UCF basketball picked high in preseason poll

ORLANDO, Fla – After the program took some major steps forward last season, UCF's basketball team has some major expectations put upon them by their peers going into this year. 

The Knights were picked to finish third in the American Conference this season, behind only last season's runner-up Cincinnati, and conference newcomer, perennial powerhouse Wichita State. Both made the NCAA tournament a year ago. 

In addition to the team's recognition in the polls, UCF's players received some individual accolades as well. Returning leading scorer guard, B.J. Taylor was named to the Preseason All-Conference First Team, and reigning conference defensive player of the year, 7-foot 6-inch center, Tacko Fall, was named All-Conference Second Team.

Taylor is UCF's first player to be named first team all-conference.

In only its fourth year of existence after splitting from the Big East, the American has quickly become a very competitive conference in men's college basketball. A year ago, the American sent four of its teams to postseason tournaments - two to the NCAA Tournament and two to the NIT -and had three players selected in the 2017 NBA Draft.

The Knight's season begins on Nov. 10 at home at CFE Arena when they host Mercer University at 8 p.m.