Dec. 12, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Following their 65-52 win over Louisiana-Lafayette yesterday, the Knights have now played five regular-season contests at the new UCF Arena. The new facility is paying big dividends for the Knights, who are 4-1 on campus in 2007-08.
UCF is shooting 45.6 percent from the field at the new facility, but just 35.5 percent from 3-point range.
Senior guard Mike O'Donnell (Largo, Fla./Largo) feels that the Knights are finally familiar with shooting in the new building, which offers a different look than the old UCF Arena, which was small, cramped and dark.
The old arena featured a unique design, with walls behind each basket. The new venue has seating behind the baskets.
"The old arena is very similar to a high school gym. When you get in a bigger arena and there are fans behind the basket, you have to rely on your confidence and measure up the shot," O'Donnell said. "The court feels longer, because there is no wall behind it. You just have to get used to it. We have been in there (new arena) enough, where we are starting to get used to it."
In Tuesday's win, the Knights shot 45.4 percent from deep.
UCF will have a long gap between home games. The squad's next home tilt is set for Dec. 28 against traditional power Connecticut.
On Sunday, the Knights will play their first road game outside the state of Florida this year, facing Nevada in Reno.
Single-game tickets for all home contests are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and at the UCF ticket office at Bright House Networks Stadium.
Season tickets are still available by calling 407-UCF-1000.
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 UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports photos.
Notes: On Wednesday afternoon, the Knights practiced for three hours inside the new UCF Arena... Averaging 17.7 points per game, junior guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Taveras) ranks fifth in Conference USA in scoring.