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UCF Fifth-Year G Riley Kugel Posts Quiet Return Game
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- UCF Fifth-Year G Riley Kugel Posts Quiet Return Game
(IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect)
While the score was way too close for comfort in UCF's 96-95 season-opening victory over Florida Gulf Coast on Monday night, the Knights picked up some valuable close-game experience and took care of business.
Senior guard Dior Johnson led the way with a monster 41-point game, missing only two shots from the field and getting to the free-throw line at high frequency.
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But, for fifth-year senior guard Riley Kugel , it was a very different story, missing all three of his shots in just 13 minutes.
Kugel, who was ruled eligible late in the Knights' offseason, got the start alongside Johnson, John Bol , Isaiah Malone, and Cayden Vasko, but struggled to get involved on either side of the ball.
While this was a surprising performance from UCF's leading scorer of last season, he was added to the official roster very late and should be expected to improve throughout the year.
With Monday's win, the Knights have knocked off FGCU for two consecutive seasons, with Kugel ironically going scoreless in both bouts.
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Last year, UCF's victory over the Eagles came towards the end of non-conference play, but was a much-more comfortable score, as the Knights cruised to a 102-80 win.
Kugel really turned it on in conference play, leading UCF in scoring for the team's first four Big 12 games.
The Knights went 3-1 over this stretch, picking up wins over Cincinnati, Kansas State , and then-ranked No. 17 Kansas.
The Kansas victory was UCF's conference opener, and previewed a special season from head coach Johnny Dawkins' squad.
With the talent and depth in Dawkins' backcourt this season, Kugel will need to become acclimated to the increased distribution of shots that is seemingly in the gameplan.
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As the season goes on, I expect the former Orlando native to pick up his play and contribute in a big way.
Kugel also had some time with NBA-level talent and coaching staff, spending the NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Alongside former UCF point guard Themus Fulks , Kugel saw limited opportunities, but was able to knock down some shots from distance.
This experience will definitely give Kugel a leg-up on some of his competition, and serve him well heading into the regular season.
The Knights are back in action on Friday, Nov. 6, taking on Yale at 7:00 p.m.
The Bulldogs are also 1-0 on the year, picking up a victory over Howard on Monday night.
