With every week between video games and the Large 12 schedule looming, UCF coach Johnny Dawkins has turned his focus to a core precept in basketball: Rebounding.
The Knights (6-2) are off to a different robust begin, however have to get higher at it shortly.
“Rebounding might be one of many largest areas we should develop in, particularly going to the Large 12 Convention,” stated senior guard Darius Johnson.
UCF ranks 52nd within the nation in complete rebounds, averaging 40.3 per recreation, however the Knights have been outrebounded up to now two video games, 73-53. They’ve additionally been crushed on the offensive glass 23-9.
Whereas the Knights managed to win these video games vs. Milwaukee and California Baptist, they know these groups are a rung beneath what they’ll see in convention play.
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“It’s going to be very bodily evening in and evening out,” stated Johnson, who averages 4.1 rebounds per recreation. “A few of these groups are in all probability within the high 10 in rebounding within the nation. That’s one thing we are going to face each evening.”
Utah (fourth), Arizona (ninth) and BYU (sixteenth) are amongst Division I rebounding leaders.
UCF’s 40.3 per recreation are essentially the most because it averaged 40.8 in 2016-17, and it’s the second time a staff has averaged greater than 40 rebounds since 1993.
Nonetheless, Dawkins doesn’t like what he’s seen not too long ago.
“It’s our focus and focus,” he stated. “Boxing out — there’s an artwork to it. You possibly can’t depend on simply athletics, considering you’ll pursue the basketball. You must be sure you get contact and the individual attempting to get the ball from the opposing staff doesn’t have a superb angle to get it after which you may pursue it after that.”
For Johnson, it comes all the way down to getting harder.
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“It begins with our guards. Our guards need to do a greater job of rebounding to assist the massive guys out,” he stated. “We are able to’t go away all of it to the massive fellas as a result of they’re greater and extra bodily. We’ve got to study to gang rebound.”
Six gamers are averaging greater than 3 rebounds per recreation, led by ahead Keyshawn Corridor (7), heart Moustapha Thiam (4.7), ahead Benny Williams (4.1), Johnson (4.1), guard Dallan Coleman (3.5) and guard Jordan Ivy-Curry (3.4).
“We’re going to implement it much more in observe,” Dawkins stated. “We’re doing it in observe usually, however possibly we have to do it longer and extra.”
The subsequent three non-conference opponents ought to supply alternatives for the Knights to enhance: Tarleton State (358th), Tulsa (116th) and Jacksonville (157th) earlier than touring to Texas Tech to open Large 12 play on Dec. 31.
Matt Murschel may be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
Up subsequent …
UCF vs. Tarleton State
When: 1, Sunday, Addition Monetary Area
TV: ESPN+
