After an impressive 21-12 record under new coach Donnie Jones last season, which included a 14-0 start resulting in a Top 25 ranking, the 2011-2012 University of Central Florida Knights have high expectations.
In addition to getting back top scorer Marcus Jordan for his junior season and forward Keith Clanton, a duo that combined for nearly 30ppg last year, coach Jones brings in reinforcements in the form of Michael Jordan’s other son Jeffrey Jordan, a transfer from Illinois, along with Virginia transfer Tristan Spurlock, Oregon transfer Josh Crittle, and freshman sensation Michael Chandler, a consensus Top 50 recruit.
On the surface, having such a surplus of talent could mean that the Knights have a decent shot of competing with the favored Memphis Tigers for the Conference USA crown. But all is not as it appears at Central Florida as upwards of 5 players have been either suspended or held out of competition due to eligibility concerns.
Just prior to the Knights’ preseason game against West Virginia Tech on Saturday night, word came down from the NCAA Clearinghouse that senior guards Jeffrey Jordan and AJ Rompza, both potential starters, have been withheld from competition until their eligibility status is resolved.
The University also indefinitely suspended last season’s leading scorer Marcus Jordan, forward PJ Gaynor, and center Josh Crittle for violating undisclosed team rules. Coach Jones has not revealed the details of what rules were broken or how long the players will not be allowed to play. To make matters worse, prized freshman recruit Michael Chandler couldn’t qualify academically and will be attending a prep school this Fall.
Losing Marcus Jordan for any extended period of time will hurt, especially considering he led the team not only in scoring but in assists as well. Luckily the Knights got key contributions from Clanton(28pts and 15 reb), sophomore Isaiah Sykes(18pts, 10 reb, 8 ast), and freshman Rod Days(15pts) in getting a 81-66 win over West Virginia Tech. Hopefully their roster will be intact by the time UCF plays a highly anticipated match-up against last season’s Sweet 16 participant Florida State on November 14th.
Check out a video of Marcus Jordan’s workouts at UCF:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
