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Speaker 1: He's time for a little no thea faux second can
get your prep gets you ready for this BA UCF matchup.
Speaker 2: UCF is a.
Speaker 1: Good basketball team, very good offensively. They are a little
bit poors defensively, but u they are ranked I believe
in the top fifty and Ken Palm. That's better than
many of the teams the bou has struggled against the season,
even when playing at home. We're gonna get to know
the foe and find out what they bring to the
marriage center tonight here on your UTI ESPN radio network
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All right, let's get out to the hotline. Let's get
to know the phone. We got Mark Daniels, the voice
of the UCF Knights on the line. Mark, how the
heck are.
Speaker 2: You, buddy?
Speaker 4: I'm doing good. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Always a pleasure talking ball with you. Mark.
Speaker 1: Look, this UCF team, how would you describe this season
and the identity of this squad?
Speaker 3: Well, that UCF is certainly outplayed what many people predicted
of the season, which was towards the bottom of the
Big Twelve. And the team that is totally new, every
player that will play tonight, that was not in this
roster last year, but had some nice wins early one
at Texas A and M beat some good mid major teams,
and then I think surprised some people early on in
the Big Twelve with some victories. A team that has
more than one option to score, which is different than
last year's team, which really relied on a couple of
players defensively that played well at time, struggled at times.
But it starts with the point guard. Themis folks who's
been really good this season, among the leaders in the
conference and country and assists per game, a guy that
doesn't rely on a three point shot. He's like another
coach of the four for Johnny Dawkins, and he's done
a great job. And you puts himself in a position
where every game is critical right now, you know, I
think maybe they're on the right side of the bubble today.
That bubble can change. But I think us in a
position that a lot of people didn't think they'd be.
And when the season began back in November.
Speaker 1: Yeah, this roster can get definitely get buckets. When ky
Kevin Young was asked on about a scouting report on UCF,
you said, there's a lot of great one on one players,
guys that can create off the bounce and score in droves.
How would you describe the offensive proficiency and talents of
the squad?
Speaker 3: Yeah, they've had a variety of guys that have stepped
up and had big games, and I think, you know,
good part is they don't need any one particular player.
You know, from Riley Cougle who leads a team in scoring.
Jordan Burks is a tough matchup. He's a six to
eight guy that's a great corner three shooter, can also
get to the basket. Demus Folks I mentioned before, is
everything about thirteen points a game. They've got a couple
of three point shooters that come off the bench.
Speaker 4: So, you know, I think the.
Speaker 3: Missure of this team is a spread scoring out so
that you can't take so much away with one guy.
Last year, UCF had two key scores, Keyshawn Hall, who
you know was top of the conference and scoring last year.
He's at Afering putting up great numbers this year. Darius
Johnson was a four year point guard for UCF. Those
two guys were really the key scorers. This is a
team that has you know, Variona scoring out options for
them and need their guys to play their role. U
SEEF is at its best when everybody does what they're
good at, and if you do that, you give yourself
a chance to win. Where they've struggled is when the
shots don't fall and their defense is not on, then
they get a chance, and then they kind of lose
opportunities to stay in basketball games. That's going to be
a challenge tonight for UCF.
Speaker 1: This BYU basketball team seems to be finding its stride.
You look at the the records, you look at you know,
in the Big twelve and overall the b YU and
UCF they look evenly matched. Why is BYU favored so
heavily in this game? For Vegas and for some of
the analytics out there right now? Do you think mark.
Speaker 3: Probably eighteen two hundred people to create a crazy atmosphere
that I think is one of the best.
Speaker 4: In college basketball?
Speaker 3: You know, by US at home, very tough team to beat,
certainly one of the best players in the country. You know,
despite a great score and a great player, still a
very talented roster. You know, I can't speak for what
somebody thinks the margin is. I understand that, you know,
the UCF would come as an underdog here. UCF's also
not been a healthy basketball team the last couple of weeks,
and certainly BHYU lost a key player. We got guys
playing tonight that kind of limped through the Utah game
the other night, which uc have found a way to win.
You know, there's some guys that are questionable if they'll
play tonight. There's some guys that are going to play
tonight that are banged up. It's an interesting stretch for UCF.
You know, this is just me. I think UCF's got
to get the ten conference wins to feel like they're
on the right side of the bubble.
Speaker 4: They've got eight.
Speaker 3: You know, people may say, you know, probably nine to nine.
I think, just because of our lack of history in
the tournament, we have minis since twenty nineteen in building
a basketball brand, we probably need another win. So tonight
we go home for a couple of games of better
Oklahoma State and.
Speaker 4: At West Virginia.
Speaker 3: Four games. I mean, you want to win them all.
But I think for uc if it's important to get
a couple, we're going to, you know, certainly try to
compete tonight. A roster not completely healthy, everyone's banged up,
so or why the margin may be where?
Speaker 2: You know?
Speaker 3: Again, I think it's a respect for BYU, the talent
they have and a tough place to play.
Speaker 1: Yeah, what is the scouting report? I mean, b what
has been decimated by injuries?
Speaker 2: Right now?
Speaker 1: When you watch this team play, what do you see
and what have you conversed with the coaching staff about?
Is they prep for this Cougar basketball team?
Speaker 3: Well, I mean clearly, losing again, like Richie Saunders is.
Speaker 4: Going to hurt anybody.
Speaker 3: He's been such a great player for BYU and watching
him the last couple of years. But there's still a
ton of talent there and obviously it's more than the
sayde Devonsa. The front lines are concerned for UCF. Our
front line has done a decent job at times, are
got to stay have found trouble. It's it's also the
rebound and kickout pass. UCF's got to get back transition.
Defense have to protect the basketball because particularly the home
BYU can turn your mistakes into baskets, and he had
a void that eight point ten all run that takes
a two point game makes it to twelve or fourteen points.
It'll be interesting to see how UCF goes about defending
AJ tonight.
Speaker 4: Again.
Speaker 3: We got some guys are going to play that are
banged up, and that's going to impact UCF. I think defensively,
we mixed up defense and ended up playing a lot
of two to two one zone against Utah one. We
needed to change things to say, were getting too easy
baskets inside the paint, and also we just had guys
that are struggling out there. And like I said, everybody's
dealing with injuries. It's no excuse, but sometimes you got
to make a game plan that's going to help you
get minutes out of guys that aren't hundred percent.
Speaker 2: Yes, it's a crazy time in the Big twelve.
Speaker 1: I would say, because I think anybody can beat anybody
on any night.
Speaker 2: I mean I think UCF can be BYU tonight.
Speaker 1: You watch what b YU did, how they struggled very
recently against a Colorado team that kind of feels similar
to that of UCF. Really good offensively, not as good
defensively and they came in and took.
Speaker 2: BYU to ot not too long ago.
Speaker 1: What do you make of how would you evaluate the
Big Twelve top to bottom and how anybody can beat anybody,
compete with anybody on any given night.
Speaker 3: Well, I think you have to respect with from the
top part of the league, you know. I think clearly
teams like Houston and Iowa State, you know, Texas Tech
when they were healthy BYU for a period of time,
you know, and obviously Kansas teams that have been up there.
I think you after respect clearly. B why you got
off to a great start and hit, you know, bumping
the road a little bit. I think what's what's changed
a bit from our perspective at UCF and this is
just a thirtieth the Big Twelve, you know, is being
able to now compete with that other group where we
were fighting to just get some wins early on. And
I do think that in this conference when you get
to seven through sixteen, you know, I don't know if
there's a ton of difference. I think the difference sometimes
is you got some veteran guys that can win games
late for you. You've got some guys that make some shots.
But you know, there is no easy place to play
in this league. Everybody's got talent. Something is a little
bit more than a But if you get hot and
can shoot the basketball, you can compete with anybody. We've
had some big wins this year. You know, we did
beat Kansas, we did beat Texas Tech. And you know,
if shots fall, then you know.
Speaker 4: Anybody came at anybody.
Speaker 3: I think that may be an argument about the Big
Ten and sec of being deeper. I would challenge that
because I think it's it's it's a little bit of
a lack of respect to the bottom part of the
Big twelve because of some of the bigger brands up top.
But you know, I would just tell people, you know,
go to some of the places in this league on
the road and it's not easy to win. And you know,
go to Colorado, I don't care where the record is.
That's a hard place to play sometimes. And you know what,
despite the record that the Utah had, I mean, they
came off a big win when he got West Virginia.
We went to that place and their crowd was allowed
into the game, and you know, we barely survived so
night in a night own. That's what makes this league,
in my opinion, the best league in the country. And
you challenge yourself and you know if you can, if
you can go through this league eighteen games and you
win nine to ten conference games, I think you earned
the right to play in the Insta League tournament. I
would put this league and it's stepped up against anybody.
Speaker 1: Give me a little scouting report on UCF. Who are
the players?
Speaker 3: You know?
Speaker 1: If b WU fans are prepping for this game, which numbers,
which names do they need to know? Is they prep
their their scattering reports on this UCF Night's.
Speaker 3: Team, Well point guard themis folks. Number one is you
know the key for UCF. He'll play a ton of
minutes tonight and famous is again one of the best
guys in assistant of the conference of the country. He's
turned the ball over a little bit the last couple
of weeks to try to make some things happen, but
for the most part, he's been really efficient for the Knights.
Doesn't need a three point shot, really take the three
point shot, very effective in driving inside the paint, headfake,
shoot over bigger player, or kick it out for three
to Michael Stillwell was a teammate of themis at Milwaukee
last year. Both came to UCF. Still was a kind
of an undersized power forward, kind of a wide body
guy that you look up and he's like, oh, he's
got twelve and nine. He'll get ugly points for you.
He'll know he'll grab an offensive rebound to extended possession.
Jordan Burk's number ninety nine. He's a really effective outside
shooter for UCF. Corner three is his sweet spot, but
because of his size at six', eight not afraid to
get inside the, paint beg into the free throw.
Speaker 4: Line you. Know after, that we'll see About Rodney google
with his ankle.
Speaker 3: Injury didn't play in the game Against. Utah we'll see about.
Tonight roddy's a guy that can get a shot, outside
can also dove to the basket of veteran player From,
orlando what stops At florida And Mississippi state before coming
to Uc then just some you, know a key role
players FOR. Ucf they've got a seven to two, Center
John bold that starts And john you know really inside
the paint and clock things. Stuff not a huge shot,
blocker but he alters. Shots shoots seventy five percent because
most of his stuff is two three feet out and
then some key three point shooters FOR ucf to come
off the. Bench Carmelo, Pacheco George, beale back of point,
guard you, Know Chris. Johnson so you, know FOR ucf
in games like, this they need to AS i, said
WELL i think we. Started they needed players to do
what they're good. At if you're a three point, shooter
knock down a shot or. Two you, know if you're
a guy that's going to be inside the paint box,
out don't GET byu second and third, chances avoid foul
troubles and limit turnovers and avoid the. Runs that's a
mix anybody needs in the mode in this. Conference FOR,
ucf and you know we're down to four games and for,
everybody FOR, byu you want, to you, know get the
best possible seating FOR. Ucf you're trying to make sure
you're the right side of the. Bubble you're trying to
stay healthy as you, can and that's what makes these games.
Speaker 4: Exciting in Late, February.
Speaker 1: Mark i've asked this question to a few. PEOPLE i
believe THAT ucf is AN ncaa tournament. Team what do
you see do you think that this team will be
AN ncaa tournament.
Speaker 3: Team, WELL i, Mean i'm going to be biased and say,
yes BUT i also you, KNOW i THINK i said
EARLIER i BELIEVE ucf is fighting brand awareness a little,
bit which means to me that you probably need one
more win than you. Think and, again this is a
team picked fourteenth in the. League so if you'd told, me,
hey you're going to go to that game in Late
FEBRUARY byu with a nineteen and seven record and an
eight and sixth record in The big, TWELVE i would
have signed up for. That so, AGAIN i think ten
wins is really critical FOR ucf or they get in
what nine, maybe BUT i do think they fight some rand.
Awareness it's been seven years since twenty nineteen and we
were in THE Ncaa tournament with a team that won
a game lost to due to the, buzzer but we
haven't had that tournament. Pedigree SO i think to feel,
safe you've got to maybe get one more. Win and
it also depends on what, metric you, KNOW i, mean people, going,
well you know this year it's ned or It's ken,
palm or now we got wins above. Bubble that's like
the biggest. Metric that people. Use don't pick your poison
For Ken. PALM ucf may not be great for, net
they're okay for wins above. Bubble they're really good inside
the top. Thirty so if you tell me the committee's
going to emphasize, that THEN i feel really. Good but
who knows when that committee gets behind the. Doors you
hope you can't take the guessing part out of. It
what would be ideal FOR ucf is can you get
to that ten, conference Win mark even eleven and not
have to worry about going To Kansas city and maybe
winning two three games where maybe go To Kansas city
with the. Comfort, HEY i think we're safely, in ALTHOUGH
i don't you know until your name's on that, BOARD
i don't know if anybody feels.
Speaker 1: Safe is there to take a word From Brett, jrmark
is there a celebrit celebritization that needs to occur? Too
and then you see if they don't have like a
marquee PLAYER aj Or Darren peterson or Or kingston what have.
Speaker 3: YOU i, mean it may be and and you, Know
i'm not quite sure just somewhere our budget is that
that's going to be changing anytime. SOON i, mean you
just had a really good, season and IF i had to,
guess you, know our budget might be where people projected
us to be this, season near the bottom of the.
Conference that's. OKAY i mean you've got to do things
a little bit different to each school does what they
feels best for. Them And i'm not quite sure we're
about to be landing the one and done guys for
a variety of. Reasons but the biggest thing FOR ucat
is to start to get consistent where you're now making
the tournament year and in year, out or you're in the,
hunt BECAUSE i think that just. HELPS i, mean the committee's.
Human we argue about it in football all the, time
AND i think the same thing applies in basketball when
it gets the. Bubble you, KNOW i think their resume
as quality wins that stand That TEXAS a AND m
win early the season looks really good FOR ucf right
now and again Beating Texas, tech Beating, kansas and you,
know some of the other wins we've gotten the conference looks.
Good but you just don't know what a committee's going to.
Do what happens to some teams that we're projected to
have good years that are on the.
Speaker 4: BUBBLE i would just hope if.
Speaker 3: This team gets twenty one regular season wins or twenty,
two that you're not trying to weigh them against you,
know And i'll like An auburn team they may have thirteen.
Speaker 4: Losses it would just be, like you, know are we
just doing a brand?
Speaker 3: Here but that's that's something THAT ucf is going to
fight until you put some consistent seasons together where you
make in the.
Speaker 1: Tournament Mark, Daniels ladies and, gentlemen good luck on your,
call not that you need, It, mark best way to
support you what you, do how you do. It if
the listeners want to tune into your voice during this, game.
Speaker 3: Just On twitter or ex OF Ucf Mart daniels and
you can find me there and should be a fun
nights THAT i think obviously you KNOW ucf nos are
stepping into a great, environment looking forward to it and
LIKE i said Late february basketball where every game.
Speaker 4: Matters what more could jazz?
Speaker 1: For is The Mary center of the best? Venue do
you think you visit around The big twelve or what's
the best?
Speaker 2: Environment would you, say, well.
Speaker 3: Well careful now IF i go To, KANSAS i have
to Say, kansas IF i go To.
Speaker 4: AAMES i gotta, Say, AMES i will say, this will.
Speaker 3: Listen this is my thirty first year AT, usef So
i've done everything from The, attack which is now The
Atlantic sun and here are The Big twelve and having
gone Around utah was the last Place i've not done
a game, at but certainly going To hilton And, ames
certainly going to Fog. Allen AND i think the game
day presentation At marriott is. Fantastic it's an awesome. Environment
AND i told you if you want a bucket list
of places to. Go we did a preseason game At
duke this. Year i'd never done a game Of cameron was.
Fantastic BUT i tell people go To provo and watch
the game day. Presentation it's what YOU i, mean you
want college basketball to be like. THAT i MEAN i
would hope our players welcome the opportunity BECAUSE i do
think it's a great.
Speaker 1: Atmosphere, mark we should literally we appreciate. That thanks you
for spending some time with us. Today so let us
get to know The.
Speaker 4: Foe thank, you, guys appreciate.
Speaker 1: It Mark, daniels voice of THE Ucf. Nights that, segment,
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