Oct. 15, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - No Knights were selected to the All-Conference USA Preseason Team at the league's media day on Oct. 11, but a trio of UCF players have received recognition from several national basketball magazines. Senior guard Mike O'Donnell (Largo, Fla./Largo), junior guard/forward Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares) and freshman forward/center Jean Michel Yotio (Abidijan, Ivory Coast) are recognized in the publications.
In the CBSSports.com college basketball preview, Taylor was named to the all-league second team. In 2006-07, Taylor averaged 12.7 points and shot 47.4 percent overall. He came off the bench in all 31 of the Knights games, playing 25.2 minutes per contest.
Lindy's recognized O'Donnell as the top shooter in the conference. The point guard ranked second in C-USA a year ago, shooting 43 percent from 3-point range. He drained 68 triples and averaged 10.3 points.
Prior to last season, UCF small forward Josh Peppers was named to the All-C-USA First Team by several preseason publications. Peppers averaged a team-best 14.3 points per game as a senior and was named to the all-conference second team following the regular season.
Yotio was also mentioned in Lindy's. In a list of C-USA's freshmen, Yotio was recognized as the top rebounder. Playing at Montverde Academy last season, Yotio averaged six boards in just 15 minutes of action.
Season tickets are currently available by calling 407-UCF-1000. One lucky season ticket holder for will get to drive home from the new UCF Arena in a brand new 2008 UCF edition Mazda CX-9, courtesy of Classic Mazda, the presenting sponsor of this year's season ticket drive. UCF fans who purchase two season tickets be entered into a drawing to win the 2008 UCF edition Mazda CX-9.
The Knights open the campaign at home on Nov. 11 against Nevada. The squad will play 16 regular-season contests at home this year.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Notes: The Knights practiced for three hours on Monday afternoon... Several news outlets attended the practice session, including WFTV-9 and Central Florida News 13... Each day prior to the Knights' session, the UCF women's team is practicing.