Reviewing the 2011-2012 USF MBB Roster

The 2011-2012 season is over, so it's time to take a look at the roster and what each player has done this season.  It was a historic year and the team reached all new levels of success, but it took the individual players coming together to make it all happens.  Let's take a final look at the numbers for each player and recap their season and what they did to help the team reach their first NCAA tournament berth in 20 years.

Ron Anderson Jr. - 6-8 237-pounds - Senior - Forward - Upper Malboro, MD

Anderson did more for the team than the numbers will ever show.  He finished the year playing in 36 games, averaging 6.9 points per game (scored 247 total points), 5.5 rebounds per game (197 total rebounds), 1.1 assists per game, .6 blocks per game and shot 55% from the field.  While the numbers are solid, his effort on defense, his voice in the huddle, on the court and lockerroom, and his overall effort were huge for the Bulls this season.  He brought a tough mentality to the defense, never giving up in the paint, battling bigger centers, and leading the team with his effort and work effort.  The Bulls will miss him next year and we as fans, will always be in debt to everything Ron did to elevate this team and program to new heights. 

Anthony Collins - 6-1 180-pounds - Freshman - Guard - Houston, Texas

Anthony Collins became the big time leader for the Bulls in his first season at the point.  AC missed the first 6 games of the season as he recovered from an early hamstring injury.  Once he hit the floor, he played in 31 games for the Bulls, averaging 9 points per game (279 total points) while pulling down 2 rebounds per game, averaged 5.2 assists per game (161 assists), and had 3.4 turnover per game (105 total turnovers).  He also had 1.6 steals per game (51 total), 8 blocks, shot 50% from the floor and shot 85% from the free throw line.  Collins took the team on his back and emerged as a growing star.  It is not often a freshman guard can take a team through the Big East and then to the big dance, but he did it.  His offensive game matured during the year and we are only beginning to see how good he can be.

Alberto Damour - 6-5 216-pounds - Senior - Forward - Poinciana, Florida

Damour, one of just 4 seniors on the roster, played in just 7 games (former walk-on).  He had 7 total points and 3 rebounds during the season, only seeing spot action in the early part of the year, but provided leadership on the bench and will be missed for his vocal leadership he provided.  Thank you Damour for your service to USF.

Toarlyn Fitzpatrick - 6-8 243-pounds - Junior - Forward - Tampa, Florida (King High School)

Fitzpatrick elevated his game this season, providing a huge offensive burst of the bench.  He averaged 8 points per game (279 points total) while pulling down 6.4 rebounds per game (225 total rebounds), .9 assists per game and blocked at least one shot per game.  He had 25 steals, 35 blocks, while shooting 44% from the floor and shot 41% from 3-point range, raising his game and making huge shots as the Bulls had a huge season, one for the record books.  Fitzpatrick continues to raise his level of play and will become even bigger next season for the Bulls.

Augustus Gilchrist - 6-10 235-pounds - Senior - Forward - Clinton, Maryland

Gilchrist, after flirting with the NBA last year, returned for his senior season and led the Bulls in scoring as the broke the 1000 point mark for his career.  He played in 33 games, missing two games with a shoulder injury, but he returned strong for the Bulls, averaging 9.5 points per game (312 total points), pulling down 5 rebounds per game (165 total), had 39 blocks on the season and shot 39% from the floor.  He struggled at times to find his mid-range game, but never quit on a play, always battling in the paint and was consistent no matter who the foe was.  The Bulls will miss his scoring presence and the leadership he brought to the court.  We wish Gilchrist the best as he attempts to head to the NBA.

Mike McCloskey - 5-11 170-pounds - Junior - Guard - Orlando, Florida

The walk-on only appeared in a total of 4 games for USF, scoring 2 points and had one steal to end the year.

Blake Nash - 6-0 190-pound - Sophomore - Guard - Casa Grande, Arizona (Williston State)

The JUCO guard provided depth behind Collins at the guard position.  Nash is a pure 2-guard that came into the point guard position behind Collins, providing minutes off the bench and adding some scoring as well.  He averaged 3.4 points per game (116 total points), 1 assists per game (39 assists), had .8 rebounds per game (28 total rebounds), pulling down 18 steals and shot 38% from the floor. Nash played out of position most of the year, playing the reserve point guard spot after Dority transferred out of the program.  Nash is a deadly shooter and now that he has a full season under his belt and healthy (dealt with ankle injuries during the year) he should be ready for a big season in 2012-2013.

Shaun Noriega - 6-4 197-pounds - Junior - Guard - Sarasota, Florida

Noriega played limited minutes this season.  The sharp shooting guard appeared in 28 games, averaging 3.6 points per game, pulling down .5 rebounds per game, .3 assists per game, had 4 steals and shot 36% from the 3-point, continuing to be the shooting specialist for Heath during the season.  While his minutes were limited during the year, he showed his skill shooting the 3 and will be a key player next year as the Bulls try to go even further in the tournament and the Big East.

Jawanza Poland - 6-4 200-pounds - Junior - guard - Wichita, Kansas

JAWANZA "Air" Poland played in 25 games for the Bulls, missing the first 9 games due to a lower back injury and a 2-game suspension to start the season.  Once he returned, he got the fans on their feet as he continued to live up to his nickname, flying through the air and throwing down dunks all season.  He finished the year averaging 8 points per game (199 total points), 3.2 rebounds per game (80 total), and finished the year with 21 steals.   Poland increased his shooting percentage this year from behind the arc, adding another weapon to his arsenal and getting better all around in his game.  He could be a starter next season and will provide offensive firepower as the Bulls look to build off their 2011-2012 success.

Hugh Robertson - 6-6 200-pounds - Senior - Guard - Macon, Georgia

Robertson silently lead the USF defense and was arguably the best on ball defender on the USF roster.  Coach Heath would not hesitate to put Hugh on the elite players in the Big East such as Maalik Wayns and Ashton Gibbs and Robertson would lock those players down, helping lead the best defense in league history.  Hugh averaged 6.5 points per game (233 total points), 4.3 rebounds per game (155 total), averaged 1.3 assists per game, had 25 steals and added 14 blocks. Hugh was a quiet leader, but his actions made a lot of noise.  The Bulls will miss his incredible defense next year.

Victor Rudd Jr. - 6-7 221-pounds - Sophomore - Forward - Los Angeles, California (Arizona State)

Rudd emerged on the scene as a dynamic scorer after sitting out last season when he transferred from Arizona State.  Rudd showcased his ability, both finishing at the rim and shooting from 3-point range.  Rudd finished the year averaging 9.3 points per game (333 total points), 4.8 rebounds per game (174 total), 1.3 assists per game (46 total), had 24 steals, and shot 31% from 3-point range (44 out of 144 on the year).  Rudd has stated he is testing the NBA waters, but has not hired an agent and continues to attend classes, leaving the door open for him to return to the team for next season. If Rudd does return, he has the chance to become the go-to scorer for the Bulls during the season and could improve his all around numbers, turning him into one of the best in the Big East.