UAB up first for Knights in Conference USA Tournament
Game set for 10 p.m., broadcast on CBS College Sports
Published: Thursday, March 8, 2012
Updated: Thursday, March 8, 2012 11:03
It's make or break time for the UCF Knights men's basketball team.
The Knights (21-9) will tipoff in the Conference USA Tournament tonight, debuting in the quarterfinals after receiving a first-round bye. No. 4 seed UCF will take on No. 5 seed UAB (15-15) tonight in the tournament's late game (10 p.m. Eastern time, 9 p.m. locally in Memphis), set to be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
The Blazers opened up the tournament last night by defeating No. 12 seed Tulane (15-16), 72-64.
The Knights swept the Blazers in two regular season meetings, after previously having never defeated UAB. UCF grinded out a low-scoring affair in Birmingham in January, 48-41, and sent their seniors off in fashion in the regular season finale, 71-63.
That said, all bets are off come tournament time.
UCF will be building off of a positive from the last contest against UAB, which took place on Saturday. Junior guard Marcus Jordan, who'd been slumping of late with opposing defenses keying on him, broke out for 16 points and four 3-pointers to help lead the Knights.
Coach Donnie Jones will hope for more of the same from Jordan and company, as the Knights cling to the C-USA Tournament as their likely only chance of making the NCAA Tournament this year.
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