Jan. 5, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF men's basketball head coach Kirk Speraw announced on Thursday that senior center Will Bakanowsky and junior guard Mike Battle will redshirt this season. Due to injuries, Bakanowsky and Battle have not appeared in any of the Golden Knights' 12 games in 2005-06.
Bakanowsky, UCF's starting center a year ago, has not played for precautionary reasons due to concussions. In 2004-05, he made 26 starts and averaged 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Bakanowsky has not seen action since UCF's contest at the 2005 NCAA Tournament when he scored 15 points and added seven rebounds against Connecticut.
Battle, a transfer from Paris Junior College in Texas, was expected to compete for a starting guard position this year. He has not played due to a stress fracture of the tibia. Last year, he averaged 9.5 points per game and helped lead Paris to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I title.
UCF (6-6) will play its inaugural Conference USA game on Wednesday, hosting Marshall at 7:30 p.m.