The run to the tournament was unreal. Last season, this same team won just 10 games (the last one was a miracle layup by Anthony Crater). Optimism among the fans was not at the highest as they began play and a 7-6 mark in non-conference play had some doubting, but the team battled on and began winning games in conference play on a regular basis. They didn't do it in style, their pace even angered some people, but it worked. USF slowed games down, played their way to the greatest defense in Big East History, and made the dance.
This has been a dream year even though it has come to an end. For 20 years, the program and the fans have been waiting and it all came to an end this year. Looking forward, the future is even brighter for the team despite losing great senior leaders. The Bulls will return a strong corps from this year's roster, the incoming recruiting class is one of the most talented in recent history, and the team will have a brand new stadium to call home for the future.
We will take time to review the entire season, review each player and their accomplishments, but not enough thanks can be given to Coach Heath, his staff, the players, and everyone associated with the program. It was a fun year but the best years are still ahead.
I’m so proud of this USF basketball team. They accomplished so much this season and figured out a way to win. They had a really great productive season two years ago, last year was a huge struggle (Two Words: Anthony Crater), but they really turned it around this year. I was a freshman when the USF first moved to the Big East. There are no words to describe how it feels. As an alumni and fan, it feels great to see years of patience, recruiting, and player developments finally pay off especially after the teams I’ve seen on the court in years past. The most impressive thing is that Big East conference coach of the year found out how to utilize what assets he had to create wins. I’ve never felt more pride for the green and gold.
ReplyDeleteI know the south especially the state of Florida is known more for its football than basketball, but as a football fan I’m really disgusted now with the football program. I know the two are two different sports and comparing them is like comparing apples and oranges, but it really is nauseating to read how the football program gets so much money, athletes get brand new Mac laptops rented to them by the school, have all sorts of privileges, and all the accolades and special treatment, but yet have only once had a winning record in conference play let alone finished in the top half of the standing in their conference nor sniffed the football equivalent of the NCAA Tournament, a BCS bowl game.
ReplyDeleteLet’s be honest. If you have ever attended the University of South Florida then you know firsthand know someone or either are one of the troglodytes that contribute to that disease on our campus that is fan disloyalty. Morons everywhere wearing other schools and teams: FSU, UF, Miami, Ohio State? (Don’t know wtf that last one is about). Anyway the point is that there are a bunch of losers here who couldn’t either get in or afford to go to these other schools so they go around self-hating and pretending that if they tell themselves that they wear other schools their t-shirt then they are part of the that team, but they’re not they’re losers. These are the type of trash who say stuff life, “I like this kind of (music, television shows, movies, clothing etc.) before it was cool”. There the equivalent of Lakers fans who weren’t born or ever lived in or near California, Red Sox fans who weren’t ever born or lived near the New England area, Yankees fans that weren’t born or lived in New Jersey/New York. I wish I had taken a picture of this one doofus who was wearing LA Lakers shorts, a UF T-shirt, a NY Yankee cap, and a Pittsburgh Steelers jacket. You’ve got to be $#!4^ kidding me? We’re spending money on so many national crises when we and all other non-big name universities should really be corralling these people who grow up into horrible adults and human beings anyway into large masses off a cliff. Unfortunately the only cure for this is having the sports programs winning, making a name for itself, but even then most of these morons still won’t get it. Which is why I commend the basketball team, unlike the football team, for having the balls to be CONSISTENT and having what it took to win games when it mattered most on national platform with the country watching. That is how you win the hearts of the people and take steps in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThe USF basketball team accomplished more than the football team has with this run without literally a home (playing all games in the St. Pete forum) or any consistent firepower on offense, yet they took the time to master what they were good at instead of trying to be something that they’re not and actually had some success! All the bowl game wins were nice and I can’t fault them for being part of an obviously flawed system, but at least the basketball team was actually in the tournament that decides the national champion. It’s not just the men’s basketball team either. Men’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis have one Big East titles. Women’s basketball has won the NIT and looking to do it again this year. Hell, even the USF sailing team finished ninth at the national championship last year. I’m just saying that I’ve never been so happy to be a basketball school. The key to the big name school’s dominance is having a history of success in either or both the basketball and football programs. They are the most popular sports and they usually open the door for the rest of the programs. The other programs at USF are obviously stepping up while the football team has remained mediocre at best. I’m so proud of the basketball team. I actually have been converted after seeing how strong they were two seasons ago and seeing how they put last year behind them to make a good run in their best season ever. You can have your 5-8, 3-4 football team that starts out great and then craps out loses the rest of the season. Let’s give up for the real heroes and stars of USF the basketball team. What a way to validate the program and making a farce of the undeserving football team. Bravo! Can’t wait for hoops in winter 2012!
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