As of the time of this post, UCF is 5-4 with unimpressive wins against Rollins, Nova Southeastern, Bethune-Cookman, Stetson, and Norfolk State. The losses came against FAU, UF (no excuse for losing this game by 33), Western Kentucky, and Sam Houston State. Free throw shooting has been simply atrocious. We're not rebounding the ball like we should be, and we're turning the ball over too much. The level of play has not been what we've come to expect from a Kirk Speraw coached team.
Now that that's off my chest, anyone else want to chip in their two cents?
The thing is UCF is right in the mix with about 5-7 other CUSA teams that are not having very good starts to their seasons.
It's really hard to gauge.
Kirks reloaded the last 3 years...he honestly deserves a rebuilding year.
Some of our expectations are unwarranted and are based on our move to C-USA....and a short term memory seemingly not spanning back any further than the 2005 A-Sun tourney and solid NCAA performance. The last game of the regular season we SQUEAKED by Campbell.
So in terms of regression - I don't think that we necessarily have.
In terms of recruiting - we haven't addressed our needs this past offseason. Our needs happen to be a big man, which are hard to come by.
In terms of individual performance - now this is where I am most dissapointed. We all should be. Free throws, turnovers, lack of leadership. These are things that Kirk is letting us down on.
After the last 3 years he deserves at least 2 to see how he can recruit and compete.
I am a HUGE Kirk fan, as I am a recent grad...how can I not be? I've seen some great things happen at a school that seems to do everything it can to keep basketball from flourishing. I've watched Kirk against the world while Orsini and Hitt are putting out a red carpet for O'Leary.
However, if he can't get it done, he can't get it done...and I'll totally support taking the program in a different direction.
cusa-fans Wrote:The thing is UCF is right in the mix with about 5-7 other CUSA teams that are not having very good starts to their seasons.
That's true, but some of those teams are going to get better as the season goes on. It may be an unrealistic goal, but I'd like us to be in the best possible position to get to the NCAA tournament. To accomplish this, we've got to correct our mistakes ASAP.
st932253 Wrote:It's really hard to gauge.
Kirks reloaded the last 3 years...he honestly deserves a rebuilding year.
Some of our expectations are unwarranted and are based on our move to C-USA....and a short term memory seemingly not spanning back any further than the 2005 A-Sun tourney and solid NCAA performance. The last game of the regular season we SQUEAKED by Campbell.
So in terms of regression - I don't think that we necessarily have.
In terms of recruiting - we haven't addressed our needs this past offseason. Our needs happen to be a big man, which are hard to come by.
In terms of individual performance - now this is where I am most dissapointed. We all should be. Free throws, turnovers, lack of leadership. These are things that Kirk is letting us down on.
After the last 3 years he deserves at least 2 to see how he can recruit and compete.
I am a HUGE Kirk fan, as I am a recent grad...how can I not be? I've seen some great things happen at a school that seems to do everything it can to keep basketball from flourishing. I've watched Kirk against the world while Orsini and Hitt are putting out a red carpet for O'Leary.
However, if he can't get it done, he can't get it done...and I'll totally support taking the program in a different direction.
Don't misunderstand me; I'm not calling for Speraw's head here. I agree that he should not be fired based on what's happened so far this season. I also don't think he should be fired unless the team REALLY takes a long tumble, like say winning less than 10 games. Still, he's got to make the right adjustments to cut down our turnovers and establish some leaders on this team. Maybe he also needs the team to practice free throws under greater duress, i.e. simulated crowd noise or other distractions.
You're right that we did squeak by Campbell last season. We also squeaked by some other opponents that could be considered lightly regarded. The problem is that I don't see us doing some of the things that helped us win those close games. I'm concerned that we're not going to win most of our tight contests this season. But, it's early in the season; there's still hope.
UCF just lost to Birmingham Southern
I was at the game tonight...3 things really stand out so far this season...can't make a damn free throw to save our lives, turn the ball over way too much with careless passes and I bet 60-70% of our shots are 3-pointers...this team just seems to refuse to try to pound the ball down low...I know we don't have much size, but Payne seems to make things happen at times and it seems like O'Donnell, Peppers and Rose should be able to take it to the hole more often...looks like it's gonna be a long season as the schedule only gets tougher!
Mike the Knight Wrote:I was at the game tonight...3 things really stand out so far this season...can't make a damn free throw to save our lives, turn the ball over way too much with careless passes and I bet 60-70% of our shots are 3-pointers...this team just seems to refuse to try to pound the ball down low...I know we don't have much size, but Payne seems to make things happen at times and it seems like O'Donnell, Peppers and Rose should be able to take it to the hole more often...looks like it's gonna be a long season as the schedule only gets tougher!
I was at the game against UNF the night before. UNF was called for traveling 7 or 8 times, which obviously was a big help to us. We shot our free throws somewhat well. I would like to see us get more offensive rebounds; seems like we frequently get only one shot at the basket on any possession. With regards to rebounding and defense, I think the loss of Will Bakanowsky is really hurting our team. Will's experience and his size could sure be put to good use right now.
I agree completely on Bakanowsky...will he be eligible to play next year since I assume we're using a medical redshirt on him this year?
Mike the Knight Wrote:I agree completely on Bakanowsky...will he be eligible to play next year since I assume we're using a medical redshirt on him this year?
Yes, he is being redshirted this season.
ucfvstheworld Wrote:UCF just lost to Birmingham Southern
Alabama came perilously close to doing the same thing. Birmingham-Southern's better than most people thing.
You guys opened strong against Kentucky tonight, but then you seemed to fizzle out. I think you are just a recruiting class away from taking the next step to a 20-win season.
UAB Kirksville Wrote:ucfvstheworld Wrote:UCF just lost to Birmingham Southern
Alabama came perilously close to doing the same thing. Birmingham-Southern's better than most people thing.
You guys opened strong against Kentucky tonight, but then you seemed to fizzle out. I think you are just a recruiting class away from taking the next step to a 20-win season.
I am not questioning Bham Southern, i mean when UCF was in the Atlantic Sun, they still lost to teams like Gardmer Webb, but since they are in CUSA, they have to win those games to have any chance at a good season. They probably won't though, even though i can see a .500 conference play.
That 59-57 loss to Kentucky was a heartbreaker....UCF needs more wins over teams like that.