Scouting for the Providence Game

Here we go again, the Bulls, 6-12 (0-5) and losers of 7 straight are back at home to take on the 11-7 (0-5) Providence Friars (yes, the Friars). This is a showdown between two of the bottom dwellers in the Big East and a chance for the Bulls to try to get a victory at home and avoid last place. The game is tomorrow in the Sun Dome so make sure to come out and cheer them on, game starts at noon. Also stay after for the 3:30 game as the USF ladies take on Marquette.

The Friars are led by Marshon Brooks. Brooks leads the team with 23.2 ppg. The 6'5" 190-pound guard-forward is a dangerous shooter (35% from 3-point range). He can drive to the hop and create his own shot, which makes him the priority to shut down for USF. The Bulls will also have to watch out for 6'2" 180-pound guard Vincent Council who averages 15 ppg and 6.4 assists per game. Inside, Bilal Dixon, 6'8" 228-pounds (forward-center) averages 6.6 ppg and 8.1 rebounds per game and will be the key matchup for the USF big men such as Famous and Anderson.

The Friars are ranked 17th in rebounding in the country and average 78 points per game. USF is 67 in rebounding and 300th (wow, oh wow) in total scoring. The Bulls will have to win the battle in the paint in order to secure rebounding and get the ball moving to the perimeter when the Friars collapse the paint and try to shutdown the USF inside game.

This game is so hard to call. The Friars pushed Syracuse to the edge but were blown out by West Virginia by 30 points, so which Friar team shows up? The Bulls have been playing well, pushing every team to the max and keeping it close or leading at times against ranked foes (Villanova, Louisville, and Cincinnati). The Bulls are home for this one, but will need to fire up the home crowd (raise your hand if you are going!). Gilchrist has to come up big, Crater has to play the point well and get on people on defense, and JAWANZA Poland will have to stay out of foul trouble long enough to get something going on offense. I can't believe it, I am going with the Bulls in this one: USF 72 Providence 66

Just a note here, if the Bulls do lose this game, the Robert McCullum and Chris Capko references will begin, no one wants that to happen, so better cheer for the Bulls.