Great Effort UCF Basketball (and coaching)

[ucf_71127]

First want to say, Memphis is always a talented and tough team to play. Nichols played well for them and I am sure that they are glad that he is back.

I was proud of the effort of our team and how they never gave up today. I believe that's a quality that comes from our coach. It may have been 18-2 at one point and you might not like the rebounding or free throw shooting from our team. But we still somehow pushed this game into overtime.

Did anyone here expect us to win this game (you would have put money on this game for us to win)? Check these stats out...

We were a 7.5 dog in this game
started the game down 18-2
BJ Taylor shot 2-14 (1-10 3pt)
Adonys shot 2-8 (1-4 3pt)
FT shooting was 8-19 (42%)
3PT shooting 7-28 (25%)
We were out rebounded 50-41

We were 1 shot away from winning this game. How in the world did we manage overtime? I have to say we have a great coach. He doesn't belittle our players and make them feel like they are an inch tall, he motivates them. He is teaching them! He is an extremely great teacher and uses every moment as a learning opportunity for his players.

Remember, this is an extremely young and limited team because of the depth. But yet he has this team playing strong! We just finished winning 3 straight in conference (only 4 teams have a longer streak in our conference). We also have 2 very winnable games remaining (ECU and USF) and I expect us to finish 7-11 in conference. We are outperforming last years team and that's with us losing our top 5 of 6 scorers.

If you were expecting us to be a top-4 team in conference, you are not a realist. To be a 4th place team currently in the American we would have to be 10-4. I don't see that happening with 1 senior on the team and our 2 leading scorers being freshman. Also, we've starting 4 underclassmen multiple times this year.

We are not that type of team yet (top 4)! Next year, however, I predict that we are a 5th place team and in two years we will be a top 3 team in the conference AND a top-25 team in the nation. We are 2 years away!

I truly believe that Donnie is our guy! He can teach, he can coach, he knows what it takes to win champioships (experience he gained under Donovan), and he is recruiting some excellent talent. I'm guessing you may have forgot, he was 4-2 against UCF when he was at Marshall. He is a good coach and with time it will show.

 

[KNIGHTTIME^]

Brandon Goodwin is definitely progressing nicely. He needs to work on FT's though. Really hard to match up with teams with a full bench and loaded talent. UCF should be in good shape next year.

 

[KnightMatt8]

Originally posted by ucf_71127:
First want to say, Memphis is always a talented and tough team to play. Nichols played well for them and I am sure that they are glad that he is back.

I was proud of the effort of our team and how they never gave up today. I believe that's a quality that comes from our coach. It may have been 18-2 at one point and you might not like the rebounding or free throw shooting from our team. But we still somehow pushed this game into overtime.

Did anyone here expect us to win this game (you would have put money on this game for us to win)? Check these stats out...

We were a 7.5 dog in this game
started the game down 18-2
BJ Taylor shot 2-14 (1-10 3pt)
Adonys shot 2-8 (1-4 3pt)
FT shooting was 8-19 (42%)
3PT shooting 7-28 (25%)
We were out rebounded 50-41

We were 1 shot away from winning this game. How in the world did we manage overtime? I have to say we have a great coach. He doesn't belittle our players and make them feel like they are an inch tall, he motivates them. He is teaching them! He is an extremely great teacher and uses every moment as a learning opportunity for his players.

Remember, this is an extremely young and limited team because of the depth. But yet he has this team playing strong! We just finished winning 3 straight in conference (only 4 teams have a longer streak in our conference). We also have 2 very winnable games remaining (ECU and USF) and I expect us to finish 7-11 in conference. We are outperforming last years team and that's with us losing our top 5 of 6 scorers.

If you were expecting us to be a top-4 team in conference, you are not a realist. To be a 4th place team currently in the American we would have to be 10-4. I don't see that happening with 1 senior on the team and our 2 leading scorers being freshman. Also, we've starting 4 underclassmen multiple times this year.

We are not that type of team yet (top 4)! Next year, however, I predict that we are a 5th place team and in two years we will be a top 3 team in the conference AND a top-25 team in the nation. We are 2 years away!

I truly believe that Donnie is our guy! He can teach, he can coach, he knows what it takes to win champioships (experience he gained under Donovan), and he is recruiting some excellent talent. I'm guessing you may have forgot, he was 4-2 against UCF when he was at Marshall. He is a good coach and with time it will show.

Oh, I definitely think we'll get better, and I'm not giving up on Donnie Jones by any means. However, the effort today, from my perspective, was very disappointing. When I say "effort," I'm not saying the players didn't try, but they didn't play smart and, frankly, they didn't look as good as Memphis did. As I stated in another thread, Memphis didn't do anything special; they just played a little harder and did a little bit better job of going after offensive rebounds. They took advantage of some of our turnovers. I guess I'm more critical of the performance today than you are, but I'll root for the Knights to the very end.

 

[ucf_71127]

Nice post matt! I agree that we could have hustled more (I believe that you can always give more, atleast 99% of the time). But I like how we never gave up. It could have been very easy to throw the towel in after 4 minutes of playing or even in the last 6 minutes when down 11 points, but we didn't give up.

KnightTime, I also think you made a great point about being difficult to match up with other teams. Not just because of depth or talent, but I would also say with size/height. Look at our scholarship players that I listed below. We only have 4 players listed over 6-7 on our squad. Out of those 4 players, only 1 plays more than 15 minutes a game!!

Brandon Goodwin 6-0 34 mins
BJ Taylor 6-2 32 mins
Daiquan Walker 6-2 24 mins
Adonys Henriquez 6-6 35 mins
Kasey Wilson 6-7 23 mins
--------------------------------------
Shaheed Davis 6-9 14 mins/gm (but hasn't played in 20% of our games)
Stephon Blair 6-9 25 mins/gm
Justin McBride 6-10 13 mins/gm
Dylan Karell 6-11 10 mins/gm

That equals 62 mins of playing time for our "bigs". That means we are playing 1/2 the game with only 1 "big", at a time, in the game.
Of course we are getting out rebounded!!

Next year, we will have these players over 6-7:

Chad Brown 6-8
Shaheed Davis 6-9
Stephon Blair 6-9
A.J. Davis 6-9
Justin McBride 6-10
Dylan Karrell 6-11
Tacko Fall 7-5

If you count, we have 7 players over 6-7 (actually 6-8)! Currently our 7th tallest player on scholarship is Daiquan Walker at 6-2. That is a huge difference when compared to Chad Brown! We will have SIZE next year!! We will have NUMBERS next year! We currently play 8-9 guys each game. Next year, we will be able to play 13 guys (atleast that will be pushing for playing time).

 

[pittpal]

UCF 71127

you really must be kidding me. Way to go by watching game thru rose colored glasses.
if this team does not fall behind 18-2 it would be an easy win. Not preparing to start the game is %100 coaching.

 

[mattropolis]

Free Throws Matter...

4-13 in regulation. They are his kids and they can't shoot free throws. What team have you been watching for the last couple of years? We have no depth and talent because of DJ. I look forward to seeing who our next coach will be...hopefully sooner than later.

 

[Square Knight]

Re: Free Throws Matter...

Some people (mattropolis/pittpal) are just impossible to please. Best to just ignore them.

 

[pittpal]

my retort

I guess we are not permitted to have a negative comment. I have watched since 1989 and I am entitled to have an opinion. You do not hear me asking for DJs head just asking anyone who thinks today was a great performance to take off your rose colored glasses. It seems that in many posters mind that we must always be positive..Who made these guys King of the Posters. Why ignore me? I have valid opinions.

 

[90Knight]

+1

 

[ucf_71127]

THOSE WHO LIKE TO CRITICIZE

pittpal, it's nothing personal and you're correct that you are entitled to your own opinion. But I realize we both have different perspectives and personalities. I am a very positive person and I am always looking for the good in things. I hoped for the best with our basketball team, but I didn't set high expectations this year. I appreciate input and opinions but I struggle when I hear negativity, over and over and over and over and over.

For example, you started a thread earlier today "Great start for Donnie" and your comment was 18-2. (Did I sense sarcasm with your frustration? )Your perspective (I'm assuming) is that it's DJ's fault. I think that it's the team's fault (players and coach) why we started 18-2.
I was impressed that we came back and forced overtime! Why wasn't there anything positive posted? I'm tired of the negativity!

Pittpal (and many others), you know a lot about UCF basketball because you have been following it since 1989! So here are some questions that your knowledge could help answer... So what good do you see in the program? What good do you see in this years team? What do you like about coach jones? How do you feel about the program moving forward with the current coach?

That takes knowledge to answer. Anybody watching today's start (2-18) could realize that we struggled. So why post it? Yeah, it is frustrating but it doesn't help anybody.

Truthfully, it's more enjoyable to think about the positives then it is to criticize everything. It's more fun to have HOPE than it is to feel despair. Yes!... You can be honest and truthful. But mix in some positivity (made that word up?)

If your wife ask you if you like her in her new dress, and you don't. It would be wise to say something positive with the truth. It does nobody good to say she looks fat in it.

Maybe you don't like the analogy. Point is, I love UCF and so do many others here on ucfsports (you're included in that). Many of us have to deal with arrogant gator fans or noles that don't give any respect to UCF. So why should we have to defend ourselves against other UCF fans on here!? I am tired of defending and supporting our basketball team against other UCF fans. Yes, share the truth but the point is, share the good AND the bad (not just one side).

 

[Knight_Light]

Re: Free Throws Matter...

Originally posted by Square Knight:
Some people (mattropolis/pittpal) are just impossible to please. Best to just ignore them.

Ever notice how mattropolis, on both boards, almost never shows up after wins (UCF just won 3 straight AAC Conf games for the first time...came off their best game of the year on Thur night...hitting 12 3's)..and/or games where UCF shot well from the FT line (which has been several).

UCF's best FT shooter and leader scoring had a rough game today (Taylor), and Adonys had a below average game yet UCF still tied it up in regulation, then, after an amazing hustle play by Goodwin, still had a shot to win.

Boys played tough...and outhustled the much more talented Memphis team for much of the day.

One last home game next Saturday at Noon...can't wait...and then I can't wait to see all the new talent that will show up on the court in Nov.

This post was edited on 2/22 11:22 PM by Knight_Light

 

[mattropolis]

Re: THOSE WHO LIKE TO CRITICIZE

Originally posted by ucf_71127:
pittpal, it's nothing personal and you're correct that you are entitled to your own opinion. But I realize we both have different perspectives and personalities. I am a very positive person and I am always looking for the good in things. I hoped for the best with our basketball team, but I didn't set high expectations this year. I appreciate input and opinions but I struggle when I hear negativity, over and over and over and over and over.

For example, you started a thread earlier today "Great start for Donnie" and your comment was 18-2. (Did I sense sarcasm with your frustration? )Your perspective (I'm assuming) is that it's DJ's fault. I think that it's the team's fault (players and coach) why we started 18-2.
I was impressed that we came back and forced overtime! Why wasn't there anything positive posted? I'm tired of the negativity!

Pittpal (and many others), you know a lot about UCF basketball because you have been following it since 1989! So here are some questions that your knowledge could help answer... So what good do you see in the program? What good do you see in this years team? What do you like about coach jones? How do you feel about the program moving forward with the current coach?

That takes knowledge to answer. Anybody watching today's start (2-18) could realize that we struggled. So why post it? Yeah, it is frustrating but it doesn't help anybody.

Truthfully, it's more enjoyable to think about the positives then it is to criticize everything. It's more fun to have HOPE than it is to feel despair. Yes!... You can be honest and truthful. But mix in some positivity (made that word up?)

If your wife ask you if you like her in her new dress, and you don't. It would be wise to say something positive with the truth. It does nobody good to say she looks fat in it.

Maybe you don't like the analogy. Point is, I love UCF and so do many others here on ucfsports (you're included in that). Many of us have to deal with arrogant gator fans or noles that don't give any respect to UCF. So why should we have to defend ourselves against other UCF fans on here!? I am tired of defending and supporting our basketball team against other UCF fans. Yes, share the truth but the point is, share the good AND the bad (not just one side).

So what good do you think has come out of this season?

Here's my take: Nothing. I expected us to be a poor team this year; predicting 5 wins in conference play. They have 3 games left to surpass it. Maybe once we see the talent on the floor next year i might actually have some hope for the hoops program.

I'll say what I want on here just like every other person. I also don't have any problem with whatever anybody else says or responds to me with. It's a message board. That is the point.

I took crap from pretty much everybody on here from 2004 to at least 2007 because I could see what GOL was doing, and even when our record didn't go like we would have liked you could see the progress on the field. I have seen none of that with basketball. The only constant I hear is, "next year we'll be good. You watch."

 

[mattropolis]

Re: Free Throws Matter...

Originally posted by Knight_Light:

Originally posted by Square Knight:
Some people (mattropolis/pittpal) are just impossible to please. Best to just ignore them.

Ever notice how mattropolis, on both boards, almost never shows up after wins (UCF just won 3 straight AAC Conf games for the first time...came off their best game of the year on Thur night...hitting 12 3's)..and/or games where UCF shot well from the FT line (which has been several).

UCF's best FT shooter and leader scoring had a rough game today (Taylor), and Adonys had a below average game yet UCF still tied it up in regulation, then, after an amazing hustle play by Goodwin, still had a shot to win.

Boys played tough...and outhustled the much more talented Memphis team for much of the day.

One last home game next Saturday at Noon...can't wait...and then I can't wait to see all the new talent that will show up on the court in Nov.

This post was edited on 2/22 11:22 PM by Knight_Light

Three wins against USF, Houston and Tulane. Big time! if only other teams could pull off that feat.

 

[KnightMatt8]

Re: UCF 71127

Originally posted by pittpal:
you really must be kidding me. Way to go by watching game thru rose colored glasses.
if this team does not fall behind 18-2 it would be an easy win. Not preparing to start the game is %100 coaching.

Hey, Pitt, I'm with you that it was an awful start to the game, but as I said, I'm not ready to jump on the "Fire Donnie" bandwagon. He and his staff signed a great class this year, plus we're getting some help from a talented Tennessee transfer as well. If he can't win with this group in the next 2 years, then maybe he should go.

 

[Knight_Light]

Re: Free Throws Matter...

Originally posted by mattropolis:

Originally posted by Knight_Light:

Originally posted by Square Knight:
Some people (mattropolis/pittpal) are just impossible to please. Best to just ignore them.

Ever notice how mattropolis, on both boards, almost never shows up after wins (UCF just won 3 straight AAC Conf games for the first time...came off their best game of the year on Thur night...hitting 12 3's)..and/or games where UCF shot well from the FT line (which has been several).

UCF's best FT shooter and leader scoring had a rough game today (Taylor), and Adonys had a below average game yet UCF still tied it up in regulation, then, after an amazing hustle play by Goodwin, still had a shot to win.

Boys played tough...and outhustled the much more talented Memphis team for much of the day.

One last home game next Saturday at Noon...can't wait...and then I can't wait to see all the new talent that will show up on the court in Nov.

This post was edited on 2/22 11:22 PM by Knight_Light

Three wins against USF, Houston and Tulane. Big time! if only other teams could pull off that feat.

Tulane won at Memphis (at Cincinnati too).

UCF...the only team that can't get credit for any win from a certain small percentage of their so-called fans.

We get it (understood it about 100 posts ago), you don't like Coach Jones...but at least give the players credit for fighting so short-handed this season.

 

[Central Floridave]

I didn't read any of the above bickering. tldr...

But, wanted to comment that I watched the game on DVR late last night. I was amazed we came back and tied it at the end! Too bad they couldn't pull it off at the end. Would have been a great statement game!

Go Knights.

 

[pittpal]

Re: THOSE WHO LIKE TO CRITICIZE

I am not sure DJ is the right coach. Too many incidents like 18-2 Sun and the apparent lack of concerns by DJ with terrible foul shooting. In the long run I see success either next year with remarkable poise by our new recruits or in two years after they mature. I loved the article about Coach Finney and I would be happy if he was our coach.

Yes the Great start Donnie post was as much disappointment as anything. I was not at start of game and I was not surprised at the start. TOO MANY of those under DJ..

 

[Knight_Light]

Re: THOSE WHO LIKE TO CRITICIZE

Originally posted by pittpal:
I am not sure DJ is the right coach. Too many incidents like 18-2 Sun and the apparent lack of concerns by DJ with terrible foul shooting.

Just shows how clueless and uniformed you really are...I'm so glad you posted that.

BJ is shooting 74.1% in conf play.

McBride is shooting 76% " "

Henriquez is shooting 83% " "

Walker is shooting 79% " "

Goodwin, who has obviously struggled at FT shooting in Day 1...just went 7-8 in 2 straight games prior to his struggles.

Blair has struggled recently, some could be attributed that he is shooting a lot more late FT's tired...as his mins have sky rocketed up over the last few weeks.

Even as a team in conf play, UCF is outshooting its opponents by 7% overall from the stripe.

In latest conf standings...UCF is 5th in FT shooting in AAC (out of 11 teams).


FREE THROW PCT G FTM FTA Pct
1. Cincinnati 13 155 226 .686
2. SMU 14 200 292 .685
3. Houston 12 126 187 .674
4. Tulane 12 132 197 .670
5. UCF 13 166 248 .669
6. Tulsa 12 191 290 .659
7. East Carolina 12 81 123 .659
8. Temple 13 157 241 .651
9. Memphis 12 122 188 .649
10. UConn 12 128 203 .631
11. USF 13 107 190 .563

This post was edited on 2/23 11:16 AM by Knight_Light

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

71127,

I am very glad to see the focus and attention by everyone on this game.

Yes, the effort by the team was great (during the game).

A few items:
1. FT shooting is so bad, we are losing games because of it. Good (not great) teams hit their Free Throws, at least better than 40%
2. your statement "I have to say we have a great coach. He doesn't belittle our players and make them feel like they are an inch tall, he motivates them. He is teaching them! He is an extremely great teacher and uses every moment as a learning opportunity for his players."
I disagree somewhat....
-McBride get's pulled out if he commits one foul. Keep him in. We have a losing season anyway. Get him ready for next season. Push him a bit.
-He had a move yesterday that was awesome....why can't he repeat this move?
- Rebounding was not good yesterday...even when we are on defense. Is Donnie teaching them? Nobody boxes out.
- Yes, Donnie motivates the players, but he is so mellow on the court (or elsewhere) I don't think he commands some respect. I mean sometimes when the referees are as bad as they were yesterday, you gotta get in their face and take a technical!! Whispering to these knuckle head refs does not work.

I think we'll be much better next year.
This post was edited on 2/23 11:29 AM by Knight_Classes_begin_7pm

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

Yeah, Brandon Goodwin will be excellent next year. He hustles! FT shooting needs work.

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

Re: UCF 71127

I agree PITT.

After getting up 10 pts over us to start the game....I think ya gotta call a time out. That sometimes is the only way to stop their scoring and possibly momentum.

Stop the momentum immediately. It's the first half so time outs are slightly less important.

Free throw shooting is a disgrace. Coaching or players??

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

Re: my retort

Pitt, I've been watching since 1987. What year did you graduate?

 

[Knight_Light]

Re: UCF 71127

Originally posted by Knight_Classes_begin_7pm:
I agree PITT.

After getting up 10 pts over us to start the game....I think ya gotta call a time out. That sometimes is the only way to stop their scoring and possibly momentum.

Stop the momentum immediately. It's the first half so time outs are slightly less important.

Free throw shooting is a disgrace. Coaching or players??

Sometimes I wonder if constant complainers like you ever bother to watch the games?

UCF called a timeout yesterday less than 2 mins into the game.

UCF called their 2nd timeout yesterday less than 5 mins into the game.

Weird how you never comment when UCF as a team (or multiple players) shoot well from the FT line yet seem to pop up when they don't.

Slow your roll...watch the games...I think you will have much more fun and enjoyment if you do just that.



This post was edited on 2/24 7:38 AM by Knight_Light

 

[ProAttitude]

Excellent discussion of UCF basketball. Glad everyone kept it civil.

 

[pittpal]

Re: my retort

not a grad..STAFF!!

 

[ucf_71127]

Interesting KnightLight, I didn't know we were 5th in the conference in FT shooting.

About the rebounding, I have already mentioned that we are undersized. I shared our complete roster with their heights. Next year we will have major height improvement.

Secondly, we have showed improvement this year in rebounding from game to game.
1st game against Memphis- out-rebounded 53-24
2nd game against Memphis- out-rebounded 31-26

Is that coaching that improved our team? Game planning from the coach? Some will say yes and some will say no.

 

[Tiger_Pride76]

Moral victory? I would take nothing away from playing Memphis this year. Our players are so damn inconsistent and this is one of Pastners worst teams. We should of never had to go to OT to win that game. Upset with the team and coaching staff, they can redeem themselves with having a better game plan against SMU. We should smash all cupcakes and not struggle with them. Till UCF does something worthwhile, they are a cupcake to Memphis. The Lawson's better be as good as advertised and our starting PG better get his fat ass in shape this off season.

 

[Knight_Light]

Originally posted by Tiger_Pride76:

Till UCF does something worthwhile, they are a cupcake to Memphis.

If you have followed most of the games played in recent years, you would know several have been nail biters and fun games to watch, even when UCF didn't have great teams..

UCF, on a 7 game losing streak, faced Memphis at home...as the Tigers needed a 3 pt shot by Barton with 2 secs left to beat UCF by 1 several years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJlbUioMXro

3 years go, UCF's Keith Clanton completed a 3 pt play with 4 secs left as UCF beat Memphis by 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwbYZdPVIto

And then this past weekend, as UCF came back from a 16 pt early deficit to tie the game up by a shot from BJ Taylor with 3 secs left to send that game into OT.

If UCF were such a cupcake (even their not so good teams), Memphis would easily roll them every year in Orlando, but they don't.

Will be interesting to see what UCF can do with a full roster of scholarship players starting next year, as UCF has a good young base of guards (Goodwin, Taylor and Henriquez),

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

Re: UCF 71127

Sometimes I wonder if you ever take off the ROSIE GLASSES?

Do you ever think things need to be changed? I know people have mentioned this to you for, hmmm, maybe 6 years.

Maybe you think we should still have Speraw?
Maybe you think we should still shoot bad free throws?
Maybe you never think people have other perspectives than you.
Maybe you're happy with Donnie's NCAA violations? You make an excuse for everything.
Are you happy with rebounding?

Maybe you are?

Just the other day I mentioned how well Kasey shot playing Tulane. Maybe you don't really pay attention?

I go to every basketball game and have followed the program since 1987...maybe you haven't.

Yes, I criticize so we can improve. Yes I vent.

I would have called a timeout before the score went to 18-2....just my coaching style.

Sometime KL you just have to speak up, and let yourself speak freely like we do on these boards. Yes I beotch and complain but it's my way of venting.

Just a suggestion, but nobody is going to freak out if you state that you're not happy with something.

And yes I enjoy your level of knowledge of sports and the data you provide from the past to make your points.

 

[Tiger_Pride76]

Cincy smashed the cupcake like they were suppose to. So pissed Memphis let off the gas and let the Knight grab a moral victory

 

[BillUCF97]

Now you know how we felt by letting you stay close in football....

 

[Tiger_Pride76]

We proved that were good this year. UCF has yet to show signs of that. ECU might be ahead of you in having a better basketball program. That is pretty sad considering you are in the state of Florida

 

[BillUCF97]

Using your words "until Memphis does something worthwhile, they are a cupcake to us"

What the hell are you talking about being in Florida..Basketball is irrelevant in this state with the exception of UFs few good years (even then they werent selling out)

 

[Tiger_Pride76]

Their is talent in that state. Memphis has gotten some Floridian that made some major impacts for our teams. Maybe you should do a better job protecting your backyard.

 

[Willie Knightime]

^ Can you find your grammatical errors?

 

[Tiger_Pride76]

"Their instead of there" subject verb agreement with Floridian instead of Floridians. It's a message board Dr. Grammar not real life.