Big crowd, big miss: Bulls fall to W. Va.

Here's the game story from Monday's paper. I'll be back with notes later tonight ...

TAMPA – The opponent changed, the venue too, but the same frustrating problems kept USF from knocking off West Virginia on Sunday afternoon: the absolute lack of a power forward to complement center Kentrell Gransberry inside, and Gransberry’s inability to hit free throws in an otherwise impressive showing.

Gransberry went 2-for-11 at the line and USF got zero points from its power forwards, giving up a late 15-2 run as West Virginia pulled away for a 69-52 win at the St. Pete Times Forum.

"Offensively, to hit 26 percent from the free-throw line and 20 percent from 3, that’s a recipe that’s going to hurt you in the long run," said coach Stan Heath, whose team has dropped five in a row since beating Rutgers in the conference opener. "Grans, I thought, was a strong force for us … but right now, mentally, the free throw thing is in his ear, in his head. We just have to help him get through that part and work with him."

The game had an announced crowd of 12,062 – based on tickets distributed – which technically breaks the single-game record for a USF home game, set when 10,444 fans filled the Sun Dome to see USF play Florida in December 2001. The actual crowd looked to be several thousand less than the announced total, which included a large amount of free tickets. Times Forum officials could not provide an actual attendance.

Gransberry had a solid game from the field, hitting 10 of 13 shots for a game-high 22 points. He scored USF’s first 13 points of the second half, including a fast-break catch and layup that put the Bulls ahead 38-33 with 14 minutes remaining.

Even as the Bulls struggled, missing outside shots and not getting the ball to Gransberry, USF trailed 44-43 with 7:11 to play before West Virginia went on a 15-2 run to put the game away. The Bulls went 2-for-6 at the line during that stretch, including Gransberry missing two front ends that Heath called "momentum busters."

"I'm very disappointed in my performance tonight, and I take full accountability for it," said Gransberry, now shooting 53 percent at the line.

West Virginia couldn't miss at the line, hitting 22 of 26 attempts. Junior Alex Ruoff, a Central grad, went 6-for-6 on the way to 14 points, while Da'Sean Butler and Darris Nichols led the Mountaineers with 15 each. USF didn't trail by more than five points until the final fix minutes.

Six games into Big East play, 12 of the league’s 16 teams have at least three conference wins, but USF is 1-5, sitting 15th in the league standings, its only win against last-place Rutgers.

West Virginia (14-4, 3-2) used a modified triangle-and-two defense to contain USF’s top two scorers, with two defenders chasing those two while the other three played a zone. That limited Gransberry to three points in the final 13 minutes, and made freshman guard Dominique Jones, who had 11 in the first half, disappear in a scoreless second half in which he attempted only two shots.

At power forward, Heath started sophomore Amu Saaka, who has struggled since breaking his nose in the Rutgers win and went scoreless in 19 minutes. Walk-on Mo Esseghir played 19, too, but didn’t attempt a shot and finished with two rebounds.

"We’re searching for one more guy," Heath said. "We’ve got four guys out there doing some things, but we need one more guy to step up for us, and we need our bench to give us a little more. That’s the key for us in terms of turning this thing around this season."

As bad as Heath needed a power forward Sunday, he did not once turn to freshman Orane Chin, who averaged 23 minutes and 5.0 points in USF’s first four Big East games but didn’t play Sunday after logging three minutes Wednesday at Seton Hall.

"I wanted to get his attention," Heath said. "Nothing serious, nothing earthshattering, but I just didn’t feel like he’d made the commitment in the last two days to play today."

Comments

[steve oneal]

You're right DELdaBULL, it pisses me off too! The USF fans should get best seats at HOME GAMES!

[steve oneal]

Ari, the next time at sundome check out the first few rows on the second level behind visiting bench. That is sold to visiting teams fans as well as the 4 rows right behind their bench. Both areas require USF fans to be donors to purchase seats. visiting team fans should not be able to sit in areas that USF fans have to make an annual donation on top of ticket prices to sit in. Let them sit in the non donor levels or make the annual donation and buy the seat for the season like USF fans have to.

[DELdaBULL]

GA,

Where is the outrage over WVU fans getting the courtside seats (other than from me)?

[steve oneal]

I've seen plenty of USF road games on tv and rarely, if ever are there any USF people sitting directly behind the USF bench. The area behind the visiting bench at the sundome is a donor area and I would rather see USF fans there than other team's people. BTW I just renewed my 8 50 yd line BANDWAGON football seats for next season. I've been on the wagon now for about 8 yrs. Actually I'm adding 8 more seats this year. You were the one that bailed on the football team and you're just about there with the BB team. You're the funniest thing on here since Cee! USF USF GOOO BULLS!!

[Ken]

Jones looks pretty good, but we've seen players here who can take over games, and he's not (yet) one of them. We don't have one. Someday maybe.

Interesting perspectives on arenas--I prefer the Sun Dome--easier to get to, parking is easier (mind you, not that I really like the Sun Dome).

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Is this Brumbaugh kid going to come to USF or what??

Guy is average 41 pts a game for god sakes.

Get the kid a Range Rover and a tutor for the love of god... just sign him!

Word around the street is that he had a semi-automatic rifle with 50+ rounds of amo in the car.

Sounds just like the Kenny Saterfield type of recruit we need to get this program turned around. Get the kid a scholarship would ya.

===
Keith Brumbaugh Timeline:

FEB. 18, 2005: Plays in his final high school game for DeLand.
APRIL 8, 2005: Receives the Dairy Farmers Mr. Basketball award.
APRIL 16, 2005: Plays in the Michael Jordan Classic in Madison Square Garden, New York.
MAY 12, 2005: Announces he'll enter NBA Draft.
June 20, 2005: Withdraws name from consideration for NBA Draft.
JULY 20, 2005: Announces he will play at Oklahoma State.
Aug. 20, 2005: Charged with shoplifting at a Stillwater, Okla., Wal-Mart.
NOVEMBER 2005: NCAA requires Brumbaugh to retake the ACT; he does not get a high enough score to be eligible.
DECEMBER 2005: Withdraws from Oklahoma State without ever stepping on the court.
MAY 20, 2006: Is charged by Volusia County Sheriffs Office with fleeing and eluding officers and resisting arrest without violence.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

The sun dome is the exact same building as the O'Connel center in
g-ville.

The is place is kind of a dump, but people don't go to the game because of the arena, they don't go to the game because we suck.

if we were 15-4, nobody would even be talking about the sun dome.

winning solves everything

[Ari Hinkelberger]

The other teams do reserve seats for USF.. And just like USF, they don't resever tickets for the opposing teams fans.

Those seats are for family and friends.

IF you are a season ticket holder you can simply call the basketball office and ask them if they have any remaining tickets available for such and such game.

Tommy, the Manager/assitant coach is the nicest guy around. He got me tickets to the wake forest game (which i couldn't make) and I am going to hit him up for tickets to the g-town game if the players haven't claimed them all.

You're a bandwagon fan anyways...

[steve oneal]

I used to be a season ticket holder at the sun dome. My seats were the first row right behind the visiting bench. I have to donate a minimum of $2000.00/yr just to be able to buy seats in lower bowl. The seats are about twice the price of second level seats. A few years back they moved us USF fans from those first 4 rows and now they go to visiting teams fans. The other BE teams don't reserve seats for our traveling fans, I don't see why we do. I quit buying my season tickets after that.

[DELdaBULL]

Greg,

Why did the WVU fans get the courtside seats?

[Jeff]

As a former USF Basketball season ticket (four years and counting for football) holder (X2) we enjoyed the game at the Forum venue. The sight lines were great. The food and beverages were great. We got tired driving from South St. Pete to USF and didn't like the arena either. We'll return if they play any more games there. Heck we'd renew our season tickets too!

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Jones can't create a shot off the dribble.

We don't have anyone that can create a shot off the dribble.

Watch the Cuse - Georgetown game and you will se 3 or 4 guards that can penetrate and create.

we don't have one guard that can do that.

Jones is more of a big sized - strong guard then a slasher.

we need a slasher

[Adam]

I thought Grans had a good game, maybe he could have gotten the ball more, but you guys are talking matchups. He had a great match up. Jones was shut down. What happens when Jones is shut down and KG doesn't have a great match up?

That was my point about the rest of the team. You have to have a couple more guys that can make the other teams pay for putting their best defender on Jones, and a big man on KG.

On a different note, but a potential band-aid... Jones needs to be more agressive. I know he is a frosh, but he is the play maker. He could take over a game if he is on, that would help us out a lot as well. It would free up Grans a bit, and get the other guys some more open looks.

[DELdaBULL]

I was in section 118 yelling - "Pass him the ball!"
Dude was seriously 6'2.25" Yet Kentrell never got a pass thrown his way. What's up with that?

[Ari Hinkelberger]

The mentioned on the broadcast that Mac could be the only guy to ever coach at USF and USF..

interesting.

I miss Mac. He was a lot of fun to complain about.

[LA Clippers]

Dear South Florida Basketball,

Thanks.

Sincerely,

The LA Clippers

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Coming in behind USF in the rankings is the US economy.

Wow.. its going to get real awful.

[G.A.]

I have nothing to do with Typepad, but I'll apologize if comments are getting unrightfully flagged. Typepad sends back some of my comments, and it's my blog ...

[Reality]

I know what it takes to be a good team, but I also know that if you have KG, he needs to touch the ball every trip down. He was unstoppable yesterday, when he got a touch. As I tried to write in one of my posts that got "typepadded" (yes, I am the king of new verbs.)

He was being fronted by a 6 ft kid, and USF has no one that can throw an entry pass.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

The same terrible refs that called our game are calling the Cuse-G.town game tonight and the announcers are complaing about them.

funny.

[The Champ]

Jones and Granberry Reality?I guess USF has been bad so long you have forgotten what it takes to be a good basketball team.When Heath can have guys like Saaka, Howard, and Verdego coming off the bench that will signal that USF has a pretty good team.Guys like Bozeman, Esseghir, Williams, and Mobolagi shouldn't be on a Big East roster let alone playing for USF.That is the problem, players that should be coming off the bench are starting and the bench is made up of less then quality players.It is all about talent and until USF can have around 8 quality Big East players on their roster they will continue to be automatic wins for other Big East schools.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Greg..

Mac and Eddie Sutton are on TV tonight vs Gonazaga.

Saw a pic of mac on ESPN today sitting next to eddie sutton.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Adam makes some good points, but I think the competition has steped up dramatically. In the BB Altron days we were never succesful against the good teams. We had one win against a ranked opponent during the entire greenberg era.

We beat UAB this year and we use to always struggle against UAB.

I think the competition is to much and we don't have any depth.

[Adam]

It is definately painful to watch. The issue is that Jones cant get a free look, and Gransberry can't carry the team.

The other 3 guys are usually just targets to catch passes while Jones or Grans try to get open.

Howard needs to drive more and kick the ball out, he looks pretty good doing that.

It's tough to watch. Even in the Waldon, Jackson, Kohn years, the team always had some other guys who could step up (Cedric Smith, Chauncy Asbury, etc.) I think one guy had a house arrest anklet, but who cares. I am not saying we were good then, but it wasn't all up to Altron and BB (luckily since he was suspended a lot).

[DELdaBULL]

On the spam thing. On Heath we will agree to disagree.

[DELdaBULL]

I am feeling you reality

[Reality]

Greg, I am not a fan of heath, but I am not spam, typepad needs to work out their issues!

[DELdaBULL]

The bio looks good. The play from last year looks good, but this kid this year looks really bad!

[DELdaBULL]

Bozeman should have a permanent resident next to Coach Heath. I think he is our worst player (I know that is saying a lot).

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I bet you if you looked at the last 3 minutes of the first half in our last 5 losses, we have probably been out scored 120-50. And that is not an exageration.

It is mind numbing. In fact, against Cuse, Seton Hall, and I think Providence we were down double digits, yet we were within 3 points at about the 3:30 mark.

I can't believe we were almost 9 at the 3:30 min mark only to be trailing going in at half. Just awful.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

One thing Stan Heath has got to stop doing -- and one point that was a MAJOR momentum shift in the game was the last 3 mins of the first half. Stan Heath plays typical coach and says "I better save my best player, who has 2 fouls for the second half, so lets get him out of the game before he picks up his third."

HE DOES IT EVERY SINGLE GAME>.. Look at the stat sheet greg. Every single stupid game Stan Heath takes out all the good players the last 3 minutes and then we get totally smoked. We got blown out in the last 3 minutes of the first half at Cuse when it was competitive, we got blown out the last 3 minutes at Providence when it was competitive, we got smoked at Seton Hall the last 3 minutes when it was competitive.

We were just hammering West Va at the 3:30 mark in the first half. I think at one point we were up 9 points. And then Heath continues to try to preserve Gransberry.. IT DOESN'T WORK. I understand the strategy. I understand the thought process, but you just played 15 minutes of the first half and you played it well, only to give it all back because you take all the decent players out and put in boozeman, Ajayi and Mo.

Listen, it doesn't work. You got to play the cards you are dealt. We squandered 15 minutes of solid basketball to get 3 minutes of rest and avoid a foul with gransberry. It is so frustrating to watch.

Coach Heath.. STOP DOING IT! Just leave the damn guy in the game. If he fouls out, we aren't going to win, if he isn't in the game we aren't going to win... It makes no difference. I sat in the 5th row and just watched it all fall apart at the 3 minute mark again. Then we start the second half with gransberry and got up 7 again.

It was a bone headed move. We have no bench. Its obvious. So lets stop trying to convince us that its something that its not. If grans needs a breather thats fine. But stop trying to conserve the only thing that is going to allow us to win. It hasn't worked all year.

We got totally smoked when he is on the bench.

[DELdaBULL]

Reality 2 players does not a TEAM make.

[jap]

USF is all trash!!!

[Reality]

That trash you speak of left over by the previous regime is Dominique Jones and Kentrell Gransbury?

[The Champ]

It is and will always be about talent.USF is bad because kids up to this point don't want to play for a school that has shown no commitment to basketball.Heath has proven that he can rebuild in a tough situation when he took Arkansas from the lowest point in it's history to a top 20 team in the preseason of 2007.Heath is a MAJOR upgrade over the previous coach and once he cleans up the trash left over from the former staff he and his staff will bring in the type of talent that can first compete and later win in the Big East.However Heath is not GOD, so he will need some help which means fans, athletic department, and boosters have to do there part to aid in the task of turning USF into a real Big East team.

[DELdaBULL]

I wanted to, but my good sense got the better of me.

[DELdaBULL]

LOL. That was funny Greg!

[G.A.]

Rip out your eyes = can't read blog. Think, Bulls fans, think!

[DELdaBULL]

The last 7 minutes was like watching a car wreck happen right before your eyes. The free throw shooting alone made me want to rip out my eyes.

[Stephen]

Had a great time no matter the outcome, so much better to watch a game at the ICE PALACE(sorry Greg, it will always be the Ice Palace to me) rather then go to the Sundome. USF should just blow up the sundome and build the football stadium there.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I don't know what to say anymore.

The beer tasted pretty decent.

[Reality]

Don't buy the came in too late theory. Plenty of coaches around the Big east came in late, and they got quality players. Heath has nothing in his second class either. He always used other guys players IE Gary Waters at Kent St, let's see him bring in some top flight players.

Brumbaugh is a criminal, but he is what USF needs. He at least would bea tall 3. I don't think you guys see how desperate the need for a 4 and 5 are for next year. Heath has nothing yet.

[G.A.]

Ideally, Chin would be a 3. He's played plenty of 4 this season.

[FYI]

Chin is not a "4"

[CR]

Heath came in to late to recruit last year. Chin will be a good player in time but he needs to bulk up and get better as a freshman he is not up to playng Big East ball. But give him a couple of years and he will be a contributor,not a difference maker though.

[Reality]

Chin is a bust. Shame that Heath couldnt get any other recruits. I thought he was a great recruiter.

Next year is going to be worse than this year, and that s going to say alot when 2-16 is a distinct possibility.

[G.A.]

Ken, good question, though I doubt we'll get an answer. Waiting to hear back on an actual attendance ...

[Ken]

Also, Greg, besides the turnstile count, any idea what number actually paid for a ticket?

[Ken]

We were awful in the last quarter. Free throws were terrible (esp. KG), passing bad, shooting not good. Where is Chin? We should have won this one; we have a long way to go. And, not to be too pessimistic or premature, but with KG leaving, what can we hope for next year?

[JoeB]

12,000 fans? It didn't look like it on TV. Tough loss for the Bulls. They were right in it until about the 6 minute mark. Too many turnovers, missed free throws, and non stops on defense ruined the day.