Where USF MBB Stands as They Enter Big East Play

Freshman guard Anthony Collins has helped lead the Bulls to a 7-6 as they enter conference play (Picture: www.foxsportsohio.com)

The Bulls are 7-6 on the season as they wrap up the non-conference section of their schedule and prepare for the brutal Big East portion with defending national champions UCONN coming to town next Wednesday (aren't we lucky?) The Bulls dropped a tough game last night where they had a chance in the closing seconds to get the win but came up short. Bad shooting and bad defense hurt the Bulls in the end of the game, but the team still has a winning record despite the off night for most of the offense.

So what can we make of this team so far after just 13 games? USF was just 6-7 at this point last year, so there is a little bit of improvement for Heath and company. The Bulls are winless on the road, 0-4, and have been hot and cold on offense throughout the early part of the season though. They are averaging just 61.2 points per game, not the offensive explosion Heath was hoping for. His team averaged just 61.9 points a game last year, so the increase in offense hasn't come yet despite playing some soft opponents to start the season. The Bulls are averaging 13 turnovers a game and 11.6 assists a game, so the ball control for the most part has been sloppy. Anthony Collins is doing a solid job in his freshman campaign at the point guard position, but the others have to take care of the ball better.

The Bulls are shooting 32% from 3-point range, struggling to find their range. Last night, USF was just 1 of 15 shooting, so the long ball is not a strong point of their offense. Shaun Noriega is just 14 of 39 shooting so far from beyond the arc so far (suppose to be one of the best shooters on the team). The Bulls are also shooting 67% from the free throw line, leaving points on the court. The bad shooting from the perimeter and the inability to convert free throws are holding down the USF offense.

Gilchrist has been solid for USF so far, averaging 11.1 points per game, but at times he settles for too many jump shots instead of using his 6-10 frame to body up in the paint and get easier baskets. Victor Rudd has been very inconsistent despite the hype and praise by Heath for him to start the season. Rudd had 30 points against Marist, 16 vs. ODU, and 11 vs. FAU, but the last 3 games, he has scored just 2 points against Cleveland State, 0 points vs. Auburn, and managed just 4 points last night in the loss to Southern Miss. Rudd seems to disappear during stretches of play and seems to settle for shots (just in my opinion) when he could attack the rim with his skill. He has to become more aggressive on offense, especially in conference play, if the Bulls want to improve in the standings. Anthony Collins had played well and is giving the Bulls some offense from the point guard position. Anthony Crater scored a grand total of just 118 last year throughout the entire season (unreal). So far, Collins has 58 points after 13 games, well ahead of Crater's mark (doesn't take much).

So there you have it, the Bulls are winning, but it hasn't been consistent and plain bad at times (take Auburn game for example). The Bulls have the talent, but they will have to get it together starting next Wednesday with UCONN coming to town and the Big East schedule beginning.