Know Thy Enemy: Pitt Edition

The USF Bulls, after a rough loss to Georgetown, return home to the Forum to take on the red hot Pitt Panthers.  Pitt has won 4-straight Big East games and is playing some of its best basketball of the season.  The Bulls are facing a huge test in this game and will need to come out strong if they want to keep their hopes for an NIT (or other tournament) alive.  To find out more about the Pitt Panthers, I asked Bryan of the Pitt Script Blog to answer some questions for the Bulls take on the Panthers (make sure to check out the PittScriptBlog for great great content, even though they are leaving for the ACC soon).

Orekhova and Rowe Have to Raise Their Game Down the Stretch for USF

Caitlin Rowe (above) and Inga Orekhova are two key playmakers that have to  raise their game down the stretch for the Bulls.

The USF ladies, now sitting at 12-12, have been close in several games, only to fall down the stretch.  The Bulls, who were hoping to improve off of their 12-19 (3-13) campaign from last season, now must win out in their final games in order to beat last year's win total and try for the postseason.

Two players in particular that must step up are guard Inga Orekhova and center Caitlin Rowe.  Now this is not a knock on either player, both are having strong seasons, but they must come up big down the stretch to help score buckets and take pressure off of Wynne (20 straight double digit scoring effort, she is doing what she can).

USF MBB Must Respond After the Georgetown Beat Down

No one likes to lose a game. No one likes to lose a game by 30-points either, like USF did on Saturday morning, dropping their Big East game against Georgetown 45 to 75. USF scored just 5 points in the first 15 minutes as the Hoyas scored at will and the Bulls struggled to hit the broad side of a barn with their shots. The 30-point loss is the worst against a league opponent since the Bulls joined the Big East in 2005.

Down with JPP Tribute Song

Are You Down with JPP? As the Giants head back to New York to celebrate their great Super Bowl win, USF fans celebrate as two Bulls, Jason Pierre-Paul and Jacquian Williams win Super Bowl rings as well. JPP, the incredible pass rusher that had 16.5 sacks had a huge game for the Giants and Williams, a rising rookie linebacker, had 3 tackles as they helped win Super Bowl XLVI.

So in tribute to JPP and the Giants, this song, a remake of a Naughty by Nature classic, is dedicated to JPP and his incredible season. Once again, congrats to the Giants and the Super Bowl winning Bulls.

Jason Pierre-Paul and Jacquian Williams Win Super Bowl XLVI with New York Giants

USF Alums Big Plays Lift Giants in Super Bowl Victory.

The New York Giants are Super Bowl Champions, 21 to 17, as they hold on to beat the New England Giants. As the Giants celebrate their huge victory, two former USF Bulls celebrate with them. Star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who finished the season with 16.5 sacks, had 2 tackles on the game and deflected two huge passes to help the defense stop Brady and the offense. He was able to get plenty of pressure during the game to help the Giants win. Jacquian Williams, a rookie getting plenty of playing time, finished the night with 3 tackles as well.

JPP and Williams joins former LB Kawika Mitchell (who coincidentally was on the 2008 Super Bowl XLII championship team) as one of USF's representatives in the ring Super Bowl Champions. Once again, congrats to the Giants and special congrats to JPP and Jacquian for their efforts in getting a championship and making more history for the Bulls nation.

2012 USF Softball Season Preview

The 2012 softball season is finally here.  The Bulls finished the 2011 season with an impressive mark of 33-21 (13-5) while going 17-8 at their new stadium.  The Bulls won last year with a very young team that many thought was still a year away from winning.  The young team returns with a lot of experience and several newcomers will help make a large impact as the ladies look to reach the NCAA tournament.

USF WBB Drops Game to Syracuse

The USF ladies, down by 30-points at one point, were able to cut into the large lead, but fall 61 to 76 to the Orange on the road.  USF is now 12-12 (4-6) on the season.  USF shot just 14% from 3-point range as the team struggled to find its range early and often in the game. 

Shalethia Stringfield had 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.  Jasmine Wynne had 10 points (20th straight game in double digits) adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.  Inga Orekhova had just 2 points, was one of 5 shooting from 3, and had 2 blocks.  Caitlin Rowe had 2 points and 2 rebounds.  Andrell Smith had 18 points and 8 rebounds.  Kaneisha Saunders had 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.  Akila McDonald had 6 points and 4 rebounds.  

The Bulls needed this game today.  The loss only sets them back as they try to win a few late games in the season and keep their postseason dreams alive.  They will get another chance to win a big road game as tehy take on St. John's on Wednesday morning at 11:30AM.

USF MBB Drops Worst Game in Conference Play Since Joining Big East

There's not much to really say about this game.  The USF Bulls lost 45 to 75, a 30-point loss, their worst defeat since joining the Big East.  They are now 13-10 (6-4) on the year.  USF scored 5 points in the first 15 minutes of the first half, shooting 31% for the entire game.  They shot 56% from the free throw line, committed 17 turnovers, and only had 7 assists.  This game was just awful from start to finish. 

Augustus Gilchrist had 15 points and 4 rebounds before he fouled out in the second half.  Ron Anderson Jr. had 6 points and 4 rebounds.  Jawanza Poland had 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals in the start.  Anthony Collins had 4 points, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers.  Hugh Robertson had 2 points and 5 rebounds.  Victor Rudd had 8 points and 5 rebounds.  Toarlyn Fitzpatrick had 7 points and 3 rebounds as well. 

The Bulls just need to put this game far, far behind them and get ready for a home game against the surging Pitt Panthers on Wednesday night at 7PM.

USF WBB Hhits the Road to Take on Syracuse

The USF ladies, coming off of a tough 52 to 55 loss to WVU on Wednesday night, will try to notch a big conference win on the road as they travel to take on Syracuse.  The Bulls are trying to stay in the postseason hunt (NIT) but need to win the key games down the stretch to improve on their 12-11 (4-5) record.  Syracuse is 14-9 (3-6) and will be looking to defend home court and notch a strong conference win at the Bulls expense (game starts at 1PM).

Know Thy Enemy: Georgetown

The USF Bulls are traveling to Washington, D.C. in hopes of winning their 7th Big East conference game of the season, but the Hoyas of Georgetown stand in their way.  The Bulls are hoping they can relive the magic of the 2009-2010 season when they upset Georgetown, but the Hoyas are ready for them.  To get a better idea of what USF will be facing in this game, I asked my friend Stephanie from the Volvo Biggest Fan Challenge for her insight on this game and what USF should expect to see (make sure to check out her site HERE).