Oct. 5, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF fans can celebrate the official start of the college basketball season on Friday, Oct. 14 at the inaugural UKNIGHT Madness at the UCF Arena. The free event is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
UKNIGHT Madness will offer fans their first look at the 2011-12 UCF men's and women's basketball teams. Doors to the UCF Arena will open at 6:30 p.m. for a season ticket select-a-seat event. The first 1,000 fans to enter the arena will receive a free t-shirt. Several UCF students will be selected to participate in on-court contests during the event.
The evening includes a slam dunk contest, a skills competition featuring both teams and an autograph session following the event. KnightMoves will perform during the event, and music will be provided by the Jammin' Knights. Members of the UCF spirit squad and Knightro will also be on hand.
Men's basketball head coach Donnie Jones and women's basketball head coach Joi Williams will offer previews of their teams during the event. Both UCF squads are coming off of memorable seasons. In 2010-11, the women's team claimed its second Conference USA Championship title in the last three years and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Knights finished the campaign with 22 victories and posted an 11-game winning streak during the year.
During Jones' first year in Orlando, he guided the Knights to 21 wins, a 14-0 start to the season that included victories over No. 16 Florida, Miami, South Florida and Princeton, a spot in the national rankings for the first time in program history and an appearance in the postseason College Basketball Invitational.
Prior to UKNIGHT Madness, POWER 95.3 and 102 JAMZ will have live radio remotes outside the arena. Complimentary parking is available in Garage D and Garage F on campus.
Season tickets for UCF men's and women's basketball are available now by calling (407) UCF-1000 or by visiting UCFAthletics.com. Special premium seating options, ranging from club seats to luxury suites, are also available by calling the Golden Knights Club at (407) 823-2086.