Huge news, obviously pretty exciting. But I’m actually going to take (probably) the unpopular opinion here. I think Rokas will start - at least at the beginning of the year.We are legit 10 deep right now
Unit 1 -
Mikey Williams - Former Memphis 5 Star
Darius Johnson - 15 PPG last year for us
Jaylin Sellers - 15 PPG last year for us
Keyshawn Hall - 17 and 8 for George Mason last year
Moustapha Thiam - Incoming 5 Star
Unit 2 -
Jordan Ivy-Curry - 17 and 5 for UTSA last year
Dallan Coleman - Bigger guard, 35% career 3-pt shooter
JJ Taylor - Former Memphis 4 Star
Benny Williams - Long Syracuse body - Will be good for when we go zone
Rokas Jocius - 6'10 260 and shot 38% from 3 last year
Plus guys like Tyler Hendricks, Nils Machowski that will both push Dallan Coleman for that 10th spot (I assume we go 9 deep in big games, with Hall sliding down to play guard at times others need a break)
I agree 100% he should get a few starts vs lesser competition though to see where he is at. Like vs fcs teams that we should easily win against to boost morale imoHuge news, obviously pretty exciting. But I’m actually going to take (probably) the unpopular opinion here. I think Rokas will start - at least at the beginning of the year.
I’ve been in the gym and seen Thiam a couple of times. He’s pretty raw, and he still has a ways to go with his body. Remember, he’s reclassifying and making a jump in competition here. Might actually be best for him to come off the bench. We shall see…
It'll be a challenge for him at first because it'll be men vs the boy. So, getting him stronger will be one of the coach's top priorities. Comparing him to Taco when he first arrived, on O Moustapha's much more athletic, can run the floor and immediately contribute some scoring (down low). On D, he's not as tall as Taco but he is long and can become a decent shot blocker and rebounder. Should be fun to watch him grow.Moustapha is really thin. I hope he can compete against the bigs in the BIG 12![]()
Well summer workouts have started and Hulsewe isn't on the roster. Is he a late arrival, did he change his mind or is he just not needed because we added Thiam? Anyone know? I figure we could always use another big man who has played some competitive college minutes. Especially with Thiam needing to learn the college game.We just got Elijah Hulsewe, 7' 260 backup C from Bethune Cookman
Looks like we have our 1st and 2nd groups now
Mikey/Ivy-Curry
DJ/Coleman
Sellers/JJ Taylor
Hall/Benny
Rokas/Hulsewe
Mikey, Hendricks and Nils all started in the last couple weeks. But isn’t NSD in a few weeks?Bringing this back.
With ZERO HS recruits signed in the 2025 class (remember, Thiam was in this class before re-classifying to ‘24), buckle up for another busy offseason for UCF in the portal.
In theory, the Knight could bring back two starters from this past season (Hall and Thiam), six members of their bench unit in M. Williams, Taylor, Jocius, Di. Johnson, Hendricks, and Machowski (freshmen wing C. Simpson redshirted last season, he could be in the mix as well). And potentially, you could have Jaylin Sellers back if he decides to medically redshirt and stay with UCF another year.
The obvious HUGE loss is Darius Johnson. Two major focuses in the portal should be:
-an experienced lead-guard who can score (to replace D. Johnson)
-an experienced & physical big-man interior defensive post-presence.
Yes please
Played locally at Olympia HS in Orlando. Scored 20+ points 14 times last season, went for 30+ points three times. Career 40% 3PT shooter.
I didn’t include them as starters because they emerged after injuries started to plague the roster (to Ivy-Curry, etc.). All three of those guys need a lot of work.Mikey, Hendricks and Nils all started in the last couple weeks. But isn’t NSD in a few weeks?
He got Taylor Hendricks who was an in-state player. Before that, he got Florida Player of the Year Isaiah Adams from in-state. Jamile Reynolds was a pretty good in-state get a few years back, he never really got his body in shape. D. Green Jr. was pretty damn good, from Tampa. He gets Florida kids.I find it weird all if the HS recruits we had last year didn’t come. Except Thiam who wasn’t even in that class. There are a lot of instate players that are good. I don’t know why we don’t get a bunch. Dawkins never really has. Transfer portal solely isnt working. Try mixing it up.