UCF Basketball: Fall, defense vital to Knights’ solid AAC start

By Andrew Nostvick | Jan 18, 2017

Jan 14, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights center Tacko Fall (24) guards against Houston Cougars guard Rob Gray Jr. (32) during the second half of an NCAA men's basketball game at CFE Federal Credit Union Arena. UCF won 77-70. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

UCF basketball has proven itself to be one of the best defenses in the nation thanks in part to its solid base at center in sophomore Tacko Fall

The Central Florida Knights will need to rely on two important things in order to make the NCAA Tournament this season: Their defense and their star center Tacko Fall.

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Fall, a 7’6” sophomore from Senegal, is the centerpiece of one of the best defenses not only in the AAC but also the NCAA. The Knights lead the NCAA in opponent field goal percentage (.341) and two-point field goal percentage (.380). Additionally, UCF is third in the NCAA in points allowed per game with 58.6.

Fall’s presence in the paint has played a significant role in UCF’s 14-4 start this season, which includes an 86-64 win over South Florida Tuesday night.

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His height no doubt gives him an advantage, as he leads the AAC in all rebounding percentage categories. Fall is second in rebounding in the AAC, averaging 10.3 boards per game. If that’s not enough, Fall is second in the nation in field goal percentage with .794. Fall has done this despite playing only 26 minutes per night.

He hasn’t played a game over 35 minutes since the Miami (OH) win Dec. 18 when he scored a season-high 31 points. In Tuesday’s game versus USF, Fall had 10 points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes of play.

With Fall, as well as the team’s leading scorers Matt Williams (16.3 points) and B.J. Taylor (16.0 points), UCF has a chance to make noise over the next month and a half. If all continues to go well, they could make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005, which certainly benefits first-year head coach Johnny Dawkins.

The lone conference loss for UCF came Jan. 8 on the road to UConn. They also have a 10-point non-conference loss to the defending national champions, Villanova. The Knights most noteworthy non-conference win came against Mississippi State on Nov. 17. In addition to the USF win, the Knights also have conference wins over both Temple and Houston.

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UCF faces two tough tests over the next week. They play Memphis on Sunday. Then next Wednesday, the Knights face SMU. A win over both teams would keep UCF on the heels of the Cincinnati Bearcats, who are at the top of the AAC standings.