Sept. 15, 2005
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ORLANDO - The UCF men's basketball team released its complete 2005-06 schedule on Thursday and the slate features contests against at least eight teams that participated in the postseason a year ago. Entering their first campaign in Conference USA, the Golden Knights host seven league games at UCF Arena, highlighted by visits from UAB and UTEP, who both appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2005.
Head coach Kirk Speraw's squad, which posted a 24-9 overall record and made its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament last season, will play 14 conference games, opening at home against Marshall on Jan. 11. Tulsa (Jan. 21), Tulane (Feb. 11), Houston (Feb. 15), and East Carolina (Feb. 22) also visit UCF Arena.
Coming off of a 22-11 campaign in which it advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, UAB plays at UCF on Feb. 4. UTEP, which went 27-8 last year, travels to Orlando on March 4. Both programs have participated in two straight NCAA Tournaments.
"Now that the full schedule has been released, we are that much closer to starting play in Conference USA," said Speraw. "In C-USA games, there will be a challenge each night. We finally have some dates to look forward to as there will be some great teams coming to face us at home this season."
The Golden Knights open the year with a four-game homestand, which begins on Nov. 18 against cross-town foe, Rollins. During its non-league slate, the squad will travel to face a pair of national powers, Florida and Kentucky. Both teams played in the NCAA Tournament last season, with Kentucky advancing to the Elite Eight.
UCF will participate in the Fiesta Bowl Classic from Dec. 19-21 in Tucson, Ariz. In the first round, the Golden Knights will play Western Kentucky, a National Invitation Tournament team in 2005. Host Arizona (an Elite Eight participant) and Sam Houston State are also competing in the event.
Following the tournament in Arizona, the team returns home to host the UCF Holiday Classic (Dec. 29-30). Birmingham-Southern, North Florida and Western Illinois are slated to play at the two-day tournament.
In league play, UCF will face East Carolina, Houston and Marshall at both home and on the road. The Golden Knights also travel to Memphis (Jan. 28), Southern Miss (Feb. 8), SMU (Feb. 18) and Rice (Feb. 25) for conference matchups. Houston, Memphis and Rice all played in the postseason NIT in 2005.
The Golden Knights return three starters and seven letterwinners from last season's squad. Dating back to the start of the 2002-03 season, UCF has won 70 games - a mark that ranks 23rd nationally and first in the state of Florida during that span.
Season tickets are currently on sale. Call (407) UCF-1000 for more information or to purchase tickets.