Poland Provides Spark in Big Win for USF

The Bulls are 9-7 now on the season after they came from behind to beat Villanova on the road, improving to 2-1 in conference play.  While the team has played well as a collective unit, certain players have raised their game to the next level in certain situations, such as Anthony Collins and his effort against Rutgers.  One player, who has played just 6 games this season, continues to rise to the occasion, junior guard Jawanza Poland.

The 6-4 200-pound guard out of Wichita, Kansas made a splash last year for the Bulls, throwing down highlight dunks and providing a spark for the team and the fans.  He averaged 9.1 points per game and brought intensity each time he stepped on the court.

At the start of this season, Poland was forced to watch from the sidelines as he recovered from a back injury and a 2-game suspension.  In the 6 games he has played in this season (started one game) he is averaging 11 points per game and 3 rebounds per game while shooting 45% from the floor and 86% from the free throw line.

Last night, Poland came off the bench and put the team on his shoulders.  With star freshman guard Anthony Collins on the bench with concussion-like symptoms, the team needed a spark and Poland answered.  He scored 20 points to lead the Bulls, draining 3's and making clutch shots when the team needed it most.

While the 2-1 mark doesn't seem like a big deal, it is.  For a team that has won just 7 road Big East games in the 7 years since joining the conference, it is a big deal and it was thanks to the performance of Poland that the Bulls were able to get the huge win. The Bulls face a rough road ahead, but if they continue to get performances such as the one turned in by Poland, they could get a few more road victories.