ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The wait is over. The UCF men's basketball team will begin its second season under head coach Johnny Dawkins Friday night when the Mercer Bears visit CFE Arena for an 8 p.m. tipoff on ESPN3.
The Knights, who had a 12-game turnaround in year one under Dawkins, finishing 24-12 and earning a trip to the NIT Final Four, were picked by the coaches of The American to place third in the league this season.
Mercer also comes in highly regarded by its league's coaches. The Bears were picked to win the Southern Conference after returning all five starters from a year ago. Bob Hoffman's club was just 15-17 overall last season, but has a history of recent success.
In his 10 years at the helm, Hoffman has led Mercer to five postseason tournaments, 14 postseason victories, a CIT Championship and 2012 and an NCAA Tournament First Round upset over Duke back in 2014.
Friday night marks the first of three straight home games for UCF. The Knights will host Gardner-Webb on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. and William & Mary on Nov. 18 at 2 p.m., before traveling down the road to compete in the AdvoCare Invitational at ESPN's Wide World of Sports.
GAME INFO
Date: Friday, Nov. 10
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN3/WatchESPN
Radio: FM 96.9/AM 740 The Game
Live Stats: http://ucfknights.co/MBBLiveStats1718
NOTES TO KNOW
- UCF is receiving votes in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 for the first time in program history. The Knights were receiving votes in either the AP or Coaches Poll three times last season.
- UCF has won 13 of its last 14 season openers. Last season the Knights won 80-56 in the opener against Nicholls.
- UCF owns a 17-13 advantage over Mercer in the all-time series between the two teams, which dates back to their time together in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
- The series is tied 7-7 in games played in Orlando.
- B.J. Taylor and Tacko Fall were honored by The American this fall, earning First and Second Team Preseason All-Conference honors, respectively.
- UCF led the nation in field goal percentage defense last year, holding opponents to just 36.5 percent shooting from the floor.
PROMOTIONS
- The first 750 students in attendance will pick-up a brand new Knightmare T-shirt.
- Fans in attendance Friday night will also be able to grab a Orlando's Hometown Court towel while supplies last.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign are on sale now. Fans looking to purchase tickets can call (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFKnights.com to secure them today. For men's basketball tickets CLICK HERE.
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