With football season coming to an end, all eyes should turn to UCF men’s hoops because they are good, folks. Temple came into this matchup sporting a 10-2 record with some notable wins over Missouri and Davidson, to name a few. Starting conference play off with a win against one of the best teams in the American was huge for Coach Dawkins and his team.

Highlights

Three in the Key

1. Unsung Hero

Terrell Allen has really transformed into a key part of this team despite not getting the praise guys like Aubrey, Tacko and B.J. get. He had 11 points against Temple but lead the team with 7 assists and was second in rebounds behind Tacko Fall. He’s shooting 50.6% on the season and 53.6% from the 3 point line. He may not get all the glory, but his production shows how important of a role he plays.

2. Struggles at the Charity Stripe

UCF shot just 57.1% from the free throw line, an area where they’ve struggled for the past 2 seasons. They’re shooting 62.8% on the season which is 331st in the country. As conference play heats up and the Knights make a push for the postseason, these shots make the difference between a win or a loss to a good team.

3. Best Start Since 2010/11

UCF started the 2010/11 season 14-0 with wins over USF, #18 Florida and Miami. Although the Knights aren’t undefeated, this is still their best start since that season. As conference play begins, the Knights will look to continue their success with the hopes of winning the conference and making the tournament.

Knight of the Night

B.J. Taylor. He led UCF with 24 points in 36 minutes on the court. Like I said earlier in the season, there’s a good chance he might be winning this award pretty frequently. There’s not doubt he’s the catalyst for this squad.

The Big Number

Tacko Fall: 16 Points, 11 Rebounds. This is Tacko’s 21st career double-double and a testament to how much he’s progressed throughout his 4 years at UCF. His presence on the court is definitely going to be needed if the Knights want to continue their success.

Who’s Got Next?

UCF heads to Hartford, CT to take on UConn this Sunday, January 5th at 12 p.m. The game will be on ESPNews.