ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – It's finally game week for the UCF men's basketball team. After a long offseason of work, the Knights are ready to open up the 2017-18 season this Friday, hosting Mercer at 8 p.m. at CFE Arena.
2017-18 PREVIEW – WINGS
The Knights are loaded with depth on the wing.
In his fourth season in Orlando and his fifth overall, A.J. Davis is finally a senior. The Atlanta native spent his freshman season at Tennessee before transferring to UCF to don the black and gold. Davis, son of former NBA All Star Antonio Davis, was an integral piece of the Knights' success under head coach Johnny Dawkins last season.
Davis, who led UCF in scoring and rebounding two years ago, took on more of a facilitating role as an upperclassman last season. The veteran was a jack-of-all-trades, as he finished 2016-17 fourth on the team in scoring (8.3), second in rebounding (7.0), second in assists (74) and second in steals (27).
Playing on the wing, in the post, or at the point, Davis is ready to lead the Knights in his final go of collegiate basketball.
A.J. DAVIS
- 2016-17: 8.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 86 FTs made
- Career Highs: 23 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals
AJ for three as we continue this 15-0 run.
— UCF Men's Basketball (@UCF_MBB) March 10, 2017
19-10 with 11:03 to play in the first. #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/OrOcPYlKc7
We are just ONE MONTH from basketball.
— UCF Men's Basketball (@UCF_MBB) October 10, 2017
This is @AJDavis3!#ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/Rw4hLIxN4m
After missing all of last season, Chance McSpadden is ready to return for the Knights in 2017-18. The smooth lefty has fully recovered from his knee injury and looks to add firepower on the wing and in the backcourt for the Knights.
As a true freshman in 2015-16, McSpadden showed signs of excellence on both ends of the floor. He scored in double figures seven times, highlighted by his 21-point outing in a win at Stetson.
CHANCE MCSPADDEN
- 2015-16: 5.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 82.4 FT%
- Career Highs: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals
The Knights brought in a pair of freshmen that will help bolster the Knights' depth on the wing in Myles Douglas and Daniel Lewis, Djordjije Mumin, who contributed in games last season as a junior, returns for his finals season, and Dayon Griffin joins the group after sitting out all of last season.
A native of St. Petersburg, Griffin transferred to UCF from Louisiana Tech last year. Griffin was known to light it up from the outside in his first two season of collegiate basketball, knocking down 56 three-pointers as a sophomore at Louisiana Tech.
Griffin scored in double figures 19 times in 2015-16, including games of 22, 28, and 29 points. He hit multiple threes in 14 games and connected on a career best seven triples against Charlotte.
DAYON GRIFFIN
- 2015-16: 11.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 57 3PFGs
- Career Highs: 29 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 3PFGs
Time to show out. ??
— UCF Men's Basketball (@UCF_MBB) October 19, 2017
This is Chance McSpadden! pic.twitter.com/oYlgxMHAQY
He's ready to get on ?? at CFE Arena.
— UCF Men's Basketball (@UCF_MBB) October 31, 2017
This is Dayon Griffin! pic.twitter.com/9xL9UzKFlH
Aubrey Dawkins was line up to play a significant role this season as well, but it was announced last week that he will miss the 2017-18 season due to an injury.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign are on sale now. Fans looking to purchase tickets can call (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFKnights.com to secure them today. For men's basketball tickets CLICK HERE.
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