Taylor to miss four to six weeks

UCF basketball coach announced Tuesday redshirt junior guard will miss four to six weeks due to a fractured bone in his foot.

“It’s unfortunate,” Dawkins said. “I’m just happy for him that it’s not a season-ending injury… The understanding is that it’s a four- to six-week injury and that he should return and be as good as new. We’re excited about that news.”

The Orlando native averaged a team-high 17.4 points per game last season. He had 12 points in Friday’s 88-79 seasonopening win over Mercer before departing in the second half.

“That’s difficult for me to not be out there with those guys in the near future,” Taylor said. “At the same time, I was raised that nobody is gonna have a pity party for you and you can’t sit around feeling bad for yourself. … This is just another bump in the road that I’m going to have to get over.”

During Taylor’s absence, Dawkins will turn to redshirt sophomore at point guard. Allen, who sat out last year after transferring from Drexel, scored six points during his UCF debut Friday night.

“Terrell is a pure point guard,” Dawkins said. “It’s an opportunity for him to assume that role and he’s going to have to learn to lead.”

Junior center Tacko Fall, meanwhile, missed Friday’s game with a sore hip.

The timetable for Fall’s return is uncertain, but Dawkins said the center would be available “in the near future.” UCF (1-0) hosts Gardner-Webb (0-2) at 7 tonight.

No. 15 UCF at Temple, Saturday, ESPNU

Terrell Allen Next football game: Johnny Dawkins B.J. Taylor