2009-2010 Preview, USF News

2009-2010 BIG EAST PREVIEW: 14) SOUTH FLORIDA

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Since the South Florida Bulls moved from Conference USA to the Big East there has not been much basketball joy in the Tampa/St. Pete area. USF has lost 81 games in the four seasons, including 57 of 68 league games and 34 of 36 Big East road contests. Even with everything stacked against them, there might finally be some optimism for Bulls fans heading into the 2009-2010 season as Stan Heath’s club looks to become a viable threat to climb out the lower quarter of the conference.

Many consider the job of basketball coach at South Florida to be the toughest such position in the Big East. While the state of Florida certainly has plenty of talented basketball prospects, it is not like the deep talent pool of football which can sustain in-state rivals such as Miami, University of Florida and Florida State as national powers in that sport. The USF football program has also risen to a status of a national threat, but on the hoops side, the Sunshine State can not supply the four schools with everything they need to compete consistently at the top of their conferences. Last year only Florida State made the NCAA Tournament and in 2007-2008, only Miami made the Big Dance of the state’s four major conference teams.

While talk of the NCAA Tournament is still quite premature for the Bulls, talk of improvement can certainly be noted. Once again, the team is young and the depth is not up to par with the Big East challengers, the top-level talent of the Bulls continues to increase. While transfers in and transfers out seems to keep the USF roster in a constant state of flux, come January the Bulls’ top six should be a formidable group of players.

2009-2010 Outlook

Last season USF won a program-best four Big East conference games. They were able to visit the Big East Tournament for the first time, although it was still by default as all 16 teams were invited. This season, improvement is the goal once again. While eclipsing four wins in the Big East does not sound like a goal to be proud of, winning five or six, or even more, would represent another step forward. With just two seniors on the roster, it would also set South Florida up for more continued improvement ahead.

The Frontcourt

South Florida has always had trouble finding talent and depth in the frontcourt. While depth is still a question mark, USF finally looks to have a pair of big men they can run out there every game and be confident they possess Big East talent. Sophomore power forward Augustus Gilchrist and JUCO transfer Jarrid Famous represent a promising duo in the paint.

Last season, Gilchrist joined the action after sitting out the first semester and averaged 10.2 points a game and 4.4 rebounds. Gilchrist had originally signed with Virginia Tech and then enrolled at Maryland before landing at USF in a much talked about transfer prior to last season. The 6-foot-10, 235 pounder has an intriguing inside-out game that can extend out beyond the three-point arc. He looks to be a perfect compliment to the 6-foot-11 Famous, who was a JUCO All-American last season at Westchester (NY) CC.

Injuries have decimated the Bulls in recent years and that trend continues as key frontcourt reserve Alex Rivas underwent surgery on both legs in September and is likely sidelined well into December. The 6-foot-10 senior averaged 4.2 points and 4.7 rebounds a game last year and would be excellent depth in the post for the Bulls if he can regain his health. The other frontcourt member is 6-foot-8 freshman forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick. The local Tampa (FL) King HS product originally signed with Georgia Southern last fall, but got a release when there was a coaching change and joined the Bulls last spring.

The Backcourt

The South Florida backcourt is home to one of the league’s most dynamic performers, 6-foot-4 guard Dominique Jones. The Lake Wales (FL) native led USF in scoring (18.1 points/game), rebounds (5.6/game), steals (1.3/game) and was second in assists (3.9/game). His 19 points a game in league play was the fourth best in the conference last season.

Senior Chris Howard returns and the experienced lead guard will likely handle most of the point guard duties. Howard saw his numbers dip a little bit last season after being one of the league’s top assist men as a freshman and sophomore. He averaged over 34 minutes a game, but his production slipped to averages of 7.7 points and 4.1 assists. In mid December, Ohio State transfer Anthony Crater will join the mix and give the USF backcourt another gear. His quickness and ballhandling ability is unique to USF and something they have sorely lacked in the previous seasons. Crater was a sought after recruit originally from Flint (MI) but left Ohio State after just 10 games in his freshman season. He is expected to be the Bulls point guard of the future.

The biggest key for this season’s squad will be their production on the wing. Incoming freshmen Jordan Dumars (the son of Piston great Joe Dumars), prep school shooting standout Mike Burwell and North Port (FL) product Shaun Noriega all have reputations of being able to score the basketball, but for USF to be better than anticipated Mike Mercer has to finally live up to his billing.

While injuries and time away from basketball for disciplinary purposes will likely add a layer of rust tough to knock off, Mercer could emerge as the wing threat that hold the USF attack together. Once a dynamic offense threat with the talent to play all three backcourt positions, if Mercer can add stability on the wing, score when the opportunity presents itself and stay out of trouble, USF could have a very impressive starting unit.

Of the newcomers on the wing, Burwell could be one that plays a big role. The Bulls lack a consistent perimeter shooting threat, but Burwell has a reputation as a lights-out shooter from beyond the arc and was the leading scorer last season at prep power South Kent (CT) School. If he can provide consistent perimeter shooting off the bench on the wing it would be a huge lift to the team.

Providing additional backcourt depth is sophomore point guard Justin Leemow, who was pressed into action last season due to defections and injuries. Another player that could possible factor in the mix once football season is over is BJ Daniels. The sophomore guard saw action in 19 games last season, but is currently the South Florida starting quarterback as a redshirt frosh on the football team.

Conclusion

This is the best team Stan Heath has had at his disposal since taking over the reigns at South Florida. Still, moving up in the Big East is a tough task and the Bulls will have to battle inexperience and a lack of depth, two areas that can cause a team to get swarmed over in this conference. The team still has elements coming and going, with Rivas injured, Crater sitting out the first semester and Mercer returning to action after seeing very little game action the last two and a half years. Once everyone is healthy and acclimated, USF will likely be a tough out in the conference if they can keep their team together, which has yet to be the case since joining the Big East.

A goal for the Bulls is to improve on last year’s win total and gain the experience to be more of a factor in the conference in the future. Stan Heath has won at the major conference level previously and is showing the patience to see the process through, but it is still ongoing into his third season at the helm of South Florida.

2009-2010 Big East Prediction: 5-13

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