Crater Hurting the Offense

The 2010-2011 men's basketball team is simply awful. The team is a former shell of what it was last season (no more Jones). One of the biggest issues for the Bulls all season long is the awful play on offense. Last season, the Bulls could hand the ball over to Dominique Jones and expect instant offense. But a key player that played in the backcourt with him was the point guard, Chris Howard. Howard was able to run the offense effectively and even helped in scoring. This season, however, the point guard position has been a position of constant headaches, I'm talking about Anthony Crater of course.[keep reading]

Quick and Way Too Early Season Picks

Time to look into the crystal ball and make some very early predictions on the upcoming football schedule.

The 2011 schedule has been announced and already people are speculating well before the Spring practices and final rosters are put together on how the team will fair. Many are thinking this will be the season the Bulls finally break through and win the Big East conference, while some are worried about the tough stretch of games to end the season and wonder if the team can finally put it all together and win.

It is really way to really to make any solid projections on the season and make any educated predictions on each game, but with 190 days to go, why not. Time to break down each game in a brief preview and make an early Spring projection on how the team will do this season.

Now I will have a more accurate prediction after the Spring game and well before the season begins. With unfinished rosters and questions around a lot can happen, but why not have some fun and look into the crystal ball. [keep reading]

Bulls Collapse in the Second Half, Fall Big to Pitt

Senior Jarrid Famous had a solid first half against Pitt, but he, like the rest of the team, went cold in the second half.

Last night, the Bulls had the first half lead over #4 Pitt on senior night. The crowd was rocking and the team was making shots and locking down on defense. But in the second half, the Panthers came alive and shut the Bulls down, 66 to 50. The Bulls loss puts them at 9-21 (3-14) and wondering when this nightmare of a season will end.

The first half, the Bulls led by 3 points. Jarrid Famous, the only senior graduating that night from the team, had a double-double and was a presence inside the paint. But the second half, the Bulls fell apart as they usually do, went cold from the field, and simply were run out of the Sun Dome. The Bulls finished the night shooting 36% from the field and only 1-9 from three point range.

Jarrid Famous had 15 points and 12 rebounds in his final game as a Bull in the Sun Dome. He had an early double-double, but was ice cold in the second half. Gilchrist had 15 points, but couldn't hit anything in the second half and was dominated in the paint by Pitt. No one else really showed up in this terrible offensive performance. Noriega and Anderson each had 5 points. Crater had 4 assists, 2 turnovers, and amazingly 4 points (yes, he shot the ball). I will have more on the struggles of the offense and Crater later on.

The Bulls are simply awful this season. At 9-21 they are just above the basement in the conference (reserved for DePaul) and probably won't win again this year. They are facing #15 St. John's on Saturday at 8 PM and are 1-11 on the road this season (thank you again DePaul).

Spring Practice Schedule

It's hard to believe but Spring football practices are finally here! While the basketball season comes to an end (painfully so) it's time to talk football even more than ever. The Bulls, in year two of Coach Holtz, will begin Spring practices tomorrow (1st Big East team to begin practices) and will look to make even greater strides this season.

Here is the schedule of practices for the Bulls (from Greg Auman):

"The Bulls have five practices -- three in pads -- before USF goes on spring break for a week. So the Bulls won't practice from April 9 until April 21, with 10 more workouts that lead up to the spring game at Raymond James Stadium on April 2, as well as a new feature, the "Green and Gold Bowl," an open scrimmage on April 9 to close out spring drills."

You Can Read His Spring Primer Here!

The Bulls have a lot of new faces and a lot of questions on their hands, but they can begin to answer those tomorrow when they hit the new practice fields and begin the quest for the Big East title.

Way Too Early Look Ahead - Running Back

Darrell Scott is ready to run all over the Big East (Picture:www.usfnation.com)

Time to look at the running backs in the way to early look ahead series. Running backs finally got more carries in 2010 under Holtz as he changed the offense and gave the rushing load to the backs, not the quarterback. Mo Plancher is gone (after what seems like 20 years) and now the Bulls will look to sort out who will be the go-to runner and get the majority of the carries. Here are the 2011 running backs. [keep reading]

Jarrid Famous's Last Home Game

Jarrid Famous will be playing his last home game tonight as a USF Bulls (Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

It's senior night for the Bulls and only one senior will be leaving the program after this season (someone else could leave, but right now, it appears everyone is returning). Forward/Center Jarrid Famous will be suiting up for the last time at home tonight and will be leaving behind great memories in just his two short seasons with USF.[keep reading]

Bulls Beat Miami

The USF baseball season has gotten of to a rough start, losing 3 games to Florida and then losing 2 of 3 games in the home opening series against Elon, but yesterday, the Bulls put that behind them with a win over Miami, 4 to 2. The game was part of a 2 game event (The Florida 4) held at Steinbrenner field (FSU and UF squared off in the second game).

Matt Reed pitched 7 strong innings for the Bulls, giving up only 4 hits and 1 run, letting his defense back him up. The Bulls' bullpen was depleted after the 16 inning game on Sunday, so Coach Prado needed Reed to pitch deep into the game and he came through. Quackenbush pitched a solid 9th inning to close out the game and give the Bulls their second win of the season (2-5)

Andrew Longley was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs on the afternoon. Sam Mende was also 2 for 4. Todd Brazeal and James Ramsay each had an RBI as the Bulls got their first win over Miami since 2004.

Now at 2-5, the Bulls return home this weekend to host a series against Florida A&M. THe first game is Friday at 7 PM, so make sure to get out to the new stadium and cheer on the Bulls.

Scouting Pitt - Senior Night

Coach Jamie Dixon wants to spoil Senior Night for the Bulls, can USF stop him?

Here we go USF fans, the final home game for the men's 2010-2011 basketball season. It has been an ugly year, but the team showed some life in the win over DePaul, as they avoided the basement of the conference again. The Bulls reward for beating DePaul, a match up with #6 Pittsburgh. The Panthers are coming off of an overtime loss to Louisville and are now 25-4 (13-3) on the season (still looking for a number one seed if possible).

The first time the Bulls played Pitt on the road, the team came out in the first half and battled hard, falling in the second half 67 to 55. Guard Brad Wanamaker was not available for Pitt at the time, but is healthy and ready to cause USF more headaches in this match up.

Pitt is one of the best teams not only in the country, but in the nation. They average 75.4 points per game (39th in the nation) while USF struggles to average 62.3 per game (308th - wow). Pitt pulls down 40.6 rebounds per game (7th) while USF gets 36.6 per game (92nd - we keep sliding in the ranks). Pitt moves their offense with 18 assists per game (3rd) while USF averages 12.6 (273rd - explains the bad offense). Pitt also makes their shots, shooting .475 from the field (21st) while USF can't hit the broad side of a barn, shooting .419 (273rd). [keep reading]

McClain's Combine Day

Defensive tackle Terrell McClain had a solid day at the NFL combine (Picture: www.tbo.com)

Only one USF Bull was invited to the NFL Combine this week, defensive tackle Terrell McClain. McClain, like every other college player, got to display his talents in front of all of the NFL scouts and hopefully raised his draft stock in the process.

McClain, weighing in at 6'2" 297-pounds, is doing everything he can to impress the NFL scouts. He ran at solid 5.0 in the 40-yard dash (according to nfldraftscout.com) which is a great number for someone his size. McClain has always had a great motor, never giving up on a play, and sometimes chasing a ball carrier down the field.

On the bench press, McClain had a solid performance with 29 reps at 225-pounds. This shows how strong he is and how dominate he can be at the point of attack.

McClain is still a very raw talent at the defensive tackle position. He does not use his hands that well and often get his pad level too high and can be pushed off the line, this is why he is not a very high draft pick. He could play the 3-position on the line or the 2-position, depending on which team and system drafts him. But what he does have is loads of talent and potential. He never gives up on a player, always works hard, and will be a steal of a draft pick in the Draft.

Hopefully McClain will hear his named called early on the second day of the Draft and will continue the ongoing success of USF players in the NFL.

Ladies Upset Georgetown on Senior Night

The USF ladies won a major upset last night as they took down #19 Georgetown on Senior Night (Picture:www.gousfbulls.com)

The 2010-2011 regular season came to an end last night as the Bulls got a huge upset win at home over #19 Georgetown, 60 to 55. The Bulls, 12-18 (3-13) have rallied in the last two games to get key wins to help build momentum heading into the Big East tournament.

Without Porsche Grant, Leondra Doomes-Stephens had a break out game. Scored a career high 25 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. She dominated the paint and helped the Bulls get the upset victory. Fellow senior Porsche Grant did not play because of a suspension, but is eligible again for the Big East tournament. Andrea Smith also had 24 points as she continues her incredible season shooting.

The Bulls are now in 13th place in the Big East and will face the 12 seed, Pittsburgh, on Friday at noon. The Bulls lost a tough 70 to 66 game just a few weeks ago (Pitt lost their final game to Villanova). With Grant returning for this upcoming game, the ladies have a little momentum heading into the tournament. Let's hope they can keep the season going up in New York. Congrats ladies on the impressive win, a great season, and to the seniors that battled all year long.