Dec. 11, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Playing with some of the best scorers in UCF history, Mike Spivey did not need to be a star on the offensive end. With teammates like Bo Clark, Cleveland Jackson and Jerry Prather handling the scoring, Spivey developed into a defensive stopper for some of the best teams in program history. A junior-college transfer, Spivey played for head coach Torchy Clark from 1976-78.
With Bo Clark out of the lineup due to an injury in 1977-78, Spivey stepped in as the Knights' starting shooting guard. The result was the best team of UCF's Division II era.
Bolstered by a 24-game winning streak, the squad won 26 games and advanced to the Division II Final Four in Springfield, Mo.
He had a pair of strong games for UCF at the national championship. In the semifinals, he totaled 12 points and 10 rebounds, plus a pair of steals, against Cheyney State. He followed that performance with 17 points, 10 boards and two steals in 38 minutes versus Eastern Illinois in the consolation game.
Prather, who was an All-America selection after averaging 21.3 points, and Jackson (18.4), handled the scoring duties for the Knights, allowing Spivey to focus on the defensive end. Spivey still averaged 12.2 points during the campaign.
The 2008-09 Knights are scheduled to return to action Friday, hosting Florida Tech at the UCF Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
A UCF Basketball Outback Steakhouse Four-Pack is currently available for only $50 by calling the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000. The four-pack offers the best seat available at the UCF Arena for the Knights' Jan. 10 contest with national power Memphis. The package also includes tickets to UCF's Conference USA games with SMU (Jan. 28), Houston (Feb. 4) and East Carolina (March 7).
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
The 2008-09 campaign marks the UCF men's basketball program's 40th season. To commemorate the anniversary, UCF is unveiling the top-40 players in school history. Members of the UCF athletics communications office worked with UCF basketball historian Bill Beekman to select the best players who finished their collegiate careers as Knights. One player from the list will be recognized each Thursday at UCFAthletics.com.