Feb. 10, 2006
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ORLANDO - The UCF men's basketball team will be seeking its eighth win at home this year when it hosts Tulane on Saturday. Tip-off for the Conference USA contest at Torchy Clark Court at UCF Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.
Defense has been the key this season for the Golden Knights (9-11, 3-4 C-USA), who are limiting opponents to only 63.5 points per game. Only two of UCF's seven league foes (Memphis, UAB) have scored more than 75 points against the Golden Knights.
Tulane enters the contest with a 9-12 overall mark and a 4-4 record in C-USA play.
Tickets for the game are still available. Call (407) UCF-GOLD for more information or to purchase tickets.
The contest will be aired live on the UCF ISP Sports Network and its flagship station, WQTM - 740 THE TEAM. Marc Daniels will have the call from courtside. Audio of the contest is also available on www.UCFathletics.com as part of the "Golden Knights All-Access" package.
UCF LAST TIME OUT Despite a career-high 19 points from Mike O'Donnell, UCF dropped a 59-51 contest at Southern Miss on Wednesday. After shooting 50 percent from the floor in the first half and leading by four points at the break, the Golden Knights shot just 33.3 percent in the second stanza. The Golden Eagles made 17 free throws in the second half. UCF committed 16 turnovers, compared to just five for the hosts. Anthony Williams recorded his first double-double of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
ABOUT TULANE The Green Wave have won four-consecutive games, including three in a row in league play. On Tuesday, Tulane stepped out of conference and posted an 87-41 victory over cross-town foe Loyola. The Green Wave limited the NAIA school to just 15 points in the second half. Tulane shot 58.5 percent overall and 52.9 percent from three-point range. Quincy Davis totaled 18 points and seven rebounds. The Green Wave bench produced 36 points, led by Andrew Garcia with 13.
The team is 1-7 in road games this year. Due to Hurricane Katrina, Tulane was forced to play its first four home games in College Station, Texas. On the year, Davis leads the team with 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds an outing. His 56.6 field-goal percentage and 1.76 blocks per game average are both good for second in Conference USA. The Green Wave is limiting foes to 65 points each game and is the second-best team in the league in field-goal percentage defense (38.3).
SERIES HISTORY The all-time series is tied, 1-1. The squads will be meeting in Orlando for the first time. On Nov. 29, 2002, UCF recorded a 66-61 victory over the Green Wave in first round action at the University Hoops Classic in New Orleans. The Golden Knights would go to claim the tournament title, topping Maine and Indiana State.
Against the Green Wave, Troy Lindbeck, then a freshman, played 24 minutes and scored 13 points. He connected on three shots from deep. Ray Abellard paced UCF with 22 points and Marius Boyd had a game-high nine rebounds. Lindbeck and Will Bakanowsky, who is redshirting this year, are the only current Golden Knights to appear in that contest. No current Tulane players played against UCF in 2002.
WILLIAMS LEADS THE WAY Anthony Williams has shined during Conference USA play. In seven league contests, the senior forward is averaging 14.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. He is shooting 52 percent overall and is averaging 1.4 blocks a contest. In non-league games, Williams is averaging only 7.6 points and 4.2 boards. In UCF's first C-USA road game at Houston on Jan. 14, he recorded a season-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting and also totaled nine rebounds and five blocks.
O'DONNELL DELIVERS In UCF's last two games, Mike O'Donnell is averaging 18 points. O'Donnell has hit 12 three-pointers during that span. He is averaging 10 points in league play.
ANT IS ACCURATE Anthony Williams' 51.2 field-goal percentage is good for fifth in Conference USA. He is shooting 52 percent from the field in league games.
MOVING UP THE CHARTS Troy Lindbeck has played in 113 games as a Golden Knight, a mark that ranks fifth in school history. Jason Thornton (1998-02) appeared in 121 contests during his career and is UCF's all-time leader in the category.
LONG-RANGE GAME Anthony Williams hit his first career three-pointer at Southern Miss on Feb. 8. The trifecta came on his 409th career field-goal attempt. During his UCF career, Williams has attempted three shots from behind-the-arc.
FOR STARTERS Josh Peppers has started 41-consecutive games for UCF. He is the first Golden Knight to make at least 40 starts in a row since Roberto Morentin started 51-straight contests (Nov. 22, 2002-Jan. 31, 2004). This season, Peppers and Mike O'Donnell are the only Golden Knights to start every game.
MAN OF STEAL Mike O'Donnell leads the Golden Knights with 36 steals on the year. His 1.8 steals per contest ranks eighth in Conference USA.
THIS DATE IN UCF HISTORY On Feb. 11, 1995, the host Golden Knights jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never trailed in an 82-62 victory over Campbell. UCF shot 55 percent for the game. Patrick Butts posted a game-high 20 points in the win.
UP NEXT The Golden Knights host Houston on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m... The squads met for the first time on Jan. 14 in Houston and UCF earned its first Conference USA win with a 66-56 victory. Anthony Williams scored 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the floor and also posted nine rebounds and five blocks for UCF. The Golden Knights limited the Cougars to just 31 percent shooting overall. Houston entered the game averaging 77.5 points per contest. Justin Rose grabbed 14 rebounds and totaled 11 points in the winning effort. Mike O'Donnell played all 40 minutes and recorded seven points, seven assists and only two turnovers. UCF shot 50 percent overall and 47.4 percent form three-point range as it never trailed during the contest. Ramon Dyer led Houston with 18 points.