#3 UCF (22-11, 10-6)
UCF
was undefeated, ranked nationally and widely recognized ? back in
December 2010 ? as one of the nation's emerging basketball programs led
by an up-and-coming coach from the tree of Billy Donovan. Folks were
excited about the future of the Knights, and for good reason. Things
were headed in the right direction. But then a New York Times article
uncovered recruiting improprieties, and the NCAA followed up. The result
was a one-year postseason ban announced in July that ensures the
Knights will not play in this season's Conference USA Tournament or NCAA
Tournament. Senior Keith Clanton (14.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) resisted the urge
to transfer without penalty, and he provides high-quality centerpiece.
Isaiah Sykes (12.3 ppg) and Tristan Spurlock (7.2 ppg) are also back.
But it still seems unlikely that the Knights will be capable of
challenging Memphis at the top of C-USA, and, even if they do, they
won't play in the league tournament or NCAA Tournament, meaning coach
Donnie Jones is guaranteed to enter his fourth year at UCF with zero
NCAA appearances.
Alton Sports
was undefeated, ranked nationally and widely recognized ? back in
December 2010 ? as one of the nation's emerging basketball programs led
by an up-and-coming coach from the tree of Billy Donovan. Folks were
excited about the future of the Knights, and for good reason. Things
were headed in the right direction. But then a New York Times article
uncovered recruiting improprieties, and the NCAA followed up. The result
was a one-year postseason ban announced in July that ensures the
Knights will not play in this season's Conference USA Tournament or NCAA
Tournament. Senior Keith Clanton (14.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) resisted the urge
to transfer without penalty, and he provides high-quality centerpiece.
Isaiah Sykes (12.3 ppg) and Tristan Spurlock (7.2 ppg) are also back.
But it still seems unlikely that the Knights will be capable of
challenging Memphis at the top of C-USA, and, even if they do, they
won't play in the league tournament or NCAA Tournament, meaning coach
Donnie Jones is guaranteed to enter his fourth year at UCF with zero
NCAA appearances.
Alton Sports
