(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Just three days after playing their first game without point guard B.J. Taylor, the UCF Knights will face their second test in the William & Mary Tribe. Through two games, William & Mary is 1-1 after a season-opening loss at High Point University, wherein the Panthers scored 51 points in the first half and 100 in the game, and an 83-76 win over Hampton University.
Here’s what to expect when the Tribe visit UCF at CFE Arena on Saturday.
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Tribe’s Nathan Knight Embraces Bigger Role, Dominates Early This Season
Though the Tribe are just two games into their season, forward Nathan Knight has been a dominant presence for William & Mary. So far, he has averages of 23 points per game, nine rebounds per game and four blocks per game.
Knight is also adept at both earning and making free throws, as he’s shooting 80.6 percent from the line and averages 18 free throws per game. And while he does most of his work inside, Knight isn’t afraid to shoot a perimeter shot. He has, so far, made one of his two three-pointer attempts.
The Tribe have seen significant improvement in their sophomore forward, as he’s taken on a bigger role. He started just six of his 31 appearances last season, averaging 17.2 minutes per game, 8.2 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game. This year, he has logged 30.0 minutes per game, third-most on the team, and has started both games.
“We look at [defending Knight] as a great opportunity,” Knights head coach Johnny Dawkins said before practice on Nov. 17. “You know, he’s a terrific player; he’s having a great sophomore campaign, thus far in the season. It’s gonna be a challenge for us. We need our guys to make sure we understand who he is and try to keep him off his sweet spots.
“You know, he’s such a versatile big guy. He can score in the low post, but he also can face up and make an open shot. So our guys are gonna have to be aware of where he is and what his strengths are.”
William & Mary Defense Provides UCF with Opportunity at Breakout Game
In UCF’s season-opening matchup with Mercer University on Nov. 10, the Knights faced a Bears team that has, so far, developed into a defense that allows its opponent to shoot 42.6 percent from the field through three games. That night, UCF shot 53.6 percent from the field and won 88-79. Against, Gardner-Webb University, however, UCF shot 38.8 percent from the field and narrowly won 68-65 on Nov. 15 against a team that has allowed a 50 percent opponent field-goal percentage in three games.
Now, the Knights have another opportunity to continue to learn to play without Taylor, last year’s leading scorer for UCF (17.4 points per game). Through two games, the Tribe have allowed opponents to shoot an average of 50.4 percent from the field.
“Well I believe in our players. You know, I know they’re capable shooters, so [our shooting percentage] has been the least of my worries,” Dawkins said. “I just wanna make sure we defend the way we’re accustomed to, you know, playing UCF basketball. That means we’re grinding out on defensive possessions, and they did do that. You know, they held Gardner-Webb to 35 percent from the field, and that’s what I want to see us do.
“The offense is gonna come. So we need to make sure we just keep defending and keep on taking great shots. If we do that, I think our players will produce very well.”
Tribe Earn Their Points at Free-throw Line
With Knight leading the way, the Tribe have, so far, been focused on earning points at the free-throw line. Knight’s 18 free-throw attempts per game dwarfs his teammates’ averages, as guards Justin Pierce and David Cohn come in at second with just 3.5 attempts per game. Despite their relatively low attempts, Pierce and Cohn have been efficient, each shooting 6-for-7 from the line so far. Between Knight, Pierce and Cohn, they contribute just over 20 points per game from the free-throw line alone.
Pierce is also an efficient scorer, shooting 66.7 percent and averaging 15.5 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game.
“Well we have to make sure when we’re guarding [Knight], we have to play our D without fouling,” Dawkins said. “You know, we wanna keep him off the line. Any player that shoots that many free throws—took 22 free throws in one game. We have to make sure we’re very disciplined with how we guard him in the low post and just play him hard but play him without fouling.”
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Tipoff between the Knights and Tribe is at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
For more on the Knights, as they prepare for the Tribe, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
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