March 18, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Having been a member of two Final Four squads at Michigan State, Tom Herzog knows a thing or two about postseason basketball. As a result, the senior center realizes the value of the Knights continuing their season in the 2011 CBI presented by Zebra Pen.
After defeating St. Bonaventure Wednesday, Herzog and the Knights will host Rhode Island Monday at the UCF Arena in the CBI quarterfinals. Tipoff is 7 p.m. The fact that UCF is still playing, and Herzog is continuing his collegiate career, pleases the 7-footer.
"It is pretty cool to be able to keep playing. I came down here to play basketball, and it is good to be playing. I am happy," he said.
Herzog had an excellent game in the win over St. Bonaventure, finishing with 10 points and a block in only 16 minutes off the bench. He shot 5-of-5 from the floor and scored eight of his points in the second half, when the Knights pulled away from the Bonnies.
The Michigan native, who ranks in the top-50 nationally in blocks per game (2.1), had not seen much playing time prior to Wednesday after suffering an injury on Feb. 19 at UAB. But he looked more like himself against the Bonnies, and helped provide energy off the bench for UCF.
"It feels really good to be feeling more like myself," Herzog said. "It feels good being able to go out there and contribute."
Late in the second half, when the Knights were rolling and the passionate crowd at the UCF Arena was loud, Herzog had a big dunk over a St. Bonaventure post player.
The slam brought the players on the UCF bench to their feet. The Knights were happy that Herzog was a factor again for UCF.
"Tom has been through a lot," freshman forward Isaiah Sykes said. "It was good to see him out there. He is coming back healthy. He was a big help to us on offense and defense."