something we obviously drastically needed."

Team "A":
NET Rating of 44
RPI Rating of 21

or

Team "B"
NET Rating of 32
RPI Rating of 6

Posted some of this in another thread, but wanted to share in its own thread to see if others feel the same way.

At this point, I am rooting for Memphis to win out, and for Memphis, Houston, and SMU to finish in the top 3….I am rooting for us to get the 4 or 5 spot - doesn’t matter which, and get a bye, and then would love a first round game against Temple (winnable) or Tulane. That’s best case scenario right now.

I do not want Memphis sliding in that 4/5 game. I also think if Wichita ends up in the 8/9 game, they have as good as shot as any to beat whoever the 1 seed is, as they have been improving all year, but only have 5 games left (they lost three conference games to Covid).

And then when they are totally exhausted from beating the 1 seed, we knock them off in the semis. And if they lose, they will wear out the 1 seed anyways.

2023 Miami DB Stanquan Clark updates his overall recruiting, talks about UCF visit. He's not wordy, don't take his shortness as being rude or flippant. Insider's note: Clark shared he speaks with their staff about every other week.

I heard Parker has signed a pro wrestling contract. Will be introduced as the son of a legendary wrestler. Strange career path but suits him.

Vote early and vote often. Voting closes at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 17. You can vote once per hour, let's bring home the dubs.

Quan Lee:
https://t.co/QPRnmCt3jd

Xavier Townsend:
https://t.co/motFv0WORp

Jamaal Johnson:
https://t.co/motFv0WORp

Ja'Cari and Demari Henderson:
https://t.co/f2d2MrECDY

Great article........

We recently took in a new rescue. She was just spayed earlier that week and the rescue/foster parents gave us 2 bottle of meds. Presumably for post-surgery recovery. About a month later we took her to our vet and she was diagnosed with heartworms. We also found out 1 of the meds we were given was a heartworm treatment. Our vet called the other vet and confirmed she was diagnosed before we took possession of her.

We were never told of her condition and when we asked we were told "she's been tested". We are pissed that we were never told and also that they could have put her life in danger if we didn't get her checked up in time.

We're big proponents of rescues and know that they operate on shoestring budgets but feel that they're somewhat responsible, morally and financially, for letting us know her condition.

r/amItheasshole?

A friend of mine was on the bowl staff for the Gasparilla Bowl and UF sent a gift to all of the staff thanking them for all of their help during the bowl and bowl week. Thought it was a really cool gesture.
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Hot Ones is a fun interview show on YouTube. Truth or Dab is a spinoff. Gabe was on it today.

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Nm

No dog in this fight but looking forward to a good game hopefully.
Noticed the other day that former Memphis RB Darrell Henderson was activated from the injury list by the Rams. Maybe he will go for 1,000 yards in the first half like he did against us. Haha

The weather should be AWESOME today and our UCF Women’s Softball Team is playing a split Doubleheader.

First game is against Fresno State of California at 2:00 pm.


Second game is against Longwood, a University located in Farmville, Virginia at 7:00 pm




Good stuff for sure…

Have they reached out about seat upgrades possibilities for the 2022 season yet? If not, when do they typically do that? (I don't remember when they did it last year and am afraid I missed the boat)

Has anyone watched this? I’m on Episode 6 out of 7 and one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen.

This airport in Englad did as they bought a retired British Airways 747 for just $1.35 and have turned it into an event center space "Party Plane", complete with dance floor and removal of ceiling g to show fly by wire system.

Below are interviews with OF Gephry Pena, DH Tom Josten and SS Alex Freeland. All three were named to the preseason American Athletic Conference team.

SS Alex Freeland:

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In his freshman rookie season of 2021, Freeland batted .288 with seven home runs, 10 doubles and 37 RBI.

Freeland said he really likes the team chemistry.

He raved about RHP Connor Staine (Maryland transfer) and also said good things about LHP Will Saxton.

He mentioned RHP David Litchfield and RHP Ruddy Gomez (JUCO transfer) as perhaps the top two options in the bullpen.

If UCF can find a way to win one-run games, which they had difficulty doing last season, they'll be real scary.

Freeland is looking to improve vs. right-handed pitching.

He's getting along great with John Rhys Plumlee. Freeland was going to switch to No. 10 this season, but he's letting John Rhys have it. He mentioned JRP has his brand which features the No. 10. "He's very fast in the outfield and he's done a good job picking up our hitting techniques."

Freeland is excited about Ole Miss coming here too.

UCF is "hungrier than ever" to reach the NCAA Tournament.

DH Tom Josten:

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In 2021, the redshirt junior Josten batted .253 with eight home runs, nine doubles, 31 RBI and a team-best 48 walks.

Josten talked about how much it "hurt" to lose to South Florida in the conference tournament final last season.

He believes this year's team is "deeper" as the new freshman and transfers should be major contributors.

Asked to name players who have caught his eye, Josten said RHP Connor Staine (Maryland transfer) has been "electric" and can be a "powerful starter" and said LHP Will Saxton has been "throwing well." Freshman hitter names included Lex Boedicker and Cole Russo, among others.

Josten is exciting about getting Ole Miss at home and says the AAC is always tough.

He's excited about the new video board, thankful for the donors that helped make it happen.

OF Gephry Pena:

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In 2021, Pena led the conference in stolen bases (27) while batting .290 with four home runs, nine doubles and 26 RBI.

Pena said this team will be "relentless" and mentally strong. "We'll find a way to beat you."

On the No. 5 AAC preseason poll ranking, Pena said it's motivating and they are looking to prove everybody wrong.

Asked to name newcomers or freshmen that have impressed him, Pena mentioned RHP Connor Staine (Maryland transfer), freshman OF Lex Boedicker, freshman IF Ryan Taylor, freshman LHP Domnic Castellano and freshman LHP Cylis Cox.

Pena added he believes this pitching staff can be "dominant." Names mentioned include returner Hunter Patteson, Connor Staine, LHP Cameron Crain (JUCO transfer) and RHP Kyle Kramer (Rollins transfer).

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