Dec. 20, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Today, UCF players are enjoying a rare event: a day off. With most players heading home for the holidays and school on break, members of the squad have no classes, practices or film sessions to deal with.
The Knights practiced at the new UCF Arena on Wednesday morning. Head coach Kirk Speraw has scheduled a practice for Christmas night, so the team will have five days off before returning to campus.
UCF's next contest is slated for Dec. 28 at home against traditional power Connecticut. The Knights' last game was Dec. 16 at Nevada.
Speraw rarely gives his team breaks this long. As a result, he expects his players to stay conditioned and focused while at home.
"This is going to be one of the most difficult holiday periods that we have ever had because of the long break. We worked hard on conditioning (before the players went home)," Speraw said. "It is going to be hard on us mentally, but our guys have to be dedicated during the break."
Once back in Orlando, the Knights will practice four times before facing the Huskies. Connecticut is 7-2 this year and ranks first nationally in blocked shots per game (9.1).
The contest from the new UCF Arena begins at 8 p.m. and will be televised live nationally on CSTV.
The UCF Athletics Association is offering a special holiday ticket package. For $25, fans will receive tickets to the Connecticut contest and for both of UCF's games at the UCF Holiday Classic (Dec. 30-31). The holiday package provides fans with a $10 discount as tickets to these three contests usually cost $35.
Fans should call 407-UCF-1000 to purchase the ticket package.
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: UCF announced yesterday time changes for the UCF Holiday Classic. Contests both days will begin at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Knights will play the New Jersey Institute of Technology to open the tournament at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 30. The following day, the consolation game is set for 1 p.m., followed by the championship (3:30 p.m.)... Former Virginia head coach Pete Gillen will provide color commentary for CSTV during the Connecticut game. He will be joined by play-by-play man Carter Blackburn.