Here's a look at Tacko's last 3 games:

at Temple
29 mins, 6-8 FG, 13 pts, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 assists

TULANE
31 mins, 8-8 FG, 17 pts, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, 1 assist

at UCONN
23 mins, 6-7, 13 pts, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist
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82 mins (27.5 mins per game), 20-23 FG (87%), 32 rebounds, 11 blocks, 4 assists

Tacko, who missed all of summer practice (UCF had extra summer practices due to their pre-season international trip) and all of Fall Practice (NCAA approved him day before 1st season opener), Tacko's had a "learn on the job" type season...slowly building up his stamina, learning how to not pick up silly fouls so he can stay on the court, learn for the first time to fight for position on low block, etc...and a glimpse of his future is finally coming into place.

Tacko's phenomenal growth in his recent games is almost night and day from where he stood at/near the start of conf play.

Just 4 games ago...Tacko picked up 2 quick fouls vs Tulsa in the first 3 mins of the game (sent him to the bench for the rest of the half), then picked up 2 more fouls in just 3 mins of play in 2nd half. (Tacko ended up with 6 pts in just 6 mins of play, but with foul trouble, he couldn't stay on the court).

Anyway...its a nice silver lining for UCF during this long season...and Tacko "should" continue improve next year, especially with All AAC Rookie Team player BJ Taylor returning at the point (missed the entire season this year).

It's great that he's playing better but the last game against UCONN, who does have big men, wasn't so great. You didn't mention the 5 turnovers and the measly 2 defensive rebounds he accumulated. That low rebound total ranked tied for 4th on the UCF team. It allowed UCONN 8 offensive rebounds, enhancing their shooting percentage. Is he improving? Yes! But he needs to show it against teams that do have big men to compete with. The UCONN game was a setback.

(03-07-2016 09:49 AM)sfink16 Wrote:  It's great that he's playing better but the last game against UCONN, who does have big men, wasn't so great. You didn't mention the 5 turnovers and the measly 2 defensive rebounds he accumulated. That low rebound total ranked tied for 4th on the UCF team. It allowed UCONN 8 offensive rebounds, enhancing their shooting percentage. Is he improving? Yes! But he needs to show it against teams that do have big men to compete with. The UCONN game was a setback.

UCONN game with UCF yesterday??? Or the UCONN game back in January?

The point of this thread has been about Tacko's huge improvement toward the later part of this season...heck and if you want, just compare Tacko's performance vs UCONN in Jan with his play yesterday.

Your point about the previous UCONN game from Jan actually helped prove my point to his massive improvement (played just 14 mins in that game, attempted just 1 FG).

Tacko's biggest problem is he can't run the floor with athletic teams that get up and down the court quickly. I don't know if he'll ever be able to fix that. If a team is stupid enough to try and play a slow defensive game against UCF they'll lose... But if they get the ball in quickly after made baskets, they'll catch Tacko limbering up behind them while they can attack the basket.

(03-07-2016 10:41 AM)invisiblehand Wrote:  Tacko's biggest problem is he can't run the floor with athletic teams that get up and down the court quickly. I don't know if he'll ever be able to fix that. If a team is stupid enough to try and play a slow defensive game against UCF they'll lose... But if they get the ball in quickly after made baskets, they'll catch Tacko limbering up behind them while they can attack the basket.

Tacko will never be a quick or even fast player and thats where the other 4 players on the court have to do a much better job (especially when defenders guarding a UCF 3 pt shooter race down court as soon as the shot is attempted).

For at least the first half of the season...Tacko could only play in about 4 min spurts...now he has built up his stamina to 10-12 min spurts...and hopefully with a full and healthy off-season...Tacko can continue his overall improvement.

(03-07-2016 10:41 AM)invisiblehand Wrote:  Tacko's biggest problem is he can't run the floor with athletic teams that get up and down the court quickly. I don't know if he'll ever be able to fix that. If a team is stupid enough to try and play a slow defensive game against UCF they'll lose... But if they get the ball in quickly after made baskets, they'll catch Tacko limbering up behind them while they can attack the basket.

You pretty much described every 7 footer that ever played the game. There's nothing to fix.

I think the point the OP was making is a good one. Fall is developing nicely. That team is learning how to play with a giant. It's not all about his developing skills.

He has next-level talent. It's going to be fun to watch his development.

(03-07-2016 12:13 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(03-07-2016 10:41 AM)invisiblehand Wrote:  Tacko's biggest problem is he can't run the floor with athletic teams that get up and down the court quickly. I don't know if he'll ever be able to fix that. If a team is stupid enough to try and play a slow defensive game against UCF they'll lose... But if they get the ball in quickly after made baskets, they'll catch Tacko limbering up behind them while they can attack the basket.

You pretty much described every 7 footer that ever played the game. There's nothing to fix.

I think the point the OP was making is a good one. Fall is developing nicely. That team is learning how to play with a giant. It's not all about his developing skills.

He has next-level talent. It's going to be fun to watch his development.

He moves better then most of the freakishly tall players. Good kid, good story....happy for him.

(03-07-2016 12:31 PM)wavefan12 Wrote:  

(03-07-2016 12:13 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(03-07-2016 10:41 AM)invisiblehand Wrote:  Tacko's biggest problem is he can't run the floor with athletic teams that get up and down the court quickly. I don't know if he'll ever be able to fix that. If a team is stupid enough to try and play a slow defensive game against UCF they'll lose... But if they get the ball in quickly after made baskets, they'll catch Tacko limbering up behind them while they can attack the basket.

You pretty much described every 7 footer that ever played the game. There's nothing to fix.

I think the point the OP was making is a good one. Fall is developing nicely. That team is learning how to play with a giant. It's not all about his developing skills.

He has next-level talent. It's going to be fun to watch his development.

He moves better then most of the freakishly tall players. Good kid, good story....happy for him.

He really is...

He always volunteers to attend UCF Basketball Fan gatherings...plus mingles with fans (signs autographs/take photos) with UCF fans after every game (especially at the on-campus sports restaurants right next to UCF Arena after games), as his story and now his growth in life (let alone basketball) has been amazing.

He really enjoys his teammates, one of his early Engineering courses is his favorite class...and on UCF's recent trip to Philadelphia a week ago, Tacko did an interview in French (one of the 4-5 languages he can speak) with College Sports French Group/website.

If you know French, enjoy!

Nice honor yesterday for Tacko...even with his great game at Temple not counting in this week's stats.

Best for Last
Fall named last AAC Rookie of the Week during the regular season
http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/m-baskb...16aaa.html

Everyone with a brain knew the kid would be a project. What no one could know was, would he grow to the next level of player.

The early answer seems to be yes, we will know more next year.

(03-08-2016 08:40 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  Everyone with a brain knew the kid would be a project. What no one could know was, would he grow to the next level of player.

The early answer seems to be yes, we will know more next year.

I've liked his potential impact on UCF from the beginning. I never understood all of the negative comments from conference members' fans. From a distance, his story appears to be a good one.

Hopefully UCF keeps an eye on his knees and feet. I would have him in for semi-regular X-Rays simply as a precaution.

(03-08-2016 09:12 AM)invisiblehand Wrote:  Hopefully UCF keeps an eye on his knees and feet. I would have him in for semi-regular X-Rays simply as a precaution.

UCF has been working with Team Doctors of the Houston Rockets from Day 1 that Tacko walked on campus as they were the ones that worked with Yao Ming, who's career ended with foot problems.

Coach Jones talks all the time on what things UCF is doing trying to prevent any unnecessary injuries, especially to Tacko's feet (can't stop contact injuries in games).

Since Tacko missed all of summer (UCF got extra practices due to their International Trip) and Fall Camp...all because one person at the NCAA Clearinghouse refused to approve his transcripts, but Tacko was able to hit the weights...which gave him a lot more strength/conditioning that seems to have helped him improve his all around game toward the end of the season.

Tacko is tall. That is all.

Tacko Tuesday.

Here's a great feature article today by veteran writer Peter Kerasotis on Tacko's journey from Africa to the USA and eventually, UCF.

Just published in UCF's Alumni Magazine, Pegasus.

Mastering the Rebound
UCF center Tacko Fall has never let a few near misses keep him down.

Tacko Fall was 16 when he boarded a plane in Dakar, Senegal, for America. His only companion was another Senegalese teenage basketball player, Ange Badji. It was the first time Fall had ever taken a flight, and he had left his mother and younger brother behind. Wearing taped-up eyeglasses, Fall carried a single suitcase, holding clothes that barely fit him. On his feet were the only shoes he owned — sandals made by a neighborhood friend.

See link for complete article.

http://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/mastering-the...fb5f931ee9

(03-08-2016 06:14 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  Nice honor yesterday for Tacko...even with his great game at Temple not counting in this week's stats.

Best for Last
Fall named last AAC Rookie of the Week during the regular season
http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/m-baskb...16aaa.html

Nice!