Preview -- UCF Golden Knights

The University of Central Florida Athletic Department has released a preview of the 2007-08 Golden Knights in a series of articles. Since the Golden Knights will be Villanova's first opponent in the 2007 Old Spice Classic, November 22, the articles may be of interest to those fans who want to know a little more about the Knights. The series breaks the team down by position --

• point guards
  • Mike O'Donnell -- senior, 2yr starter, transfer from NC State
  • Chip Cartwright -- senior, 2yr reserve, JUCO from Angelina College, TX
  • Taylor Young -- redshirt freshman
• shooting guards
  • David Noel -- senior 1yr starter at 2g, transfer from UNC - Wilmington
  • Mike Battle -- senior, 1yr reserve, JUCO from Paris Junior College, TX
  • Drew Speraw -- redshirt sophomore, 1yr reserve, son of coach
  • Chris Baez -- true freshman, prep from Lee Academy, ME
• small forwards Josh Peppers graduated, Knights need a replacement
  • Jermaine Taylor -- junior, 2yr reserve
  • Cordell Pope -- true freshman
• power forwards Lavell Payne graduated, Knights need a replacement.
  • Tony Davis -- sophomore, 1yr reserve
  • Andre Thornton -- sophomore, 1yr reserve
  • Jean Michel Yotio -- true freshman, Montverde Academy, FL
  and...
• centers
  • Kenrick Zondervan -- junior 1yr starter, 1yr reserve, native of Netherlands
  • Stanley Billings -- senior, 1yr reserve, JUCO from Independence Community College, KS
  • Will Bakanowsky -- 5^th yr senior, 3yr starter/reserve

The Golden Knights were picked to finish 6^th by CUSA coaches in their Media Day preseason poll. No UCF players were selected to the All CUSA Team.