Marcus Jordan/theshoegame.comBy Paul Seaver (TheArenaPulse) Last night, Memphis (6-0) needed overtime to defeat Arkansas State (1-6). A 78-71 victory propelled the Tigers, the dominant force in Conference USA, to a 6-0 start overall.
However, although Memphis sits unbeaten, they are not alone in the conference. A pesky, Southern Miss (5-0) squad is expected to threaten the Tigers at the top, but another program might be blooming even earlier than expected.
Donnie Jones took over at Central Florida this past off-season after a three-year campaign at Marshall. Jones went 55-41 at Marshall in that span, most recently coming off a 24-10 season a year ago.
Jones took over at UCF and to begin the season has the Knights at 6-0. Their most recent victory, an upset win over Florida (No. 15, The Arena Pulse) in Orlando.
UCF and sophomore Marcus Jordan were the story of last evening as the Knights picked up their first win against the Gators in nearly ten years.
In case you didn't know, Marcus, the son of NBA great Michael Jordan, is in his second year in Orlando and already has the Knights thinking about making a move in Conference USA.
Jordan, averaging 17 points per game, had a nifty reverse lay-up that had a flash of his father in it. An ankle-breaking crossover and a tough finish at the rim going from right to left in mid-air.
Other than his name, Jordan has not broke onto the college scene, in regards to his ability. Jordan is talented and just a sophomore, he and his UCF Knights might be poised for a great future, not only in the next two years, but even as soon as this season.
Jordan, a 6-foot-3 guard, leads the team in points per game, free throws made, free throws attempted, and steals. Other than the sophomore success of Jordan, UCF boasts 15.5ppg scorer Keith Clanton and leading assist-man A.J. Rompza.
The win over the Gators is a huge boost for a program that has not beaten Florida in some time and moving forward with a solid three-man recruiting class for next season, the Knights may be putting something together around first-year head coach Donnie Jones.
At 6-0 as the month of December gets going, UCF already has wins over South Florida and Florida under their belt, two solid resume boosters for a program in a conference that could threaten to get a team other than Memphis into the Big Dance.
Games with Southeastern Louisiana (4-1), Bethune-Cookman (3-4), and Louisiana-Lafayette (1-5) are on the immediate radar for Donnie Jones and Company. However, a match-up with Miami (FL) and a road game at currently undefeated UMass highlight the week prior to Christmas for UCF.
More quality opportunities for the Knights will come along as the year continues, but after last night's signature win over Florida, UCF might be moving towards bigger and better goals as the season rolls along. And, Mr. Marcus Jordan is leading the way.
*Photo: Marcus Jordan *Credit: theshoegame.com
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