ty to do just that. Man City paid £49m for Sterling and these are the occasions when they need him to show up. If Liverpool win, hell undoubtedly get a lot of stick from their fans - but h

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A year ago, the reflection Tacko Fall was seeing wasnt the image everyone else saw in UCFs raw but intriguing 7-foot-6 freshman center.Fast forward to this season, and there is a new coaching staff, a new energy around the Knights program and definitely a different Fall. The shy, towering young man is getting more comfortable on the basketball court.I can definitely be a force in the paint, the engineering major from Senegal told The Associated Press. I feel like there is really nobody who can guard me in the paint.Nobody? A bold statement, though Fall has had an impressive start to the season and turned heads during last weekends Charleston Classic.For the first time this season, the nation got a chance to see how much the goggle-wearing big man has improved. Fall dominated against the likes of Mississippi State and defending national champion and third-ranked Villanova. He averaged a double-double over the three-game tournament, including a 20-point, 13-rebound showing in a 67-57 loss to the Wildcats in the championship game.He caught the eye of ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, who mentioned Fall on his Twitter page.I see it but I cant let it go to my head, said Fall, who was named the American Athletic Conference player of the week on Monday after averaging 17.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and three blocked shots in the first four games this season. I still have a lot to work on. I can get a lot better.The attention and accolades Fall is receiving are a far cry from what life was like five years ago when he and a friend, Ange Badji, were spotted by a man named Ben Simmons in their native home of Dakar, Senegal.Simmons, who did not return phone calls from the AP, helped Fall and Badji get visas to the United States.Fall was coming from a poor background, living with his mother and little brother in a one-bedroom apartment where the basic necessities were hard to come by -- including going to school.Fall, who was 7-foot-3 and 16 years old at the time, said his mother -- who only speaks French and has never seen him play -- was promised that he would be taught the game of basketball, have a chance to earn a quality education and possibly a college degree. But it didnt happen that way when Fall and Badji initially landed in the U.S. in October 2012.For the better part of a year, Fall and Badji bounced around Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Kansas and Illinois in search of charter schools.Finally, in September 2013, they landed in Tavares, Florida, and on the doorsteps of Liberty Christian Preparatory School basically homeless. But that is when life began to change for the better.Amanda Wettstein and her family took Fall and Badji into their home.There were some negative things and there were some positive things because when I came to Florida I met great people, my host family, said Fall, a native French speaker who learned English quickly. They are still there and are basically part of my family now. We talk every day. They live 45 minutes away from here. They treat me like Im their own child.Wettstein and her husband took the boys in not knowing much more than their first names and that they were in need.Neither the school or us had information about them, said Wettstein, whose mother-in-law is a counselor at Liberty Christian. At the time we didnt know anything about their journey, just that they had been in Tennessee and were homeless and needed a place.The 6-foot-5 Badji is currently attending TNG Prep Academy in Tennessee.As for Fall, it wasnt long before it was apparent that he was more than just a tall kid with basketball potential. He was also extremely bright.After scoring in the 90th percentile the first time he took the SAT, Fall spent his junior and senior years playing at Liberty Christian.He played AAU hoops in 2014, and had great success. He was invited to the NBA Top 100 and Nike Skills Academy, after which the college opportunities came pouring in. Georgetown, Harvard, Xavier and Wake Forest were among the 36 offers he received, but UCF and former head coach Donnie Jones won out.The Knights had something others didnt: a location that allowed Fall, who was tired of moving, to stay close to those he was familiar with and who he felt cared about him.After finally getting cleared to play by the NCAA just before last season, Fall was a raw freshman who showed ability as a shot blocker and post defender.This year, with former Stanford coach and Duke All-American Johnny Dawkins at the helm at UCF, Fall has continued to improve. Dawkins and his staff have worked with Fall since arriving, improving his offensive game, his strength and post presence.Dawkins said that because of how well Fall runs the floor, his touch around the basket and shot-blocking ability, the only limit to his upside is his imagination and how hard he works.I tell Tacko all the time: `Tacko you can change the game. You can revolutionize our game at your size, said Dawkins, whose team is off to a 4-1 start. With that (size) and the ability to move up and down like he does on the floor, his mobility, he could revolutionize our game.The NBA is the logical next step for Fall, though its unclear when he might make that jump. However, with Dawkins mentoring him and Falls size and athletic ability, he will get a look by someone.Fall believes he is up for the challenge, and after what he has been through, no one is counting him out.The ultimate goal for me is to play in the NBA, Fall said confidently, because I think its going to open so many doors for me to be able to take care of my family, help people back home and give opportunities to people back home like I was given the opportunity to help others.---More AP college basketball at http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25 Wholesale Mariners Jerseys . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Kyle Seager Jersey . Olli Jokinen, Mark Scheifele, and Bryan Little each had a goal and an assist as Winnipeg won 5-2, handing Calgary its record-setting seventh consecutive loss on home ice. http://www.cheapmarinersjerseyschina.com/ryon-healy-jersey/ ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. Randy Johnson Jersey . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Womens Mariners Jerseys .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner.Jamie Redknapp is expecting an even but exciting Capital One Cup final on Sunday - and says the performances of Liverpools Philippe Coutinho and Man Citys David Silva will be decisive... Liverpools 4-1 win over Manchester City earlier this season was their best performance under Jurgen Klopp so far. But theyll come up against a different City side in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Jamie Redknapp joins Ed Chamberlin to preview the Capital One Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester City In November, Vincent Kompany didnt play. David Silva didnt play. Fernandinho didnt come on until half-time, when City were 3-0 down. Sergio Aguero was only half-fit, and substituted after 66 minutes. Now, this City side, in personnel at least, are starting to represent their best line-up again - albeit with the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, who was one of their best players in the Liverpool defeat.Of course, you dont have to be a football expert to realise the importance of Kompanys return. Theyve won 67 per cent of their games with him in the team. That figure drops to 59 per cent when he has been missing. City have kept seven clean sheets from nine Premier League games when he has started and managed just four in the 17 he has missed.If Kompany had been fit for the whole season, Man City would have been comfortably clear at the top of the Premier League. City have also got Silva starting to ease his way back into his game after injury. Aguero is fully fit now and looks incredible. Fernandinhos back. You look at the spine of that team and think, if they go on a long run - which theyre more than capable of doing - you cant really rule them out of anything this season.My biggest worry with City is they just go out and play, without worrying about the opposition. It often seems as though theres no defensive organisation or thought to stopping the other team from playing. Weve got better players, well beat you. But its not always like that in football. Philippe Coutinho ran the show at Man City in November, says Jamie Philippe Coutinho, in particular, is one player theyll have to have a plan for on Sunday.If youre Fernandinho or Yaya Toure, how are you going to stop him? He was a major problem for City at the Etihad, where they couldnt live with him. He ran the game. Key Battle: Aguero v Sturridge Which striker will deliver the Capital One Cup? Now Daniel Sturridge is back in the Liverpool team, too - a player who is always a threat - and he and Coutinho have a great understanding between them. City cant afford to let them combine like they can.ddddddddddddOf course, the same goes for Liverpool - they need a plan to stop Citys main man, Silva. Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho have a great understanding between them. Man City cant afford to let them to combine like they can. Jamie Redknapp The Liverpool midfield have to find a way to hurry him up, stop him from playing at his pace and delivering those passes to Aguero. If they can do that, theyll stand a far better chance. But if Silva dominates the game, keeps finding pockets of space, drifting around the pitch, playing under no pressure, he can be the difference.Its going to be fascinating to see how the two teams deal with the other sides threats. Can Liverpool keep David Silva quiet? Overall, Im expecting an even but exciting game - and one certainly well worth watching.Of course, Klopp will be eager to pick up his first piece of silverware in England - and what a great moment lifting the trophy would be for him in his first season at Liverpool. Winning cup competitions is what Liverpools tradition has been built on and something the fans are desperate for. Jurgen Klopp and Manuel Pellegrini will both be desperate to lift the trophy As for Pellegrini, with this his last season at City, hell be looking to go out on a high, too, and win this competition for the second time in three years.Then there will be the battles all over the park - on top of Coutinho and Silvas clashes with the opposition midfield, Kompany versus Sturridge is going to be box office.And Raheem Sterling is also an intriguing sub-plot. Im sure images of him will be on the back pages of newspapers and at the top of websites on Monday regardless of the outcome - whether its him lifting the trophy or looking dejected while Liverpool fans celebrate. Sterling v Liverpool Paul Merson, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson on whether Sterling can sink old club Liverpool He said he wanted to leave Anfield to win trophies and on Sunday he has the opportunity to do just that. Man City paid £49m for Sterling and these are the occasions when they need him to show up. If Liverpool win, hell undoubtedly get a lot of stick from their fans - but he has made his bed and he has to lie in it.But who will win? Im finding it really tough to call and reckon it could even be a draw in normal time. Then, once it gets to extra-time and penalties, anything could happen. Its one not to miss. Jamies Sky Bet tip Find out what Jamie is backing in his 22/1 scorecast here. Watch the Capital One Cup final: Liverpool v Man City live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4pm on Sunday. Also See: Road to Wembley Liverpools League Cup wins Barnes & Goater Q&A Sterling v Liverpool Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Cheap Stitched Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Camo China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2019 ' ' '