Nov. 12, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Following the Knights' win over Nevada in the inaugural game at the new UCF Arena on Sunday, UCF head coach Kirk Speraw eloquently told reporters that his squad just played against a top-notch program and a well-coached team. Speraw compared the Wolf Pack to Gonzaga, an under-the-radar program that regularly wins on the national stage.
Sure Nevada lost a pair of players to the National Basketball Association after last season Speraw said, but the Wolf Pack were still an elite program with talented athletes. With players like shooting guard Marcelus Kemp, a preseason candidate for the Naismith and Wooden Awards, and seven-footer JaVale McGee, Speraw knew that the Wolf Pack were sure to stay in the national spotlight.
Nevada (29-5 in 2006-07) entered the game with the Knights receiving votes in both national polls. Judging from the amount of NBA scouts in attendance for the game in Orlando, members of this season's Nevada team could one day play on the professional level.
Scouts from six NBA teams were in attendance on Sunday.
Kemp, who scored 19 points on 8-of-22 shooting from the floor against UCF, declared for the NBA Draft in the spring, but decided to return to school. Last year, he ranked 52nd nationally in scoring at 18.5 points per game.
The Knights handed the Wolf Pack a rare road loss. The squad went 10-2 in road contests last year.
Nevada lost just two contests overall to non-conference opponents in 2006-07, with one defeat coming to Memphis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Notes: The Knights had a rare off day on Monday. With the university closed for Veteran's Day, the players did not have class or practice to attend... The Knights and Nevada will meet again this season, playing in Reno on Dec. 16.