Verdejo out for Marquette game
USF's men's basketball team, trying to end a six-game losing streak tonight at Marquette, will have to do so without junior guard Jesus Verdejo, who will miss the game after tweaking his lower back in Saturday's practice.
Sophomore guard Solomon Bozeman is expected to start in Verdejo's place, and the Bulls will also be without reserve forward Aris Williams, who has a left knee injury. The Bulls seek their first road Big East win against a Marquette team that is undefeated at home this season, averaging more than 15,000 fans at the Bradley Center. Only Louisville and Syracuse are averaging more fans in the Big East.
The Bulls need a strong showing, if only to get their lockers back. Coach Stan Heath kicked his players out of their locker room after Friday's practice, and the team has worked out of the visiting locker room in three practices since. Heath also took away their practice gear, so the Bulls have gone with no numbers since then -- just green shorts and white practice tops. Six straight double-digit losses has to make a coach try something ...
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Thats all we need, one of our staters to go out with injury on a road game to a team who is undefeated at home. Im guessing our guys will be playing out of the visitor locker room for a long time. I'd be pulling more than practice gear with the effort these guys put on peremeter D and rebounding.
Rutgers pulling a few W's out and they play us again, a very good chance we finish in last place. See you guys at te Big East tourney next year.
Go Bulls...I guess!
Posted by: Herman Momart | January 29, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Rutgers isnt the gimme, I thought it was going to be. Corey Chandler is back and somewhat healthy, and with him, USF has no chance at the RAC.
Let's hope Heath doesnt pull a Kevin Bannon, former coach at RU and have naked free throw shooting contests. Taking away the jersey has to stop somewhere.
All you heath supporters, didnt Mac win a few games last year? Less talent than Heath has to work with (Holmes and DOJO)????
Posted by: Reality Clearwater | January 29, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Mac also had McHugh Matis.... (huge loss) and Melvin Buckly
Posted by: flsportsfan83 | January 29, 2008 at 04:53 PM
I saw Mac on ESPN coaching USF with Eddie Sutton looking for victory #800. Mac may be the next HC at USF.
Posted by: Al | January 29, 2008 at 05:08 PM
I wish Coach would play Aaron Holmes, if for no other reason but i think he's the second best rebounder on the team right now.
But no matter what, i will continue to support the team. even if it aint easy!
All we are saying... is give Heath a chance! (with apologies to the late great JOHN LENNON)
Posted by: Bull Hooper | January 29, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Mac's wins were against Rutgers, Cinci and Notre Dame..
Plus mac got smoked by Pitt, Uconn, Syracuse and Lousiville.
Not to mention mac got smoked by Richmond, UAB and Florida State.
3 teams stan beat.
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | January 29, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Greg..
I would love to see some sort of stat that showed how USF collapses every single game with 3 minutes to go in the first half.
It is like clock work. We will be within 2 or maybe leading -- then the floor falls out and we end up down 8 going to the locker room.
Amazing.
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | January 29, 2008 at 08:55 PM
How are those free throws doing?
Coaching my friends.
Needs to get on these kids.
Posted by: Reality | January 30, 2008 at 12:02 AM
USF should disband the basketball program before the BEast kicks the Bulls out the conference.
Posted by: Al | January 30, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Holmes is very predictable, he bricks all his 3pt attempts while the game is on the line, but when in garbage time he makes them.Hopefully next season he reverses that trend.
Posted by: The Champ | January 30, 2008 at 10:35 AM