Nov. 7, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - On Sunday, UCF fans will experience a rare occurrence for the second time this year - the inaugural game at a new facility. The UCF men's basketball team will host Nevada at 2 p.m. inside the 10,000-seat new UCF Arena.
Most of the Knights were in attendance as the UCF football team opened Bright House Networks Stadium on Sept. 15 against national power Texas. The details surrounding the two contests are very similar.
Like the nationally-prominent Longhorns, Nevada is a program that is well-known across the country. The Wolf Pack have made four-straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and went 29-5 last year.
In 2006-07, Nevada advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to Conference USA champion Memphis. Two members of the Wolf Pack were selected in the 2007 National Basketball Association Draft.
Despite losing center Nick Fazekas and guard Ramon Sessions to the NBA, the Wolf Pack are still expected to be one of the better teams in the nation this season. In the current USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches Poll, Nevada is receiving eight votes.
Guard Marcelus Kemp tested the NBA waters over the summer, but decided to return to Nevada. A candidate for the John Wooden Award, which is presented to the top player in the nation, Kemp averaged 18.5 per game a year ago.
The same talk that the UCF football players heard before the Texas game, the men's basketball players are hearing about the Wolf Pack.
UCF senior guard Mike O'Donnell (Largo, Fla./Largo) feels that his team benefited from watching the inaugural game at Bright House Networks Stadium in September. The Longhorns claimed a 35-32 win in the game.
"The football team did an unbelievable job against Texas. I think it is the same situation," O'Donnell said. "We are going up against Nevada, a top-25 team from last year. They are one of the better programs and they are going to come ready to play."
UCF and the Wolf Pack have never met on the hardwood. Ironically, the schools met on the gridiron in the 2005 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, with the Wolf Pack posting a 49-48 victory in overtime.
Season tickets are currently available by calling 407-UCF-1000. One lucky season ticket holder 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.
Single-game tickets are also currently available.
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: Following their exhibition game win over Florida Southern yesterday, the Knights did not practice on Wednesday... The squad will practice at the new UCF Arena on Thursday afternoon.