Jan. 16, 2012
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On the bus ride from Huntington to Charleston late Saturday evening, UCF head coach Donnie Jones looked at his assistant, Shawn Finney, and said "We had a chance, didn't we?"
"We did and if someone would have said you have the ball down one with 14 seconds to go, we'd take our chance and get the shot we wanted," said Finney. "It just didn't fall."
And in the end, despite all the off-the-court hype, UCF and Marshall played a great college basketball game. The game was the not greatest display of basketball at times, but when it comes to drama and excitement both teams let no one down.
Despite the 65-64 setback, UCF handled the overflow crowd and fought through adversity several times to be in position to get a win, but two late Marshall free throws were the difference.
While most of the attention prior to this game was focused on Jones and his return to Huntington, fans of both teams should come away saying this was a hard-fought basketball game between two very good teams that look to be conference contenders this season.
In fact, one could make the argument that UCF-Marshall has become the league's biggest rivalry in basketball. Already a big game in football because of a longer history of playing, the basketball matchup is among the league's marquee games. It has reached that level not just because of the Jones storyline, but because both teams are very good.
Marshall is well coached and perhaps the most athletic team in the league and has shown an ability to win close games this season. UCF is actually a better team this season than the team that started 14-0 last season and earned a national ranking. This year's Knights are more poised and their experience is showing up late in games.
It easy to look back at the Marshall game and play what if. What if there was no call on Isaiah Sykes by officials for bumping Marshall head coach Tom Herrion? Video never showed clear evidence. What if Marcus Jordan had a better night shooting? What if there was a late whistle on UCF's final possession?
The fact is, on the road you cannot expect calls. You need to make plays. UCF did make plays to put itself in position down the stretch.
Trailing 60-53 with just under five minutes to play, UCF was one miss and a Marshall basket from having the game get away. Instead, UCF battled back with baskets by Tristan Spurlock and Sykes to pull within 60-57 with 3:21 to go. After several possessions, UCF captured its first lead since a 20-19 advantage in the first half when Josh Crittle scored to put UCF up 62-61 with 1:32 to play. After a Marshall basket, Keith Clanton had a tremendous put back on a Jordan miss and UCF was up 64-63 with 0:52 left. Following a defensive stop, Jordan missed the front end of a 1-and-1 and then Clanton was called for a foul on Marshall's DeAndre Kane with 14.5 seconds left. Clanton had fouled out and Kane hit both free throws to put Marshall up one.
Following a UCF timeout, Jones got what he wanted. A.J. Rompza got Jordan the ball and he drove into a crowded lane. His shot was off and Crittle was stripped on the offensive rebound and Marshall celebrated seconds later.
The win puts Marshall at 13-4 overall and 4-0 in the league and UCF now stands at 13-4 and 3-1. For the Marshall fans obsessed with letting Jones know how they still feel about his departure, they savored the moment. But my guess is there were plenty of fans among the 8,379 in attendance that felt like they saw a great game among two good teams that should battle among the league's top teams for a conference title.
But UCF's next game is their toughest. There is no time to dwell on the Marshall loss and wonder what if. The Memphis Tigers come to town on Wednesday. If you have not paid attention lately, Memphis is starting to play like...well like Memphis typically plays. The Tigers are 12-5 and 3-0 in C-USA and come to UCF off an 89-55 win at Houston.
If UCF is to be a real contender in the league, it must win its share of games against the expected contenders. There is no question C-USA is more balanced than ever, but Memphis remains a benchmark game.
Marshall comes to UCF on Feb. 8 and who knows, there may be a third meeting somewhere down the line in the conference tournament. But the showdown in Huntington was far more than about a former coach coming back home, it was a battle among the league bests who have much to do before their rematch.
Knights notes and more: Props to the UCF fans, not related to Donnie Jones, who proudly wore their black and gold and supported the Knights. That group included Jimmy Skiles, who worked with the UCF marketing office for years. Skiles is now at Virginia Tech but still bleeds black and gold...A Marshall fan who strongly expressed to me last year his feeling about Donnie Jones leaving for UCF and how much he dislikes UCF, came back to tell me how much he will miss UCF when the Knights leave for the BIG EAST because he will miss the rivalry. I still think he will not root for us in the future...To the many that have asked me why the game was not on television, I cannot answer that one. Memphis is the league's biggest ratings team on television, but everyone knew this game would have a packed house and great basketball environment. That is something the league needs showcased...Final thought: I am all for safety on planes, but if my seat is reclined back three inches upon landing is the safety of all other passengers really at risk?
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.