Dec. 15, 2009
By Andrew Gavin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A formidable opponent will stand in the way when UCF (2-4) attempts to end its three-game slide Wednesday night at the UCF Arena at 7 p.m. against No. 10/6 Florida State (8-0).
While UCF has dropped three-straight games, only seven combined points have kept the Knights from wins in all three contests. Most recently, UCF dropped a 64-62 decision to visiting Alabama on Monday night despite 23 points and 13 rebounds from Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.).
FSU has not played since posting a 78-50 victory over Alcorn State on Dec. 6. The `Noles are led in scoring by All-American candidate Jacinta Monroe, who is averaging 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
In last year's meeting between the two squads, FSU pulled out an 82-70 win in Tallahassee. Cannon led UCF in that contest as well with 21 points.
Having opened the season at #24 MTSU, UCF will be playing a ranked foe for the second time this year. Last year's 85-80 setback at the hands of No. 11 North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament marks the last time that UCF played a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The contest will feature a live audio internet broadcast through Stretch Audio Internet, and it can be heard free of charge by clicking here. Scott Adams and Andrew Gavin will be on the call, with the broadcast set to begin at 6:45 p.m.
? THE SERIES: Florida State holds a 13-2 advantage in the all-time series between the two programs. In last season's meeting, UCF fell in Tallahassee 82-70 on Dec. 31, 2008. Cannon led UCF in the contest with 21 points. The last meeting in Orlando came on Dec. 9, 2006, with FSU winning 75-66. UCF's last win in the series came on Jan. 18, 1986 in Orlando, a span of eight games.
? UCF VS. ACC: UCF is 7-32 all-time against the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the program's history, UCF has played six of the 12 current ACC teams. The Knights will look to end a 24-game losing streak, dating back to the Knights' 98-90 victory over Florida State on Jan. 18, 1986. UCF's last meeting with an ACC foe came on Mar. 21 against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.
? UCF VS. THE SUNSHINE STATE: In the history of the program, UCF has played 360 games against 25 different schools from the state of Florida. The Knights have an all-time record of 192-168 in those contests. The FSU game will be the last of four games against Sunshine State schools this season. UCF has defeated Bethune-Cookman and Jacksonville and lost to FAU.
? INTENSE STRETCH: After playing just four games through the season's first month, UCF is in the midst of an intense stretch. Tonight's contest marks the third of four games the Knights will play in nine days.
? START IT UP: Two members of the Knights' starting backcourt have lengthy current streaks of consecutive starts. Sophomore Aisha Patrick (Rockledge, Fla.) started her 30th-straight game at FAU, and has now started 39 of 40 games in her career. Junior Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) made her 30th-straight start against the Crimson Tide on Monday.
? STAT STUFFER: Most stat lines without double figures in any category do not stand out. However, Patrick's line against Alabama was an exception. The Rockledge, Fla. native finished the game with only five points, but added eight rebounds, seven assists and a career-high six steals.
? UCF'S FOUR-PACK: Through four games this season, UCF has shows it is a balanced team. Not only are returning all-conference players Cannon (14.8) and Wiley (10.7) averaging in double figures, but junior Marshay White (11.3) and Patrick (10.5) have joined them with averages over 10 per game. The foursome is the only group of four teammates in C-USA averaging in double figures.
? TOUGH SLATE: A year after playing one of the nation's most difficult non-conference schedules, UCF will again be challenged in 2009-10. The Knights' already played #24 MTSU, and the schedule also includes home games against ranked Notre Dame and Florida State teams. Notre Dame is currently third while FSU is ranked as high as seventh in one poll.
Season and single-game tickets are currently available with the UCF Ticket Office. Knight fans can purchase season tickets for each of the team's 14 home games for just $39. For more information on purchasing tickets, contact the UCF ticket office at (407) 823-1000.
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.