Jan. 2, 2012
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The last time UCF fans got to celebrate on Beale Street in Memphis it was New Year's Ever last year when the Knights defeated Georgia to win the Liberty Bowl. A celebration on Beale in mid-March would mean a Conference USA Tournament title. The long journey of a conference season begins and after a two-year hiatus, the league's signature basketball event returns to FedEx Forum in just over two months. But before the four day tournament crowns a champion with an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament, the season of hardwood happenings begins.
Depending on who you ask of who might know, UCF is picked anywhere from second to seventh in preseason polls. That is both a statement on how wide open the league is and how others are not sure what to make of UCF's 10-3 start.
The conference slate begins with an improved Tulane squad that comes to the UCF Arena on Wednesday. The Green Wave stand at 12-2 and have a win over Georgia Tech.
For years, it has been Memphis and everyone else in Conference USA. But this season is truly as wide open as it has ever been since UCF joined the league in 2005.
Despite an 8-5 start, Memphis is still loaded and has the deepest list of talent on paper. But paper does not win titles and Memphis will be tested. However, the Tigers do host the conference tournament and are a very tough out at home.
Southern Miss is 13-2 and has wins at Arizona State and victories at home over Ole Miss and USF. One of their two losses is to one of the few unbeatens left in college basketball, Murray State. The Golden Eagles are athletic and can run the floor and will be a contender in the conference.
Marshall was good last year and they are much better this season. They have talented guards and depth up front and are playing with a swagger. They have won at Cincinnati, split two games with Belmont and hung with Syracuse on the road.
Houston has a win at Arkansas and has built a solid club in their second year under Jim Dickey. Rice has veterans playing well and despite slow starts, UTEP and UAB are getting better. So where does that leave UCF?
The Knights have quality wins over UConn, Charleston and Old Dominion. UCF's 10-3 record might have been what prognosticators guessed before the season started. But Donnie Jones' team has posted that mark with a full roster for just one game.
There have been good moments such and there are moments that UCF has played down to opponents. The team has also struggled to build on leads and allowed teams to stay in games.
The return of A.J. Rompza will help in many ways. Rompza dished out six assists in his first game of the season against Rhode Island. Rompza's minutes allows Marcus Jordan to move back to his normal position of off-guard and allow him to focus more on scoring.
Rompza also provides much needed senior leadership. Despite being the smallest player on UCF's roster, he has the ability of getting into to someone's face if needed. It's something UCF has missed and it's an area Rompza thrives in.
Marcus Jordan has played well in the non-conference portion of the schedule. Now, Jordan will face teams who have seen him for two years and know his game. Defenses will try and take away his strengths and Marcus will need adapt and overcome their adjustments.
Keith Clanton has the ability of scoring 24 points and pulling down 12 rebounds a game. Can he do that in C-USA? Very few big men have the outside shooting range or the passing ability that Keith offers. But UCF will need his low post game in league play and his shot blocking ability. And count Clanton among the Knights shooting below their career average at the free throw line. That is something Clanton must improve on.
Isaiah Sykes is a different player compared to last season. Sykes is one of the most talented players in the conference. He can play defense, run the break, grab offensive rebounds and play with an attitude. Sykes has the game to average 14 and 10 in league play because he is such a tough matchup.
Tristan Spurlock has shown the ability of making shots. But UCF needs more from the transfer from Virginia. He can sky for rebounds and Spurlock will likely benefit from Rompza's return because A.J. can get the ball in places for Spurlock to score. But UCF needs consistency from Spurlock who also is a tough matchup for opponents because of his size.
Donnie Jones needs productions from his centers. Josh Crittle and Dwight McCombs must give the Knights something each game. Crittle has shown flashes and offers a nice soft outside shooting touch.
P.J. Gaynor, Jeff Jordan and UCF's crop of freshman in Rod Days, Kasey Wilson and Wayne Martin must play their roles and there will be nights each gets a chance to help their team win a game.
The goal is to win all your conference home games and try and win half your road games. That will not be easy. UCF opens at home against Tulane and then it's off to East Carolina. The Pirates swept UCF for the first time last season. Then it's back home for Houston before a huge road test at Marshall.
Unlike last season where UCF's 14-0 start gave them a national ranking and a high RPI, UCF has work to do in the RPI department but will get a chance as the league currently has four teams in the top 100, with UCF among the four.
The road to Memphis and the conference tournament begins Wednesday. UCF has high expectations and looks forward to the challenge. Let the games begin.
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports on ESPN Radio 1080 in Orlando.