Time to Rally

Stan Heath needs some support from the fans (Picture credits: TBO.com)

After watching the Bulls fall face first in the beat down by Notre Dame, I looked around the Sun Dome to see a sea of blue and green, the Irish were everywhere. The game totaled over 6000 people in attendance and I would guess that around 4500 or more were Irish fans (by the sound of the crowd around the dome, this may be true). While everyone is calling for Heath's head, there are a few things that should be pointed out about why the men's basketball program is in such bad shape.[keep reading]

Team Support

There is no team support. Watching the game, I saw what was supposed to be the student section. There was a solid group of fans in the front row, but the rest of them were disorganized, empty seats, and no energy in the crowd like you would see from any other basketball team. I understand the team is bad and it is a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Tampa, but where is the support? This is YOUR school, YOUR team, so why not try to act like you actually care? The Bull fans are not unified, as was the case for this game and all season long. Looking through the stands I saw different color shirts, even two people near me wearing Ohio State and Pittsburgh shirts. This cannot happen. Where is the school pride? Is it really that hard for the fans to all wear a green shirt or at least something with a USF logo on it?

I understand I am venting, but enough is enough. It's time for the fans to stand up and unite in support of this team. The only way this program will get on the map, get energy, and get some recruits in is for the fans to show up. Please wear green to a game, be loud, and be patient in the team.

The Team Itself

This roster of players is just not that good. Crater shouldn't be a point guard in this league at all. I'm sure he couldn't be the point guard in a weaker conference or in another Division at this point, he simply is not the man. Famous is awful this year and continues to get worse. Gilchrist can't shoot anymore and teams are now loading up on him in the paint. Robertson and Poland are nice players, but can't carry or lead a team. Anderson is a battling man and is one of the lone bright spots on this roster. Noriega is hit and miss and Burwell is MIA.

Yes, this roster is bad, but we need to support our team and our fellow students out there. They are trying their best and are down right now. It is easy to put them on blast, but despite their shortcomings, we should clap when they are announced and hope they are able to build something positive at the end of the season as they look to next year.

The Coaches

There has been a lot of talk about Coach Stan Heath, mostly rumors on the internet. Let's face the facts, he isn't being fired. The Bulls just gave him an extension on his contract so cutting him now would only hurt the program as they try to build. Heath has a history of turning bad programs around, he just needs time and support.

The team wasn't prepared for the Irish game and some blame should be pointed at him and his staff, but at the end of the day, it's the players that are the ones that have to look in the mirror and ask themselves what are they doing out there. Heath has his hands tied with facilities at the very moment (but catching up) and is limited in scholarships this off season, but he is trying to do what he can, he just needs some support and help out there. Make sure to give your support to him.

So there is my rant for the day and what is going on with this program. I understand the issues run deeper than just Heath, there is plenty of pain in years past and in the future, but it's time to take a stand. It's time to unite the USF fans and try to support this team for once, show up to the games, and rally behind the program. The area has bad support for this team, but this is where it must start. So, who is with me?