Scouting Pitt

Jamie Dixon has his team on top in the Big East, do the Bulls have any chance here (Picture credits: ESPN.com)

The Bulls are on the road again as they face #4 Pittsburgh (23-2 (11-1)). Pittsburgh is a solid team that just beat Villanova and is in the driver's seat for the regular season Big East title. The Bulls were just awful against Notre Dame and are hoping to show a little more life in this contest.

Pittsburgh is one of the best teams in the county and the numbers reflect that. They average 76 points per game (33rd in the nation), 41.4 rebound per game (5th in the nation), 18 assists per game (5th in the nation), and shoot .473 from the field (30th in the nation. The Bulls on the other hand, are struggling in every possible way. USF enters the game averaging 62 points per game (309th - yikes), 37.6 rebounds per game (58th - only bright spot), 12.5 assists per game (206th - look at Crater), and shoot .413 from the floor (287th - couldn't shoot the broad size of a barn).

Here are the players we will have to watch out for. [keep reading]

Bulls Move Date for Miami Game

From Greg Auman - The Bulls made a slight adjustment to their schedule yesterday as they moved the Miami game, originally scheduled for November 26th to November 19th (the weekend before Thanksgiving).

This change was made at the request of the Big East due to scheduling conflicts. This change most likely happened due to matchups with West Virginia and Louisville and who the Bulls will host the weekend of the 26th.

The official USF schedule should be released sometime in the very near future, but here is the unofficial schedule.

2011 USF SCHEDULE

Non-conference games

Sept. 3 at Notre Dame

Sept. 10 vs. Ball State

Sept. 17 vs. Florida A&M

Sept. 24 vs. UTEP

Nov. 19 vs. Miami

Big East Conference games (dates TBA)

vs. Louisville

vs. Cincinnati

vs. West Virginia

at Connecticut

at Rutgers

at Syracuse

at Pittsburgh

Time to Rally

Stan Heath needs some support from the fans (Picture credits: TBO.com)

After watching the Bulls fall face first in the beat down by Notre Dame, I looked around the Sun Dome to see a sea of blue and green, the Irish were everywhere. The game totaled over 6000 people in attendance and I would guess that around 4500 or more were Irish fans (by the sound of the crowd around the dome, this may be true). While everyone is calling for Heath's head, there are a few things that should be pointed out about why the men's basketball program is in such bad shape.[keep reading]

Someone Needs a Hug Today

Everyone deserves some love on Valentine's Day, even Delbert Alvarado.

Valentine's Day is all about love and loving each other, everyone deserves it. Over the years, USF has had some individuals that need some love and have become part of infamous history for the Bulls. Here are three individuals that could use some love today.[keep reading]

Dixon Rising

Ricardo Dixon is emerging in the USF secondary (Picture: USFnation.com)

In the Bulls bowl victory over Clemson, the USF secondary stepped its game up, shutting down the aerial attack of the Tigers. One player in particular that stepped up his play during the game was cornerback Ricardo Dixon. Dixon, a redshirt freshman, helped lock down the edge and came up in the box to make key tackles at the Bulls secured the first (of many) bowl victory for Coach Holtz. Entering the 2011-2012 season, Dixon is looking to make an even bigger impact.[keep reading]

Which Bull Do You Have Love For?

Bull fans fell in love with Matt Grothe, which player are you in love with?

It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air. As a USF fan, there are hundreds of student-athletes, coaches, assistants and others that we all love. Over the years, USF fans have fallen in love with certain players that helped bring their respective programs to greatness. Here are 3 players that all USF fans love!

Ladies Fall to Pittsburgh

The tough basketball weekend ended in Pittsburgh as the USF ladies now 10-15 (1-10) fell to the Panthers 66 to 70 after battling hard for 40 minutes (more than the men's team did). The Bulls came back from a big lead at halftime, but were just not able to get enough stops on defense to get the win on the road as they continue to slide in the conference standings.

Andrell Smith led the way with a career 15 points while twin sister Andrea Smith only had 10 points, a quiet night shooting for her. Akila McDonald had 11 points and Leonda Doomes-Stephens had 11 points as well as the Bulls had a better shooting night, but struggled to stop the Panthers on defense.

The ladies are now back at home on Wednesday night at 7PM to take on the St. John's Red Storm as they try to get another conference win and finish the season on a positive note. Tough loss, but the team showed fight and has not given up focus unlike another team around the area.

Bulls Get Hammered by the Irish

This game was simply ugly from the opening tip. The Bulls went down to the Irish 78 to 55 and were down by 30 points late in the second half. The Bulls are now 8-18 (2-11) and are going to be facing several ranked teams as the season comes to an end. This year has just been terrible and the pain continued to Saturday.

The Bulls were led by Shaun Noriega off the bench, the only player to actually show up yesterday. He had a team and career high 23 points as he found his long range shot early and often, showing why he needs to get more playing time down the stretch. Poland had 3 points and was never a factor. Robertson had 5 points and Gilchrist had 3 points as his awful shooting streak continues. Crater had 2 turnovers, 0 assists, and 0 points and his terrible play continues. He missed open looks, had shots chances but threw the ball away and simply could not read the Notre Dame defense. Famous had 7 points but was horrible shooting and was pulled several times due to poor play.

The crowd of 6000 was largely Irish fans as the bad play and continued lack of support follow this team. The Bulls will try to recover and not get crushed when they take on Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

McClain Headed to the NFL Combine

Sorry everyone for the lack of analysis material on the two loses USF suffered yesterday on the hardwood, I promise to have some final thoughts on both games later today, been really busy preparing for Valentine's day, yes, I am a sucker for the holiday. Here is a small article to get your Sunday morning started out right.

There aren't many Bulls headed to the NFL after the 2010-2011 season (Marshall, Williams, Raymond, Bogan, just to name a few). But only one player has been invited to the NFL Combine. The combine is a place where prospective players run through a series of physical tests that help NFL teams evaluate where the player should be drafted. Defensive tackle Terrell McClain "Dancing Bear" is headed to prove he should a first day selection.

The 6'3" 310-pound defensive tackle was a monster on the line this season and throughout his career for the Bulls. McClain has an explosive burst off the line. He uses his hands well and is able to get great leverage on opposing offensive lineman and drive them back off their blocks. He is solid against the run and wraps up the ball carrier well. He also has above average speed for a player his size and can chase down a quarterback, something rare from a defensive tackle, especially with his size.

Many draft experts have McClain going either in the 2nd round or maybe even late in the 1st round. McClain is a solid defensive tackle that should be able to anchor any defensive line for years to come. USF continues to produce top defensive line prospects, including George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul. Best of luck to the Dancing Bear, hope he is able to put on a show and find his way in the top picks in the NFL draft.

Baseball Season is Here!

Pitcher Randy Fontanez and company are looking to make 2011 a huge season for the Bulls.

Hello USF baseball fans! The season is only 7 days away as the Bulls begin the 2011 campaign against #1 Florida in the nasty swamp.

The Bulls have been picked to finish 4th in the Big East, but they are looking for more as they begin a new chapter in program history as they open their new home this season, replacing historic Red Mcewen Field. The new facility will be one of the best in nation, with new seating, new facilities, and everything else a major powerhouse needs to contend in the NCAA. Ace pitcher Randy Fontanez and crew are looking to make the 2011 season a memorable one.

Here at the Bull Rush, I will be doing my best to cover the baseball season for you. Bringing you updates on the team after games, analyzing the results, and taking a closer look at the players as the season continues on. I will be honest, I have never been a real dedicated fan to the baseball program, not like I am for the football program. Please make sure to take a look above on the pages section, the 2011 baseball schedule has been added so you can keep up with where the Bulls are playing, no matter where you may be. I have been to plenty of games, but I am bleeding more green and gold these days, so I will my best to bring you coverage of the team as the battle all season long.