Jan. 10, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - When UCF joined Conference USA prior to the 2005-06 campaign with five other programs, the Knights faced the biggest increase in competition among the new schools. Head coach Kirk Speraw's program joined C-USA from the Atlantic Sun, while Marshall joined the league from the Mid-American and Rice, SMU, Tulsa and UTEP came from the Western Athletic.
Since joining C-USA, the Knights have recorded 19 league victories, the most among the new members. UTEP (18), Tulsa (15), Rice (14), Marshall (13) and SMU (7) follow UCF.
In 2006-07, UCF finished second in the 12-team league with an 11-5 conference record.
Speraw's team is 1-0 in C-USA play this year after posting a 52-41 victory over host Southern Miss on Tuesday. UCF limited the Golden Eagles to just 32.6 percent shooting from the floor.
Senior guard Dave Noel (Boynton Beach, Fla./Boynton Beach) paced the Knights with 17 points. On the season, he is second on the team in scoring (13.1).
UCF will play its inaugural league game inside the new UCF Arena on Saturday, hosting Tulsa at 7 p.m. All fans in attendance at the game will receive a complimentary 2007 UCF football poster.
The UCF Athletics Association is offering a C-USA Pack ticket deal that includes tickets to the Knights' eight league home games. For more information about the ticket package, call 407-UCF-1000.
UCF students are admitted free to all home games.
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 pics.
Notes: Averaging 19.5 points per game, junior guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares) ranks 34th nationally... UCF is slated to practice at the new UCF Arena on Thursday afternoon... The Knights are 6-2 at home this season.