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UCF Fastbreak - Oct. 22

Oct. 22, 2007

ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The Knights are happy to be home. After holding official practices for over a week inside the new UCF Arena, members of the men's basketball team have been impressed with the facility.

UCF is entering its first campaign inside the 10,000-seat arena. The new building has all of the amenities that the old UCF Arena lacked: a state-of-the-art scoreboard with four video screens, luxury suites and boxes and numerous concession options.

"When you walk in, you feel the aura of a big-time college basketball program. We want to make UCF a national power," said senior guard Mike O'Donnell (Largo, Fla./Largo). "This arena is a major step in that process."

O'Donnell is no stranger to top-notch facilities. As a freshman in 2003-04 at NC State, he had the chance to play in the RBC Center, which was two-years old at the time. The facility has room for 19,722 fans and is also home to the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League.

Starting in September, the Knights had individual workouts at the new UCF Arena. They held their first official practice inside the facility on Oct. 12.

The Knights open the campaign at home on Nov. 11 against Nevada. The squad will play 16 regular-season contests at home this year.

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 Mazda CX-9.

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: Renovation work has already began inside the old UCF Arena. Construction crews have started tearing down the walls inside the old basketball locker rooms. The Knights played at the intimate, 5,100-seat venue from 1991-2007.