Tacko Fall is a handful for opposing defenders.
But he’s also a handful for referees to officiate.
Frankly, there aren’t many 7-foot-6 college basketball players on the planet. It’s not surprising to see referees having a tough time making calls for, or against, the UCF center.
Fall just might be the toughest player to officiate in the country.
“I mean, it’s definitely frustrating. I would say they’ve never seen a guy like me,” Fall said. “So naturally, it takes time [to adjust] … as long as they get it right.”
The officiating has impacted Fall’s game. There are times when he isn’t as aggressive as coach Johnny Dawkins would love him to be. He becomes passive with the ball, not utilizing his size to his advantage.
It’s a work in progress on both sides.
“The biggest thing I’m trying to get Tacko to understand is, Tacko can’t let how he’s being reffed affect his game,” Dawkins said. “He has to go out there and just play. Play hard and do the things that every other player is allowed to do on the floor.”
It’s not an uncommon sight to see Fall talking to the refs during games. Due to his sheer size, opponents can get away with more than other players.
“Sometimes I go to them and say, ‘They are holding me,’ or ‘this is happening,’” Fall said. “The coaching staff does it a lot, too. I just try to play the game.”
When Fall does get into foul trouble, he has a tendency to be more cautious around the rim.
It’s something Dawkins and his staff are working on. They’ve taken the time and effort to tell Fall not to worry about how he’s officiated. Dawkins said he’ll handle the referees as long as Fall goes out there and imposes his will and dominates.
However, with the Knights (15-9, 6-6 AAC) currently in a funk and having lost five of their last six games, the problem is magnified.
“He kind of reverts back every time he goes into some foul difficulties to be a little more cautious with what he does,” Dawkins said. “I think that really hurts him because he’s such a good player and can dominate around the basket.”
Dawkins is hoping those fortunes change against UConn on Saturday.
While the Knights have been in a downward spiral, the Huskies (11-12, 6-5) are trending up. UConn has won five of its last six games and defeated UCF 64-49 back on Jan. 8.
Fall struggled mightily against the Huskies the first time around. In 25 minutes, he was held scoreless, going 0 for 1 from the field with only three rebounds and four turnovers.
It was one of the first times he was consistently double-teamed in the post, throwing him out of his rhythm.
“I got sped up a lot that game,” Fall said.
Keeping his composure when the double comes this time around will be the key, he added. Since then he’s learned to adjust to double teams.
But he’ll also have to keep adjusting to the way he’s going to be reffed in games.
Dawkins just doesn’t want him to worry about it any longer.
“It’s unfair to him because he’s the only player that has to play that way,” Dawkins said. “I don’t want him to be even thinking about it. Play your game, son, and we’ll adjust.”
UCF’s 2017 football schedule was released by the American Athletic Conference Thursday morning.
UCF’s 2017 football schedule was released by the American Athletic Conference Thursday morning.
UCF’s 2017 football schedule was released by the American Athletic Conference Thursday morning.
UCF’s 2017 football schedule was released by the American Athletic Conference Thursday morning.
UCF head coach Scott Frost talks about how they’ve learned to save scholarship spots after National Signing Day to attract more and better recruits.
UCF head coach Scott Frost talks about how they’ve learned to save scholarship spots after National Signing Day to attract more and better recruits.
For the second straight season under UCF coach Scott Frost, the Knights finished with a top-three signing class in the American Athletic Conference.
For the second straight season under UCF coach Scott Frost, the Knights finished with a top-three signing class in the American Athletic Conference.
FSU came out on top while UCF turned in a solid effort. Florida rallied and USF made a huge comback from the bottom of the ladder.
FSU came out on top while UCF turned in a solid effort. Florida rallied and USF made a huge comback from the bottom of the ladder.
Seminole High School football player Gabe Davis signs to play football at UCF
Seminole High School football player Gabe Davis signs to play football at UCF
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
