Knights aim to limit turnovers
LAKE BUENA VISTA — UCF coach Johnny Dawkins talks often about how his players need to “value the basketball.”
On Friday, it seemed appropriate for the Knights that it was Black Friday, with UCF giving the ball away at bargain prices.
The Knights turned the ball over 27 times during a 83-45 blowout loss to West Virginia, a trend Dawkins said can’t continue.
It’s been a theme for UCF in the AdvoCare Invitational this week, which will not bode well for the Knights if they intend to defeat St. John’s during today’s third-place game, which is at noon at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. UCF (4-1) has averaged 22 turnovers a game in the tournament.
During an opening victory over Nebraska, the Knights still committed 17 turnovers.
“It’s very disappointing how we played. I think we could have played better,” Dawkins said following the West Virginia loss.
“We have to improve from here and we have to know what we have to do to get better.
“We’ll have to watch the film and show the guards different things we can do. I’ll use it as a teachable moment and I think we’ll be better from this game.”
St. John’s (5-1) is likely to try to exploit some of the issues UCF has shown so far in this tournament.
The Red Storm, like West Virginia, have good guard play on both ends of the court.
Offensively St. John’s has the tournament’s leading scorer in senior Shamorie Ponds, who has dropped in 26 and 31 points during the first two games.
“I haven’t seen St. John’s play and I’m looking forward to watching them [on film],” Dawkins said. “They’re well coached. Chris Mullin is a Hall of Famer and a great guy.
“… We’ll do our best to try to contain them. We just have to play our game. We have talent, we have good players, as well, and we have to make sure these guys come out with the right mindset.”
Missouri and No. 23 West Virginia will later face off in the tournament’s championship game at 9:30 p.m. The game will air on ESPN2.