Feb. 27, 2012
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - When Mike O'Donnell approached me after he finished playing at UCF, he wanted to know my thoughts about getting into broadcasting. After doing my best to convince O'Donnell to try anything else, he joined me courtside as my color analyst for home basketball games. Two years later, O'Donnell was not just a former player trying his hand at radio, he became a fan favorite for his knowledge of the game, his passion to get better and his sense of humor. So when O'Donnell chose to step into coaching, UCF fans asked me who might be taking his place. It didn't take long to identify a candidate both O'Donnell and I thought might be pretty good. When that guy didn't work out, we called Taylor Young. Just kidding, Young was an easy name to consider.
One season into the gig, this Young guy is working out. Taylor Young didn't come to UCF as a five-star recruit from The First Academy in Orlando. Young walked on and eventually earned a scholarship and the respect of his teammates. His hard work and knowledge of the game made a Young a respected teammate. While working a day job in the insurance industry, Young has followed O'Donnell quite well in his rookie season in the broadcast booth for UCF home games. He prepares for broadcasts and adds great insight and offers a humorous side as well. In addition, he easily out dresses me every game and looks more like a Wall Street trader than a radio color analyst. But while I thought Young would be good in his new broadcasting role, he has been even better. It's been a great home season for UCF basketball, posting a 15-1 record and Young has been rock solid in his debut season, performing like anything but a rookie.
Knights notes: What is 10 hours and 46 minutes? That would be the amount of time it took UCF and Boston College to play their three game series this weekend. UCF took two of three games, all decided by one run. Sunday's series finale ended with a Darnell Sweeney two-run single in the bottom of the ninth. No fault of either team, but one small suggestion for all umpires. Umps call balls and strikes and determine safe or out, but umps can also control pace of play. Not every batter should be allowed to step out of the box after every pitch and check their batting glove, helmet, the signs from their coach and anything else that slows a game down. The same goes for the constant visits to the mound by catchers to talk to pitchers. College baseball is a great game and a revenue-producing sport for many schools, but games simply cannot go close to the four hour mark on a consistent basis. You are asking too much from your fans...Speaking of baseball, UCF welcomse USF on Tuesday and travels to Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday before a home weekend series with Siena...Missed Isaiah Sykes' block Saturday against UTEP? Go find the video. It's worth your time. Sykes was incredible against the Miners scoring 23 points and playing lockdown defense. He's not averaging 20 points a game and I don't know if voters for all-conference have paid attention, but Sykes is without question worthy of such an honor...Understatement to say UCF's game at Memphis is big. If the Knights want to get back into bubble talk for an NCAA bid, they will likely have to win at the FedEx Forum on Tuesday. With two regular season games left, UCF can still secure a first round bye in the conference tournament, also slated for Memphis...Final thought: Sure I could have gone to many parties during the NBA All-Star Weekend but did I really want to be stopped by the paparazzi and be asked by entertainment reporters "what are you wearing?"
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.