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The UCF Knights will host the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles once more in next season's non-conference slate, first reported by Alex Rosinki on Monday afternoon.
FGCU will return to the Addition Financial Arena on Nov. 2, with a $90,000 guarantee. UCF emerged victorious in last season's matchup, blowing its opponent out by 22 points (102-80).
Coach Johnny Dawkins' squad set a program record by nailing 19 three-pointers, eclipsing the previous school-high 17 threes. Former Knights forward Jordan Burks led the way shooting 6-for-11 from beyond the arc.
Eagles defenders couldn't contain Burks' off-ball movement, often losing him. He'd sprint into open spaces, and his teammates found him wide open to punish the defense with three points.
The blowout pushed UCF's win streak to eight straight en route to a historic 11-1 non-conference record in the Dawkins era.
Last season, there were no connections between these two programs that created a storyline. Now, there is with the addition of transfer forward Isaiah Malone.
Malone spent his junior season with Florida Gulf Coast and became the best defensive player in the ASUN conference. He earned ASUN Defensive Player of the Year for leading the league with 60 blocks in the regular season, and tacked four more in the ASUN Tournament.
His 64 blocks were the second-most blocks in a single season for the program, behind Kevin Samuel. Samuel recorded 96 blocks in the 2021-22 season, and that record is likely to remain unbroken for a long time.
The FGCU transfer had 10 games with three or more blocks, including a career-best six blocks against UFTL on Dec. 28.
Dawkins added a 6-foot-8 forward who fits how UCF plays basketball: hard-nosed, physical defense. His prowess on the defensive end is much-needed for a program that allowed 78.4 points (12th worst in the Big 12).
Malone's defensive impact will benefit the Knights this season, and the Eagles are on the opposing side of his rim protection.
He is one of seven transfers that are part of UCF's retool after the program lost all four of its top scorers. Jamichael Stillwell will transfer to Texas Tech upon a successful injunction granting him an additional year of eligibility; Riley Kugel and Themus Fulks are pursuing their NBA dreams in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers, and Burks transferred to Oklahoma State.
FGCU will stand in the way of UCF's path to non-conference dominance and will reunite with a former Eagle, who is aiding its opponent.
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FGCU will return to the Addition Financial Arena on Nov. 2, with a $90,000 guarantee. UCF emerged victorious in last season's matchup, blowing its opponent out by 22 points (102-80).
Coach Johnny Dawkins' squad set a program record by nailing 19 three-pointers, eclipsing the previous school-high 17 threes. Former Knights forward Jordan Burks led the way shooting 6-for-11 from beyond the arc.
Eagles defenders couldn't contain Burks' off-ball movement, often losing him. He'd sprint into open spaces, and his teammates found him wide open to punish the defense with three points.
The blowout pushed UCF's win streak to eight straight en route to a historic 11-1 non-conference record in the Dawkins era.
Last season, there were no connections between these two programs that created a storyline. Now, there is with the addition of transfer forward Isaiah Malone.
Malone spent his junior season with Florida Gulf Coast and became the best defensive player in the ASUN conference. He earned ASUN Defensive Player of the Year for leading the league with 60 blocks in the regular season, and tacked four more in the ASUN Tournament.
His 64 blocks were the second-most blocks in a single season for the program, behind Kevin Samuel. Samuel recorded 96 blocks in the 2021-22 season, and that record is likely to remain unbroken for a long time.
The FGCU transfer had 10 games with three or more blocks, including a career-best six blocks against UFTL on Dec. 28.
Dawkins added a 6-foot-8 forward who fits how UCF plays basketball: hard-nosed, physical defense. His prowess on the defensive end is much-needed for a program that allowed 78.4 points (12th worst in the Big 12).
Malone's defensive impact will benefit the Knights this season, and the Eagles are on the opposing side of his rim protection.
He is one of seven transfers that are part of UCF's retool after the program lost all four of its top scorers. Jamichael Stillwell will transfer to Texas Tech upon a successful injunction granting him an additional year of eligibility; Riley Kugel and Themus Fulks are pursuing their NBA dreams in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers, and Burks transferred to Oklahoma State.
FGCU will stand in the way of UCF's path to non-conference dominance and will reunite with a former Eagle, who is aiding its opponent.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundtable-rtb/id6450423049) and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
