Around Conference USA: UCF

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GETTING INSIDE
When UCF signed 6-11 center Stanley Billings in April, he appeared to be a good fit for a team in need of more size, strength and experience in the low post.

Then the Golden Knights unexpectedly lost 6-9 senior center Will Bakanowsky in late June, making Billings' addition an absolute must for a team that already lost two of its most capable inside defenders and rebounders when forwards Anthony Williams and Marcus Johnson completed their eligibility in March.

Bakanowsky started 26 games at center as a junior during the 2004-05 season and averaged 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds. In the final game of the 04-05 season, he scored 15 points and added seven rebounds against Connecticut in the 2005 NCAA Tournament.

However, Bakanowsky was forced to redshirt the 2005-06 season for precautionary reasons due to concussions and then graduated in June. Bakanowsky, a two-time conference all-academic selection, decided not to use his final season of eligibility in late June.

"We are disappointed for Will that he will not be able to compete and finish his career this season," UCF coach Kirk Speraw said. "Will was a valuable member of our program and was a key contributor on our two NCAA Tournament teams. Off the court, he was a great student and we wish him the very best."

Now the Golden Knights need Billings to make a quick adjustment to the Division I game after averaged 13.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game last season for Independence (Kan.) Community College. Billings, 27, has spent a good portion of his life making the necessary adjustments during eight years in the Marines.

"They kept saying I could be one of the missing pieces," Billings said. "Hopefully I can be one of the people to help get UCF back in that drivers' seat."

UCF didn't reach the 2006 NCAA Tournament after winning the Atlantic Sun Conference the two previous seasons and playing in the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Tournaments. On the other hand, the Golden Knights made a relatively seamless transition to Conference USA, finishing with a 14-15 record and a 7-7 conference record, good for fifth place in the standings

The Golden Knights hope to improve in 2005-06 with the return of seven lettermen and the addition of four signees: Chip Cartwright, a 6-foot juco guard from Angelina (Texas) College; freshmen forwards Andre Thornton of Memphis and Tony Davis of Sarasota Riverview; and Billings.

NOTES, QUOTES

THE GOOD NEWS: The Golden Knights return a core of experienced players who learned a lot of valuable lessons in their first season in Conference USA. They now know they can compete in the conference and what they need to do to improve.

THE BAD NEWS: The Golden Knights already knew they were losing some solid players in G Justin Rose, G Troy Lindbeck, F Anthony Williams and F Marcus Johnson. Then they lost center Will Bakanowsky in June when he graduated and decided not to use his final season of eligibility.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I really liked the school and the team. I like that UCF plays in Conference USA. I'm from Houston and they play some teams around here. After visiting the schools I had a feeling it would be UCF." — New UCF signee Chip Cartwright, a 6-foot guard from Angelina College in Texas.


STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

NBA BOUND: The only path to the NBA for any departing UCF players will have to go through undrafted free agency or international or developmental leagues.

KEY RETURNEES: G-F Josh Peppers leads a group of returning letterwinners that includes guards Mike O'Donnell, Jermaine Taylor and Dave Noel, forward Lavell Payne and center Adam Gill.

THE COACH: Kirk Speraw isn't a big-name coach in national circles, but he's done a commendable job in 13 seasons at UCF, going 209-178, leading the Golden Knights to four NCAA Tournament appearances and establishing a foundation for the program. UCF took another positive step last season by finishing 14-15 overall, 7-7 in conference games, in its first season after making the leap from the Atlantic Sun to Conference USA.

ROSTER REPORT: The Golden Knights did lose senior center Will Bakanowsky unexpectedly when he graduated in June and decided not to return for his final season of eligibility, but they're still counting on the return of junior sharpshooter Mike Battle. Both Bakanowsky and Battled redshirted due to injuries in 2005-06.

Josh Peppers returns after leading the Golden Knights with 13.7 points per game, but he'll also be the team's leading returning rebounder after grabbing 4.0 rebounds per game.

Jermaine Taylor is generally regarded as UCF's most important signee ever and the first recruit signed specifically to lead UCF into the C-USA. He finished his freshman season with only 4.6 points per game but showed progress down the stretch and averaged 5.1 points per game in conference games.

After signing Taylor last spring, the Golden Knights added two more prospects they believe to be C-USA-caliber players in the fall by signing Andre Thornton of Memphis and Tony Davis of Sarasota Riverview. Davis completed his prep career as Florida's Class 6A player of the year. (via USAToday.com)