@UCF

[jacobkdoyle]

Game is Tuesday at 7 on CBS Sports...

 

[Defense first]

Game is Tuesday at 7 on CBS Sports...

Let's make there big guys guard the three and run taco to death. They have some meaty players, this is the game cane goes for big numbers. I don't think they have anyone who can stay in front of him. Have Kyle pull taco out on perimeter and do work. Gary one on one rebounding in post is unfair to say the least. Let's put another top 75 road win on our resume. Go bearcats. prediction 67 to 55

 

[Emperor Snapper]

UCF is very similar, statistically, to Mississippi State. Both have top-20 defenses on Kenpom (UCF #4, MSU #19). They are also the two worst offenses, and the two worst teams, amongst the top-20 defensive squads (UCF #277 offense, #74 overall; MSU #183 offense, #81 overall).

Both teams have a great shot blocker in the middle, around a +5 rebounding margin, a negative Ast/TO ratio, and struggle from beyond the arc (UCF 30.4%, MSU 29.7%). They both get to the line a lot but struggle to convert there (UCF 64.1%, MSU 65.8%). Both are tough to hit shots against (UCF 37.7%; MSU 38.9%)


MSU plays a bit faster and is less careless with the ball; UCF is better overall defensively. Still, they are probably as similar as two opponents are likely to be.

The good news is we handled MSU pretty decisively, and I think the team is playing much better now. The bad news is we struggled to score against them, save for Evans & Washington, who carried the team offensively.

UCF might struggle to reach 50 on Tuesday. As long as 2 or 3 guys are hitting their shots I think UC can pull away - it is just a question of figuring out who has the hot hand and getting them their shots.

 

[Queens_NYC]

BJ Taylor scorched us for 27 in Orlando last season and it looks like he'll still be out with a foot injury when we come into town. UCF is a little bit deeper in the backcourt this season but has no scorers as prolific as Taylor or Williams were last season.

UCF was only up by 5 on Memphis at home with 4 minutes to go in their game before winning by 9.

I think the gap between our two squads has widened a bit this year and I trust Cronin to help us overcome the same problems that plagued us last year with their size.

Bearcats 62
Knights 55

 

[jacobkdoyle]

This game is the whole reason for this road trip. And we have ECU at home after, so let's put it all into this one. They simply do not have the talent or skill to keep up with us. We have to apply pressure on their defense non stop.

 

[Madman81]

i bet the total for this game comes out short of 120.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Jake I really hope we see about the same breakdown of minutes between JJ and Cane. That will mean we probably played pretty well against them and JJ and the wings played well.

For this game I think we need to do everything we can to speed things up. If we are going to press, I hope it's to get steals and cause havoc rather than forcing them to take longer. They'll do that on their own. We must get down the floor quickly after defensive rebounds. Even if we dedicate ourselves to pushing things, it'll still be pretty low possessions. We can't fall into that trap and just accept the slowest game on earth. We are too high level for that. We want to squeeze every last possession out of this game. This is the wrong game to walk it up the court. If Jenifer is in, he needs to zoom down the floor in the traffic rather than waiting for things to clear. Broome is very good at that.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

For this game I think we need to do everything we can to speed things up. If we are going to press, I hope it's to get steals and cause havoc rather than forcing them to take longer. They'll do that on their own. We must get down the floor quickly after defensive rebounds. Even if we dedicate ourselves to pushing things, it'll still be pretty low possessions. We can't fall into that trap and just accept the slowest game on earth. We are too high level for that. We want to squeeze every last possession out of this game. This is the wrong game to walk it up the court. If Jenifer is in, he needs to zoom down the floor in the traffic rather than waiting for things to clear. Broome is very good at that.

As part of the game plan I think you'll see JJ run the ball up the floor. Lot will depend on how we hit the glass. Either way I think like last game you'll see us trying to force pace and get in our offense quickly. If we are able to set up our press often it usually means we have hit a high percentage of our shots.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

If we do end up in a half court game I hope we aren't just settling for jump shots. Need to challenge the big guy and see if we can get some fouls on him. If we can't get him in foul trouble It Would also help if Washington has his jumper working. But in the end we need to run run run

 

[juckerrules]

My prediction: Jarron & Jacob each hit a couple early 3’s.
UCF scores under 30 in first half - Cats win by 12

 

[TheShoeFits]

Cincy -6.5

 

[justinhub2003]

Scouting UCF
Kenpom: #75
Offense Rank: #278
Defense Rank: #4
Tempo Rank: #306
Best Wins: Nebraska, @Alabama, Temple
Worst Losses: #127 UCONN, #77 St Johns and #40 Missouri
Average PPG: 64.6 (334th)
Defensive PPG: 59.1 (3rd)


Analysis:
Defense:
I'll be honest, I never would have guessed that UCF would be 12-5 after losing BJ Taylor after just 1 game and sharpshooter Aubrey Dawkins before the season even started. So much credit is due to Johnny Dawkins and his staff for developing a winning team despite lacking any sort of offensive punch. The Knights live on defensive effort and Tacko Fall is a huge reason behind it working so well for them. Tacko Fall allows UCF to play him in a one man zone while the rest of his teammates guard way up on the perimeter to protect the 3 point shot. They strive on forcing contested jumpers or funneling your drivers right into the long arms of Tacko Fall.

A lot of noise is made about Tacko's presence on the defensive end but it would be very short sighted to look past what AJ Davis brings to the table for them defensively. Synergy ranks him as an "Excellent" defender, allowing just .68 points per possession against him. He is a 6'9 SR forward who moves well and can guard multiple positions. He ranks #5 in the nation in defensive win shares. Him getting in some early foul trouble would really help UC find its way offensively.

Also of note; last year UCF ranked #18 in defense and #2 in effective FG% defense. However this year, its doing very much the same thing it did last year in forcing bad shots and causing a lot of misses but they are also getting out in the passing lanes, playing aggressive and forcing TO's. They went from #341 in forcing TO's all the way to #99. Thats a huge leap and also explains why they've made huge strides in defensive efficiency.

Offense
If elite is the word I'd use to describe UCF's defense, then hot garbage would be how I'd describe its offense. Its just bad. They shoot a dreadful 30.4% from 3 and that number alone shows how much they miss not having Dawkins and Taylor around. Tacko Fall leads this team in scoring with 12 points a game, which mostly come around the rim (He is shooting 77% overall, which is good for #2 in the nation). Fall is shooting just 48% from the free throw line, so to me, I'm giving him nothing easy around the rim and a hard foul that takes him off balance maybe the best way to go if you get beat on positioning. AJ Davis is the second leading scorer and also dishes out nearly 3 assists a game.

Honestly its to talk about them offensively because they mostly just want to survive on that end of the floor. They want to hold you to 50 so they can do their best to throw in 51. Its ugly basketball. So ugly that UCF's Offense is worse than any team in the top 132 of the nation.


The X Factor
Chad Brendel put it best when he said that BJ Taylor has been Day to Day for going on a month now. Its very likely he will play tomorrow and its just so hard to predict what he gives them. Does he come out rusty and end up being a liability for them (hard to imagine at least offensively, Quadri Moore would look lik the Michael Jordan on that team) or does he give the Knights the offensive spark they have been looking for all season? IF he is on his game, Cane and Justin will have their hands full. UC will need to exploit his rust and try to frustrate him early.


Prediction: UC Wins 67- 54



Sorry guys, I know 90% won't read, but I just like to write about CBB and UC especially

 

[Bearcatboy]

Scouting UCF
Kenpom: #75
Offense Rank: #278
Defense Rank: #4
Tempo Rank: #306
Best Wins: Nebraska, @Alabama, Temple
Worst Losses: #127 UCONN, #77 St Johns and #40 Missouri
Average PPG: 64.6 (334th)
Defensive PPG: 59.1 (3rd)


Analysis:
Defense:
I'll be honest, I never would have guessed that UCF would be 12-5 after losing BJ Taylor after just 1 game and sharpshooter Aubrey Dawkins before the season even started. So much credit is due to Johnny Dawkins and his staff for developing a winning team despite lacking any sort of offensive punch. The Knights live on defensive effort and Tacko Fall is a huge reason behind it working so well for them. Tacko Fall allows UCF to play him in a one man zone while the rest of his teammates guard way up on the perimeter to protect the 3 point shot. They strive on forcing contested jumpers or funneling your drivers right into the long arms of Tacko Fall.

A lot of noise is made about Tacko's presence on the defensive end but it would be very short sighted to look past what AJ Davis brings to the table for them defensively. Synergy ranks him as an "Excellent" defender, allowing just .68 points per possession against him. He is a 6'9 SR forward who moves well and can guard multiple positions. He ranks #5 in the nation in defensive win shares. Him getting in some early foul trouble would really help UC find its way offensively.

Also of note; last year UCF ranked #18 in defense and #2 in effective FG% defense. However this year, its doing very much the same thing it did last year in forcing bad shots and causing a lot of misses but they are also getting out in the passing lanes, playing aggressive and forcing TO's. They went from #341 in forcing TO's all the way to #99. Thats a huge leap and also explains why they've made huge strides in defensive efficiency.

Offense
If elite is the word I'd use to describe UCF's defense, then hot garbage would be how I'd describe its offense. Its just bad. They shoot a dreadful 30.4% from 3 and that number alone shows how much they miss not having Dawkins and Taylor around. Tacko Fall leads this team in scoring with 12 points a game, which mostly come around the rim (He is shooting 77% overall, which is good for #2 in the nation). Fall is shooting just 48% from the free throw line, so to me, I'm giving him nothing easy around the rim and a hard foul that takes him off balance maybe the best way to go if you get beat on positioning. AJ Davis is the second leading scorer and also dishes out nearly 3 assists a game.

Honestly its to talk about them offensively because they mostly just want to survive on that end of the floor. They want to hold you to 50 so they can do their best to throw in 51. Its ugly basketball. So ugly that UCF's Offense is worse than any team in the top 132 of the nation.


The X Factor
Chad Brendel put it best when he said that BJ Taylor has been Day to Day for going on a month now. Its very likely he will play tomorrow and its just so hard to predict what he gives them. Does he come out rusty and end up being a liability for them (hard to imagine at least offensively, Quadri Moore would look lik the Michael Jordan on that team) or does he give the Knights the offensive spark they have been looking for all season? IF he is on his game, Cane and Justin will have their hands full. UC will need to exploit his rust and try to frustrate him early.


Prediction: UC Wins 67- 54



Sorry guys, I know 90% won't read, but I just like to write about CBB and UC especially

Always read your view points and stats keep it up!!!!!

 

[waterhead]

Scouting UCF
Kenpom: #75
Offense Rank: #278
Defense Rank: #4
Tempo Rank: #306
Best Wins: Nebraska, @Alabama, Temple
Worst Losses: #127 UCONN, #77 St Johns and #40 Missouri
Average PPG: 64.6 (334th)
Defensive PPG: 59.1 (3rd)


Analysis:
Defense:
I'll be honest, I never would have guessed that UCF would be 12-5 after losing BJ Taylor after just 1 game and sharpshooter Aubrey Dawkins before the season even started. So much credit is due to Johnny Dawkins and his staff for developing a winning team despite lacking any sort of offensive punch. The Knights live on defensive effort and Tacko Fall is a huge reason behind it working so well for them. Tacko Fall allows UCF to play him in a one man zone while the rest of his teammates guard way up on the perimeter to protect the 3 point shot. They strive on forcing contested jumpers or funneling your drivers right into the long arms of Tacko Fall.

A lot of noise is made about Tacko's presence on the defensive end but it would be very short sighted to look past what AJ Davis brings to the table for them defensively. Synergy ranks him as an "Excellent" defender, allowing just .68 points per possession against him. He is a 6'9 SR forward who moves well and can guard multiple positions. He ranks #5 in the nation in defensive win shares. Him getting in some early foul trouble would really help UC find its way offensively.

Also of note; last year UCF ranked #18 in defense and #2 in effective FG% defense. However this year, its doing very much the same thing it did last year in forcing bad shots and causing a lot of misses but they are also getting out in the passing lanes, playing aggressive and forcing TO's. They went from #341 in forcing TO's all the way to #99. Thats a huge leap and also explains why they've made huge strides in defensive efficiency.

Offense
If elite is the word I'd use to describe UCF's defense, then hot garbage would be how I'd describe its offense. Its just bad. They shoot a dreadful 30.4% from 3 and that number alone shows how much they miss not having Dawkins and Taylor around. Tacko Fall leads this team in scoring with 12 points a game, which mostly come around the rim (He is shooting 77% overall, which is good for #2 in the nation). Fall is shooting just 48% from the free throw line, so to me, I'm giving him nothing easy around the rim and a hard foul that takes him off balance maybe the best way to go if you get beat on positioning. AJ Davis is the second leading scorer and also dishes out nearly 3 assists a game.

Honestly its to talk about them offensively because they mostly just want to survive on that end of the floor. They want to hold you to 50 so they can do their best to throw in 51. Its ugly basketball. So ugly that UCF's Offense is worse than any team in the top 132 of the nation.


The X Factor
Chad Brendel put it best when he said that BJ Taylor has been Day to Day for going on a month now. Its very likely he will play tomorrow and its just so hard to predict what he gives them. Does he come out rusty and end up being a liability for them (hard to imagine at least offensively, Quadri Moore would look lik the Michael Jordan on that team) or does he give the Knights the offensive spark they have been looking for all season? IF he is on his game, Cane and Justin will have their hands full. UC will need to exploit his rust and try to frustrate him early.


Prediction: UC Wins 67- 54



Sorry guys, I know 90% won't read, but I just like to write about CBB and UC especially

I usually learn a few things and appreciate the breakdown!

 

[waterhead]

Cincy -6.5

I think this would be an extremely tough road win with Taylor and Dawkins. I would expect Taylor to be rusty if he plays but Banks for USF didn't skip a beat so...

If we have learned anything from last year playing against Tacko I expect a somewhat comfortable win.

 

[Madman81]

i bet the total for this game comes out short of 120.

120 on the nose. in my face.

 

[justinhub2003]

If I were bj Taylor I’d just sit out the rest of the year. Why waste a year of eligibility when it’s a lost cause

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Big game tonight!! We have not played well in their gym. Some thought we may lose this game in their pre season predictions. . I am not one of them. Clark and company understand how big this game is toward winning a league title and will be ready to go. I look for the Cats to Win and cover the -6.5.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

The guys who were talking about Washington needing to hit a couple outside shots, couldn't agree more. Going right at the big man isn't a strategy that really applies when the guy is 7'6" I don't think. We'll just end up missing 2 point shots if we're obsessed with attacking him. The 3s from our big guys though can move him from his cozy spot right by the hoop.

 

[GarradJ21]

I cant see us losing I just wonder if we play down to our competition. I see UCF is 9-2 against the spread so I don't think this will be a cake walk.