UCF junior Justin McBride had his best game of the season versus the UIC Flames after scoring 14 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and a block shot.
The 6’10” 325 pound center came off the bench and took advantage of every opportunity by hitting open jumpers, displaying good post moves, and owning the paint offensively.
“Justin’s been given us some good minutes of the bench when he has come in,” said UCF head coach Donnie Jones. “Obviously he hasn’t been playing a lot of minutes, but my whole thing is play as hard as you can for the time you’re in there…I think his focus has been accepting that coming off the bench.”
McBride has split playing time with freshman center Tacko Fall and senior forward Stephon Blair so far this season.
“Steph is the grandpa”, said McBride. “Me I’m getting old too…I’m kinda like that uncle that you see that always have something to say but kinda let you grew up and Tacko is the baby.”
Both Blair and Fall are known for their shot blocking, but McBride is known for his offensive repertoire.
“I don’t jump anymore, so I just put my hands up,” said McBride. “So if I can tip it, that’s good, I’m just trying to get the rebound.”
McBride doesn’t have much ‘ups,’ but he is fundamentally sound with a high basketball IQ.
“We know how to utilize [McBride] when he does come in,” said Jones. “He’s been instant offense for us with the things we run for him…really proud of Justin and also how he’s handled his role.”
With 15:38 remaining in the second half, McBride showed he could do it all, sacrificing his body for a charge on defense; all 325 pounds of him went crashing to the floor.
“I heard charges hurt, I probably took one charge prior to that my whole entire basketball career,” said McBride. “But I knew I weren’t gonna block it and I knew he weren’t gonna float it…it hurts, I’ll tell you the truth, it really does, he kneed me in my stomach.”
“It was all impulse,” added McBride. “It was a big momentum play, so you just slide over and take it. I took it for my team and that’s what you gotta do sometimes.”
Photo courtesy of UCF Athletics Communications.
