Marcus Jordan leads Central Florida to its biggest win ever

In the span of two joyous hours on Wednesday night, Marcus Jordan dispelled two of the biggest myths about his basketball career.

First, he showed a national TV audience that he's the face of Central Florida basketball for more than just being Michael Jordan's youngest son. Secondly, he proved that his team doesn't have to wait until a heralded group of 2011 recruits and transfers arrive to contend for an NCAA tournament berth.

Jordan scored a game-high 18 points as Central Florida earned its first-ever victory over a top-20 opponent, a 57-54 upset of No. 16 Florida. In the second half, the sophomore guard also provided the game's signature moment, crossing over Florida's Kenny Boyton and finishing the play with a sweet go-ahead left-handed layup.

[Video: WATCH MARCUS JORDAN'S LAYUP HERE]

What's most surprising about Central Florida's victory is that the Knights weren't supposed to be capable of this sort of upset until an influx of talent joins the team next season. First-year coach Donnie Jones signed promising three-star forwards Rod Days and Kasey Wilson, and landed transfers Tristan Spurlock (Virginia), Josh Crittle (Oregon) and Jeffrey Jordan (Illinois).

The biggest reason Central Florida remains the lone undefeated team in its state is because of the improvement of Jordan, a role player as a freshman who made more headlines off the court than on it. He cost the university its $3 million sports-apparel contract with adidas when he insisted upon wearing Nikes in honor of his father and he also sparked controversy by admitting on Twitter that he blew $56,000 in a single day in Las Vegas.

It remains to be seen whether Jordan tones down his behavior, but for right now it's his play that's doing the talking. He has more than doubled his scoring average from last season to 16.8 points per game on 56.4 percent shooting from the field, leading the Knights to six straight victories to open the season.

If Jordan and fellow sophomore Keith Clanton keep performing the way they have so far, Central Florida has a legitimate chance to contend for its first NCAA tournament berth since joining Conference USA in 2005. The league is wide-open behind favorite Memphis, meaning the Knights will probably spar with the likes of UTEP, Tulsa and Southern Mississippi for second place.

It's too soon to say for certain whether Central Florida can sustain this momentum, but the Knights should take solace either way.

With two sophomore stars and a horde of talented newcomers on the way, this is a program on the rise.

Kylie Bax Diora Baird Laura Prepon Ashley Scott Michelle Behennah