USF MBB Takes on Pitt

Robertson and the Bulls face a huge test on the road. (Picture: AP)

The USF Bulls, now 16-10 (9-4) in the Big East, hit the road as they take on the Pitt Panthers in round two.  Pitt, 15-12 (4-10) lost their last game to WVU, but still has a record of 10-6 at home, posing a real measuring point for the Bulls.

USF won the first game in Tampa 63 to 51, holding Ashton Gibbs to one point (unreal effort by Hugh Robertson to slow him down during the game).  The Bulls were able to dictate the pace of the game, controlling the clock, and taking high percentage shots in the paint.  They will need to do the same in this second game (game starts at 7PM).

Pitt is led by senior guard Ashton Gibbs (6-2 190-pounds).  He is averaging 16.3 points per game (shooting 34% from 3-point range) and pulls down 2.4 rebounds per game.  Hugh Robertson held him check in the last game and will have to do the same in this game.  Junior guard Tray Woodall (5-11 190-pounds) is averaging 12.8 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game.  Senior forward Nasir Robinson (6-5 225-pounds) averages 11.3 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game and will be a player to keep off the boards in this game.

Sophomore guard Lamar Patterson (6-5 221-pounds) is averaging 9.2 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game.  Junior forward Dontae Taylor (6-9 240-pounds) is averaging 6 points per game and 5 rebounds per game.  Sophomore forward Talib Zanna (6-9 230-pounds) is averaging 6.1 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game.  Sophomore forward J.J. Moore (6-6 205-pounds) averaging 5.5 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game as well.

This is a real measuring point for the Bulls as they head down the stretch of the regular season.  They have struggled at times on the road and facing a hostile environment against a team that is angry, the team could be in for a battle.  USF will have to do what it does best, slow the pace, play sound defense, and make their shots.  If the Bulls can handle the environment and control the pace, playing sound defense, they have a great chance in this game.