B.J. Taylor could return in time for the heart of the American schedule
UCF star point guard B.J. Taylor is expected to miss the next four to six weeks while recovering from a foot fracture suffered in Friday's season-opening victory against Mercer.
All things considered, that's positive news if Taylor could be back for the meat of the Knights' American Athletic Conference schedule.
"I'm just happy for him that it's not a season-ending injury," UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins said. "That would be tough. He's had one of those already in his career. You'd hate to see him go through that again. The understanding is it's a four-to-six week injury. He should return as good as new. We're excited about that news. We'll work with him through the process."
Taylor missed his entire sophomore season due to an injury to his right foot, though this one occurred in his left.
"I was doing a move I normally do," Taylor said. "I went to the basket and planted hard off my left foot. It felt funny when I got up off the floor... I was upset the other night. I put a lot into the game and for my teammates, being a leader for them out on the floor. It's difficult for me that I'm not going to be out there with those guys in the near future, but at the same time, I was raised that nobody is going to have a pity party for you. You can't sit around and feel bad for yourself because today is a new day. In the grand scheme of things, this is just another bump in the road I'm going to have to get over."
In Taylor's absence, Terrell Allen, in his first year of eligibility at UCF after transferring from Drexel, will take over primary point guard duties.
"He's going to have to learn to lead," Dawkins said. "B.J. was our captain and leader, so now Terrell has to step into that kind of role, be more assertive and lead our team."
Dawkins added that guards Ceasar DeJesus and Chance McSpadden could assist with backup point guard duties.
Center Tacko Fall is also dealing with an injury issue, some minor soreness in his hip. He was held out of the season opener and it doesn't appear that he'll play tomorrow night vs. Gardner-Webb, though Dawkins has indicated he'll be playing soon.
"Tacko is doing well," Dawkins said. "He's working hard. He's in a position where he's moving on the floor well. It's making sure we bring him back the right way. We're confident he'll return in their near future."
A couple weeks ago, UCF announced Aubrey Dawkins would miss the entire season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.
UCF hosts Gardner-Webb (0-2) on Wednesday night at CFE Arena. The Bulldogs are in the midst of a Florida tour. They opened the season at No. 12 Miami on Friday, losing 77-45, then dropped a 116-74 decision to No. 7 Florida on Monday.