Dec. 2, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - When UCF's players learned of the team's 2007-08 schedule over the summer, senior guard Mike O'Donnell was pleased for many reasons. Not only were the Knights set to compete against some of the nation's top teams, but the squad would be playing in Florida early and often.
Despite playing eight home non-conference contests last year, it seemed like the Knights were never in Orlando. The squad made trips to Colorado, Minnesota and South Dakota before opening league play and also participated in the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico.
The trips were great for sightseeing, but not for each player's well-being. Road games equal late-night practices, long days in hotels and early wakeup calls.
"I am without a doubt, a homebody," O'Donnell said. "I do not mind travelling, but at the same time, there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed."
For that reason, O'Donnell was excited with the schedule. The Knights' have already played seven games this season, but have not yet left the middle part of the state.
Three of UCF's games have been at home, three were in nearby Lake Buena Vista at the Old Spice Classic and yesterday's game was at USF in Tampa. The Knights' next two games are in Orlando. The squad will leave Florida for the first time in mid-December when it travels west to face Nevada in Reno.
Following the matchup with the Wolf Pack, UCF will play three more contests at home before concluding non-conference play against Sam Houston State on Jan. 5 in Texas.
UCF will meet Ole Miss on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the new UCF Arena. Single-game tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and at the UCF ticket office at Bright House Networks Stadium.
Notes: A pair of former Knights were in attendance at the Sun Dome yesterday to watch the Knights play USF. Troy Lindbeck and Josh Bodden both sat in the stands behind UCF's bench... The Knights have no weekday games this week due to final exams.