Just a quick report:
UCF never fell behind during the game against the Maryland East Shore Hawks, which is a weak team this year. Tacko disrupted their game in the paint, because almost every time he was on the floor, they chose not to attack, even actually attacking and then dribbling back to the perimeter (which was hysterical). When they did he got some good blocks, but he doesn't have Hassan's gluey mitts. Tacko swats the ball so sometimes it ends up with a defender and sometimes not.
So, his line was 10 pts, 11 rebounds, 3 assists (all to Matt Williams to hit 3s), and 2 blocks. 4 PF in 23 minutes of play. His usage rate was not very high in this game. Honestly, it wasn't a great test, because, as I mentioned, the Hawks decided to play away from him.
I'll tell you what was impressive, though. I saw many of the same players last year, but Jonnie Dawkins, the new coach, has fostered a feisty spirit on the defense. Four attack players on the perimeter and if they break through they have to lay it up against a 7'6" giant, so mostly they choose the jump shot.
I also have to point out that his assists were just brilliant. He is often double or even triple-teamed and he passes the ball well out to his teammates who are (of course) open. What they are missing - and it's glaringly apparent - is a player to slash into the paint on the offensive side, who can take it to the rim, or pass it to Tacko Fall for an easy dunk. If they had this player or could make him out of the ones they have (Tank Efianayi is closest), this team would go far. As it is, based on Matt WIlliams's excellent 3-point shooting, AJ Davis guard skills, and Tacko, I still see them challenging the AAC championship (vs UConn etc). Right now the RPI is 0.6203, which is 28th. Their only loss was to Villanova.
Anyway, I'll see another game before the conference play starts, hopefully against better opposition.
P.S. Another guy I liked was Chad Brown. He didn't put up great numbers, but he had a clutch block and finished an alley-oop that was a joy to watch. Really, though, UMES was no test.
