Central Florida Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Knights

HARTFORD, CT - MARCH 11: Tacko Fall #24 of the UCF Knights looks on during the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the semifinal round of the AAC Basketball Tournament at the XL Center on March 11, 2017 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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HARTFORD, CT – MARCH 11: Fall /

Central Florida basketball has struggled in recent seasons, but they look to be on the rise. How will the 2017-18 season for the Knights?

Since arriving into the newly formed American Athletic Conference, the Central Florida Knights have been a bottom-of-the-barrel program. Central Florida has struggled no matter the conference affiliation recently, but maybe it is time for that to change.

Even with a shortened bench, last season fared far better than imagined. Part of it was due to the high scoring backcourt of BJ Taylor and Matt Williams, but most of it was the stifling defense led by 7’6″ Tacko Fall.

The team finished last season with a 24-12 record and finished over .500 in the AAC for the first time. They even made a run in the NIT before losing to the eventual champions in TCU.

One problem the team needs to address is the offensive droughts that often occur. Outside of the guards and sometimes Fall, there was little offense to be found. Also, they can’t play fast with Fall on the court in order to preserve his minutes, so establishing a great half-court offense is key for this season.

The goal this year will be to make the NCAA tournament, something the school hasn’t done since 2005, which was also their last conference championship title. But while the Knights have improved, so has the level of competition with the addition of Wichita State, a possible top-10 team.

Will this be the year the defensive juggernauts make it back to the Big Dance? The starting five will be key to that.