In a follow up of the roundtable from several weeks ago, the KnightNews.com Sports Department has returned for the latest edition of the UCF Sports Roundtable- this time with a focus on the 15-4 UCF Basketball team, who is coming off impressive wins over Memphis and UAB.
Plenty of things have happened with the Knights over the past month and the KnightNews writers are here to debate the hottest issues.
Once again, KnightNews Sports Editor Allen Levin, and assistant sports editors Nick Wilke and Anthony Scalco go 1-on-1-on-1 in the fourth edition of the KnightNews.com Sports Roundtable.
Tell us who you think wins the debate by commenting, e-mailing us at athletics@knightnews.com, or Tweeting us @KnightNewsSport
1) Over the last month, the Knights have lost seniors Jeff Jordan and Dwight McCombs. Who is the bigger loss, and how do you think the Knights will respond?
Allen Levin: While Jeff Jordan played well in A.J. Rompza’s absence, I think the loss of Dwight McCombs is much bigger for UCF. McCombs provided a big body in the middle and was a decent rebounder and shot blocker. The main thing the Knights will miss is his size, especially as they face the bigger teams in Conference-USA.
With Rompza having returned to the lineup after serving his 12-game suspension, Jordan’s minutes started to dwindle. Rompza leads C-USA in steals and is second in assists, and with Jeff’s brother Marcus also seeing a lot of minutes at point, it was evident that Jeff’s role on the team would diminish.
Fortunately for the Knights, they have depth in their frontcourt and most likely will be able to withstand the loss of McCombs, although he could have been very useful come tournament time. Josh Crittle will need to pick up a lot of the slack.
Nick Wilke: McCombs is obviously the bigger loss because he is a big, physical player who plays tough down low. Without McCombs in the lineup, Clanton, Gaynor and Spurlock will be forced to guard other big men, which is not what they are used to.
McCombs was used primarily for defense, so now others will have to step up to play physical defense down low against opposing big men. We know that Josh Crittle is a physical player, but he can’t play the whole game at center. I really think UCF will have a hard time defending and rebounding against bigger teams.
Anthony Scalco: Bigger loss is by far McCombs. UCF has lost there already weak depth at the center position and their frontcourt will feel this loss down the stretch. Jeff Jordan was giving you maybe 10 minutes a game of terrible basketball and with Rompza back in the rotation, Jordan is not needed.
2) After starting out conference play last year 1-8, the Knights are 5-1 currently. Are you convinced or still fearing a repeat of last year?
AL: After impressive wins over Memphis and UAB, two teams that UCF had never beaten in school history, I feel pretty convinced that the Knights are contenders.
The main difference between this year and last year is the team’s poise and maturity in the late part of games. The Knights are 3-2 in games decided by five points or less, and two of those victories are against UConn and Memphis. They have matured mightily since last season and now have the confidence and playmaking ability to succeed in close games.
I think they have a very good shot of winning the conference as they currently sit atop the league standings.
NW: I’m certainly convinced that the Knights won’t let a repeat of last year happen again. I’ve talked to several players about last season’s conference struggles, and all of them told me that they have it in the back of their minds, and that they learned from it.
Last season is in the past and the players are looking to improve from last year’s 5-11 conference record. Marshall is a good team and UCF played them close. The Knights proved their mettle with wins over Memphis and UAB.
AS: They’re now 5-1 and in first place. I am starting to slowly believe in the Knights’ chances of a first ever C-USA title. UCF could not win in conference, but has so far been able to get over the problem that plagued them. With quality wins, UCF has an at-large bid with a strong finish.
I assume they won’t beat a Memphis squad on the road who is not going to take that loss lightly and even with one other slip up could position themselves to be a 12 seed with a C-USA title and strong showing or victory in the C-USA Tournament. It won’t be easy though as it is in Memphis this year.
3) If the Knights are going to make a run for the C-USA title and a tournament bid, what overall improvements do they need to make as the season hits its stretch run?
AL: Even with the Knights strong record and impressive victories over tournament-caliber teams, I still think they need work on their offense as a whole. While Marcus Jordan, Keith Clanton and Isaiah Sykes are all capable scorers, there are still plenty of times where UCF goes through scoring droughts that allow their opponents to get back into games.
This is mainly a product of inconsistent shooting, especially from three-point line, where the Knights shoot an abysmal 3o percent, good enough for 310th in Division 1.
They also need to improve their free throw shooting. Clanton shoots a meager 58 percent from the charity stripe, while Sykes shoots 51.1 percent. Clanton and Sykes go to the line more than anyone on the team other than Jordan, who shoots a decent 73.6 percent. UCF will need to hit its free throws in close games, especially if they make the tournament when close games are a certainty.
NW: The team needs to have consistent outside shooting, but I don’t see that happening this season without Isaac Sosa, last season’s leader for the Knights. I also think that they need to play well on the road. Conference road games are always tough, so it’s expected that UCF will have a few losses on the road. UCF has won 15 straight at home, so I expect the Knights to protect home court.
4) What player will be the most instrumental for the Knights here on out as they vie for a NCAA Tournament bid?
AL: My first instinct says Keith Clanton, especially with the way he’s been playing as of late. However, I think the continued maturity and development of Isaiah Sykes will actually be more instrumental for the UCF basketball team.
While Clanton’s size, rebounding and scoring are highly needed, he continues to play his game on the perimeter more than he should. The Knights are at the best when he’s down low drawing double teams and scoring in the paint.
That’s why I think Sykes will be more important because of his athleticism and ability to get to the hole. Sykes has been a great slasher for the Knights this year and has made timely baskets in clutch situations. He has a great ability to draw fouls, and I think that will be huge come tournament time when UCF plays bigger teams.
NW: Keith Clanton. He has been playing very well in C-USA so far, averaging 15 points per game and eight rebounds so far during conference play, but he needs to keep this up for UCF to have any chance of winning the conference title. He has been playing a lot of minutes lately because Dwight McCombs has been suspended for the rest of the season.
Now, Clanton has been playing down low a lot more on offense and getting easy buckets off put-backs, instead of hanging out around the three-point line and relying on his mid-range game. I like how Clanton has been more defensive-minded without McCombs. Without McCombs in the lineup, UCF loses a big man who plays physical, but Clanton has shown that he is trying to play for physical to fill the void.
Clanton just needs to stay out of foul trouble. He fouled out of the Marshall game and played just 26 minutes in a losing effort. Expect big things coming from Clanton as the Knights look to capture the C-USA title.
AS: I think Clanton will be biggest for the Knights’ success. He is the team’s best big and was clutch against Memphis when he plays inside he’s polished and a good passer without much interior depth. His play is by far the most important to UCF’s success.
