Dec. 18, 2006
SAN JUAN (www.ucfathletics.com) - Members of the UCF men's basketball team began Sunday in familiar surroundings on campus in Orlando, but concluded the day in the Caribbean. The Golden Knights, who are set to compete in the San Juan Shootout starting Tuesday, traveled to Puerto Rico on Sunday, arriving on the island in the afternoon.
The squad is slated to open the tournament on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern against Utah. UCF is 6-1 on the year and will be playing away from home for the second time in 2006-07.
Sunday evening, the team practiced at Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo, the venue for the tournament. The session gave the Golden Knights the chance to get acclimated with the older facility, which features colorful grandstands behind each basket, creating unique sightlines.
"I like old gyms. I am used to playing in old gyms back home," said UCF junior guard Mike Battle (Waldorf, Md./Southern Maryland Christian Academy). "This gym has the old wood floors and loose rims. I am looking forward to playing here."
After arriving in San Juan, the Golden Knights did not have much time to explore the island. The team immediately checked into the tournament-host hotel, the Condado Plaza Resort, had a quick snack and then went to practice.
The Golden Knights will practice again on Monday afternoon at a local school in preparation with their contest against the Utes. Utah (4-5) participated in the event in 2000, going 2-1 at what was then called the Puerto Rico Shootout.