On the heels of back-to-back losses to Houston and South Florida, UCF (3-3, 1-2 AAC) will look to rebound this Tuesday night when Memphis (6-4, 2-1 AAC) visits Addition Financial Arena for a 9 p.m. tip.
Last Saturday in Tampa, UCF held a one-point halftime lead on South Florida but the Bulls controlled the second half, quickly reclaiming the lead and never looking back to a 68-61 victory.
UCF plays with a small rotation as is, so it didn't help matters when freshman Isaiah Adams was unavailable due to a non-COVID illness. The team's leading scorer, Brandon Mahan, was completely taken out of his game, scoring just two points on 1-of-3 shooting in 32 minutes of action. He didn't even attempt a field goal in the second half. Rebounding was also an issue as South Florida benefited from 14 offensive rebounds resulting in 21 second-chance points.
UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins, speaking following Monday's practice, says rebounding has been the key point of emphasis since USF.
"For us, we're really focused on rebounding the basketball," Dawkins said. "We've rebounded, but it's been inconsistent. We've been emphasizing the important of that, both offensively and defensively. Focusing on valuing the basketball and possessions. Too many unforced turnovers that we've got to clean up. Really focusing on the overall execution on both ends."
After six games, Dawkins does see a lot of reasons for optimism though.
"I think we have a lot of potential offensively," Dawkins said. "We've been inconsistent with it. I don't how many teams I've ever coached that had four guys score over 20 points in a game through six games. Offensively, I think we have a lot of potential that's untapped. We've got to find some consistency there, but I have liked that. I think this group, we have a different type of group, and we're kind of playing position-less basketball, I've liked how we've defended. I think for a few exceptions, I think we've defended fairly well throughout the six games."
One bright spot from the USF game was the better play from grad transfer point guard Darius Perry, who scored a career-high 23 points and dished out six assists. He hadn't recorded any assists in his previous three games.
Perry, who played his first three seasons at Louisville, says he's starting to get more in a rhythm.
"I definitely felt like my first few games out there, at least for me, it was uncomfortable," Perry said. "Just playing with a new bunch of guys. Trying to get used to the things we were doing. Things weren't as fluid when I was on the floor. I think as the games went on, we got a little more fluid each time just knowing where everybody was going to be and the kind of shots they like. The timing will just keep getting better."
Despite his early-season struggles, Dawkins says Perry has been doing everything the right way.
"For what we've gone through, it's difficult and challenging enough with everything that's happened (with injuries and uncertainty due to COVID), but guys like Darius have made it a little bit easier because of their buy-in," Dawkins said. "He does a good job of watching film. Does a great job of asking questions of what we want to do as a team, what do we expect of him. We need that. That's how you tie everything together. Really pleased with his willingness to listen. As a grad transfer, He's really wanting to get better in those areas. Basically, his attitude has been really good. That's been the most helpful, bringing him back into our system."
Freshman Isaiah Adams has averaged 11.8 points in his five games played, including a 22-point effort in the win at Florida State. Dawkins didn't know yet whether he'd be able to play against Memphis.
"We're a little shorthanded," Dawkins said. "Being shorthanded, not having Isaiah last game, that would have given us another player out there that's capable of scoring the basketball, that could have helped us. That's the nature of the sport... Getting some depth back with hopefully, if Isaiah is able to go, that gives us another opportunity. It's still a game-time decision basically for him so we'll see."
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Freshman Jamille Reynolds returned to action at South Florida after missing the previous three games. He scored four points and pulled down three rebounds in 11 minutes of action.
"I love Jamille's overall upside," Dawkins said. "I get to see him every day in practice. Barring what just happened the last few weeks where he's been a little banged up, he's been terrific as far as his growth as a player. He would have been really served well to have had a summer and summer strength and conditioning, all the things during that time would have been helpful for him. That's the world we're in right now. He's still adjusting. I love his upside. I think he's going to be a terrific player in our program for a long time. He's very skilled. He has a good feel for the game. He's just learning this level of play. He's seeing it daily in practice and in the games. As he starts to make that adjustment, I really do think he's going to impact our conference."
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7-foot-1 center Moses Bol, who redshirted last year, hasn't dressed out so far this season. He was brought in as a project with hopes of eventually developing into a contributor, but his progress has been slowed by an undisclosed ailment, Dawkins said.
"We're still in a holding pattern for where he is exactly. I think he's close. I know he's close. We just have to continue to monitor and make sure he's going to be fine. I just want to see the young man have his opportunity to get out there and contribute because that's what these young people work for. That's what he wants. It's a function of when he's cleared to go, then he'll be able to come out and compete."
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Memphis beat St. Mary's, Arkansas State, Central Arkansas and Mississippi Valley State in their non-conference slate, while losing to Western Kentucky, VCU and Auburn. They are 2-1 in American play with wins against Tulane and South Florida and a loss to Tulsa.
Four Tigers average double figures in points: Landers Nolley II (13.3 ppg), D.J. Jeffries (11.7 ppg), DeAndre Williams (11.7 ppg) and Lester Quinones (10.4 ppg).
"Talent. Extremely talented team," Dawkins said. "Really deep. They go 11 deep. They play 11 guys. They have some experience returning. A lot of talented guys. They have some one-and-dones and things of that nature. They have some guys returning with experience in our conference. That's really stood out."
Nolley, a redshirt sophomore and transfer from Virginia Tech, was named to the ACC All-Freshman team last season after averaging 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists with the Hokies.
"He comes from a winning culture," Dawkins said of Nolley. "He won when he was at Virginia Tech. He's bringing that type of experience. He's a very confident player. He can knock down the open shot. He plays with a lot of confidence and energy. He's definitely a great addition to their program."
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Memphis beat St. Mary's, Arkansas State, Central Arkansas and Mississippi Valley State in their non-conference slate, while losing to Western Kentucky, VCU and Auburn. They are 2-1 in American play with wins against Tulane and South Florida and a loss to Tulsa.
Four Tigers average double figures in points: Landers Nolley II (13.3 ppg), D.J. Jeffries (11.7 ppg), DeAndre Williams (11.7 ppg) and Lester Quinones (10.4 ppg).
"Talent. Extremely talented team," Dawkins said. "Really deep. They go 11 deep. They play 11 guys. They have some experience returning. A lot of talented guys. They have some one-and-dones and things of that nature. They have some guys returning with experience in our conference. That's really stood out."
Nolley, a redshirt sophomore and transfer from Virginia Tech, was named to the ACC All-Freshman team last season after averaging 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists with the Hokies.
"He comes from a winning culture," Dawkins said of Nolley. "He won when he was at Virginia Tech. He's bringing that type of experience. He's a very confident player. He can knock down the open shot. He plays with a lot of confidence and energy. He's definitely a great addition to their program."
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Like so many in his generation, Darius Perry grew up a big Kobe Bryant fan.
"My favorite player growing up was Kobe Bryant," Perry said. "I watched all his games, all his highlights. Anything that had to do with Kobe Bryant. I knew when he was born, his middle name, everything. He's the GOAT to me. As far as favorite player, Kobe for sure."
What about today's players?
"As far as emulating my game, I like to watch Damian Lillard," Perry said. "He's been my favorite point guard in the NBA. I don't think there's anything he can't do. I think my game emulates his a lot.
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Tuesday's game against Memphis will tip-off at 9 p.m., an unusually late start due to accommodating ESPNU television coverage, but it's nothing new for UCF which also played a 9 p.m. game at FSU.
"I think right now with the uncertainty that's around our game and everything really, with his pandemic, I think these young people just want an opportunity go out and compete no matter what time," Dawkins said. "They just want to play. They want an opportunity to compete and play games. At 9 o'clock, our guys will be excited to compete."
