PHILADELPHIA (UCFKnights.com) - A trio of UCF men's basketball players and head coach Johnny Dawkins were in Philadelphia, Pa., Monday morning at the American Athletic Conference's annual media day. The Knights' captains A.J. Davis, B.J. Taylor and Matt Williams accompanied the first-year head coach to the league event, which featured interview sessions with a number of national media outlets, including ESPN, CBS Sports and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
.@American_MBB Media Day has begun! #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/i6sgPOHHuQ
— UCF Men's Hoops (@UCF_MBB) October 24, 2016
.@Coach_Dawkins starts @American_MBB Media Day off going 1-on-1 with @CBSSportsNet #ChargeOn #AmericanHoops pic.twitter.com/ZC2rISlzdv
— UCF Men's Hoops (@UCF_MBB) October 24, 2016
Knights striking some poses during their photo shoot at @American_MBB Media Day#ChargeOn #AmericanHoops pic.twitter.com/5TcXXgiAAI
— UCF Men's Hoops (@UCF_MBB) October 24, 2016
It was great to catch up with the new head coach for @ucf_mbb and junior A.J. Davis#AmericanHoops pic.twitter.com/5ym79t5qDp
— American MBB (@American_MBB) October 24, 2016
One highlight of the event was getting Coach Dawkins together with UConn head coach Kevin Ollie and Tulane's new head coach Mike Dunleavy for a picture showcasing three decades of former Philadelphia 76ers' players. Dunleavy was the first to play for the Sixers, getting drafted in 1976 and playing one season in The City of Brotherly Love. Dawkins played in Philly from 1989-1994, and Ollie had three stints with the 76ers between 1999 and 2008.
Three former @Sixers now coaching in the @American_Conf! #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/ZE76YaFdlq
— UCF Men's Hoops (@UCF_MBB) October 24, 2016
The Knights wrapped up the day with a live interview on The American Digital Network featuring Coach Dawkins and fellow first-year UCF head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. UCF is the lone school in the league with both programs having new coaches to start the 2016-17 seasons.
Wrapping up Media Day by going live on the @American_DN w/ @Coach_Dawkins & @COACH_ABE #ChargeOn #AmericanHoops pic.twitter.com/jQrXVcYSmJ
— UCF Men's Hoops (@UCF_MBB) October 24, 2016
The American released the preseason coaches poll on Monday, as well, and UCF was picked to finish eighth this coming year. Last season, the Knights finished eighth in the league with a 6-12 record.
Both @UCF_MBB and @UCF_WBB finished No. 8 in the #AAC preseason polls. Cincy picked to win the mbb and UConn, of course, picked to win wbb
— Shannon Green (@osknights) October 24, 2016
UCF opens the 2016-17 season on Nov. 14 at CFE Arena against Nicholls State. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.