Preview: Rider at Central Florida
Central Florida had high expectations last season before a rash of injuries took away any chance at achieving its lofty goals, but the Knights open the 2018-19 campaign with a healthy roster and will be tested immediately by visiting Rider on Tuesday. B.J. Taylor, who was picked as the preseason Player of the Year by the American Athletic Conference, and 7-6 Tacko Fall were each limited to 16 games in 2017-18 and lead the way for UCF.
“So far, so good,” Knights coach Johnny Dawkins told reporters of his team’s health. “Our trainer hasn’t come in here and told me anything yet, so knock on wood he doesn’t.” Dawkins’ son Aubrey, who played two years at Michigan before transferring, also missed all of last season with a shoulder injury and should be a factor along with 6-11 George Washington transfer Collin Smith for Central Florida - the preseason pick to win the American. The Knights, who reached the NIT semifinals in 2016-17, must be sharp right away as they face a Rider team that returns five double-digit scorers from a team that won the MAAC regular-season title and reached the NIT. The Broncs won at Penn State and dropped a four-point decision to Providence last season, and are led by sophomore guard Dimencio Vaughn, who averaged 16.1 points in 2017-18.
TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3
ABOUT RIDER (2017-18: 22-10): Vaughn was selected to the MAAC’s preseason first team after shooting better than 50 percent from the field and finishing the season with 25 points in a double-overtime loss at Oregon in the NIT. Sophomore guard Jordan Allen added 13.4 points per game in 2017-18 while sophomore forward Frederick Scott (12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds) and junior point guard Stevie Jordan (12.6 points, 5.9 assists) also return. Junior center Tyere Marshall (10.3 points, 6.6 boards) and senior guard Anthony Durham (7.0 points) can also make impacts for the Broncs, who averaged 81.9 points last season.
ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (2017-18: 19-13): Taylor averaged 15.9 points last season and has drained 119 shots from 3-point range in his career, but should have plenty of help in the scoring department. Fall, who shot 76.7 percent from the field in 2017-18 while scoring 11.3, grabbing 7.3 rebounds and blocking almost two shots per contest, can be a force and the Senegal native told reporters: “I just try to get out there and be as dominant as I know I can be.” Smith, Dawkins and a quartet of guards - Dayon Griffin, Ceasar DeJesus, Terrell Allen and Chance McSpadden - give the Knights plenty of depth.
TIP-INS
1. Coach Dawkins’ next win will be the 200th of his career and he is 43-25 in two seasons at Central Florida.
2. Rider added two transfers, including 6-7 Ahmad Gilbert from Minnesota and 6-1 Kimar Williams from Florida International.
3. Fall needs five blocks to become the second UCF player to reach 200 in his career, joining Keith Clanton (227).
PREDICTION: Central Florida 76, Rider 68
Central Florida had high expectations last season before a rash of injuries took away any chance at achieving its lofty goals, but the Knights open the 2018-19 campaign with a healthy roster and will be tested immediately by visiting Rider on Tuesday. B.J. Taylor, who was picked as the preseason Player of the Year by the American Athletic Conference, and 7-6 Tacko Fall were each limited to 16 games in 2017-18 and lead the way for UCF.
“So far, so good,” Knights coach Johnny Dawkins told reporters of his team’s health. “Our trainer hasn’t come in here and told me anything yet, so knock on wood he doesn’t.” Dawkins’ son Aubrey, who played two years at Michigan before transferring, also missed all of last season with a shoulder injury and should be a factor along with 6-11 George Washington transfer Collin Smith for Central Florida - the preseason pick to win the American. The Knights, who reached the NIT semifinals in 2016-17, must be sharp right away as they face a Rider team that returns five double-digit scorers from a team that won the MAAC regular-season title and reached the NIT. The Broncs won at Penn State and dropped a four-point decision to Providence last season, and are led by sophomore guard Dimencio Vaughn, who averaged 16.1 points in 2017-18.
TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3
ABOUT RIDER (2017-18: 22-10): Vaughn was selected to the MAAC’s preseason first team after shooting better than 50 percent from the field and finishing the season with 25 points in a double-overtime loss at Oregon in the NIT. Sophomore guard Jordan Allen added 13.4 points per game in 2017-18 while sophomore forward Frederick Scott (12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds) and junior point guard Stevie Jordan (12.6 points, 5.9 assists) also return. Junior center Tyere Marshall (10.3 points, 6.6 boards) and senior guard Anthony Durham (7.0 points) can also make impacts for the Broncs, who averaged 81.9 points last season.
ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (2017-18: 19-13): Taylor averaged 15.9 points last season and has drained 119 shots from 3-point range in his career, but should have plenty of help in the scoring department. Fall, who shot 76.7 percent from the field in 2017-18 while scoring 11.3, grabbing 7.3 rebounds and blocking almost two shots per contest, can be a force and the Senegal native told reporters: “I just try to get out there and be as dominant as I know I can be.” Smith, Dawkins and a quartet of guards - Dayon Griffin, Ceasar DeJesus, Terrell Allen and Chance McSpadden - give the Knights plenty of depth.
TIP-INS
1. Coach Dawkins’ next win will be the 200th of his career and he is 43-25 in two seasons at Central Florida.
2. Rider added two transfers, including 6-7 Ahmad Gilbert from Minnesota and 6-1 Kimar Williams from Florida International.
3. Fall needs five blocks to become the second UCF player to reach 200 in his career, joining Keith Clanton (227).
PREDICTION: Central Florida 76, Rider 68