Saaka, Holmes get releases to transfer

Sophomore forward Amu Saaka said Friday night that he understands the suddenly high turnover in scholarships after Stan Heath's first season with the Bulls.

"With a coaching change, you're bound to get a couple," said Saaka, one of five scholarship players brought in under Robert McCullum to be granted a release from USF since Heath was hired in April.

Saaka and redshirt freshman Aaron Holmes, who saw their playing time diminish significantly in Big East play, are the latest to free up scholarships for Heath, who now has five available for the spring signing period. A week ago, that number was thought to be just one.

Tuesday brought news that sophomore guard Solomon Bozeman had gotten a release, and that junior college guard Lasha Parghalava, once a Bulls commitment, had been encouraged to look elsewhere in recent weeks.

Neither Saaka nor Holmes should come as a surprise. Both played well at the end of the nonconference schedule -- Saaka had 13 and 17 against St. Francis (N.Y.) and Winston-Salem State; Holmes went for 13 and 20 (in a combined 36 minutes) in the same two games. But those two-game totals were as much as their entire contributions in Big East play: Saaka and Holmes each had exactly 30 points in 18 conference games.

Saaka was never the same after breaking his nose in a January win against Rutgers; he went 1-for-10 in his next three games, and after a 9-point game against Seton Hall, he hit only seven shots in the final 13 games. After averaging 17.0 minutes per game as a freshman, he got 10.5 this past season.

"It wasn't the right fit. It didn't feel right," Saaka said. "I've been thinking about (transferring) for a while. There was just little stuff that kind of planted the seed."

Having said that, Saaka called Heath "a great guy," said they "still have a good relationship," that Heath told him he was welcome to continue working out with the current players the rest of the semester. He hasn't redshirted, so he can transfer, sit out a year and still have two years to play.

Holmes' role became non-existent in the second half of the conference season. Of the last nine games, he didn't play in five and played only one minute in three others. He shot 21 percent from the field in the Big East, and his minutes weren't going to improve next season with all three starting guards back and transfer Mike Mercer joining the mix.

Holmes, having already sat out a season after transferring from Florida State, is likely headed to a junior college, where he can play one season, re-establish himself and transfer again to a four-year program with two years of eligibility. It would mean four schools in four years, but the alternative is sitting out another season for the right to play two years at a four-year program.

With the departures, next year's team will have, at the most, three players who played under McCullum: guards Chris Howard and Jesus Verdejo, along with forward Aris Williams, whose future remains uncertain because of the lingering knee problems that limited him to 11 total points this season. At a position where the Bulls were perilously thin, Williams never logged more than 12 minutes in any game and was held out of 13 games.

Heath has five scholarships to use this spring, but two could be spoken for by the end of the weekend, with possible commitments from point guard Dwan McMillan of Brooklyn, N.Y., and 6-foot-8, 295-pound forward/center Gene Teague of Vineland, N.J., who were both on campus Friday making official visits. Junior college guard Jeremie Simmons is due in next weekend, and junior college forward Juan Pattillo is expected to line up a visit as well. The Bulls continue to pursue three high school big men in suburban D.C.'s Maurice Sutton, IMG Academy's Teeng Akol and Chicago's Steve Goins, as well as junior college standouts Gary Flowers and Keith Brumbaugh and other recruits who are still in play ...

Comments

[The Champ]

Now there are 6 scholarships available and one can only think that Coach Heath must have a pretty good idea of who they will be signing this spring.

I just can't eee Heath and his staff dropping guys so quickly if they didn't have recruits lined up.

There will be some people that won't like the releasing of players, but being nice has had usf near the bottom of the big east.

BTW can we sign both McMillan and Simmons?If so that would be great and what does that mean for Howard?

[Micah Kushner]

Any word if Holmes in going to stay local and play ball for Derrick Worrels at HCC?

[Micah Kushner]

Any word if Holmes is going to stay local and play ball for Derrick Worrels at HCC?

[G.A.]

Champ, good question on McMillan and Simmons. From the outside looking in, it would seem to overload at the position to add both, knowing Howard's going to be a junior and Mercer and Jones a sophomore. But if Heath wants depth, I wouldn't rule it out.

I think it's still just five scholarships available this spring, unless someone knows something I don't.

[mike]

It'll be 6 when aris williams leaves. he is holding the team back by taking up a scholarship

[Reality]

Teague is an upgrade over.......maybe Frane Markusovic.....who by the way was in the NCAA tournament yesterday.....Give me a break.

McMillan is a good recruit, but not one that everyone was fighting over. Nice thing is everyone has no excuse when the Bulls lose. These are Stan's kids now.

I think the NCAA needs to step in and guarantee these scholarships to high school kids. You cant allow jerks like Stan Heath to come in and not honor commitments these men made to a college.

Side note, Aaron Holmes has fallen very hard.....Stay Strong Aaron. You are better than being here. Go to Juco and then go to a college that is going to the NCAA Tournament.....

[The Champ]

I do like the idea of adding some much needed speed and quickness to the backcourt.We had a very difficult time matching up with other teams PGs all conference long.

[G.A.]

Bozeman and Saaka both came to USF after signing elsewhere, then getting a release because of a coaching change. It's not like McCullum wasn't on the hot seat when they chose to come to USF, so having a new coach a year later couldn't have been that big a shock to them.

[ScottK]

Greg - What happens with USF's APR with all of these transfers? Does it have a negative effect if the players transfer elsewhere and graduate in a timely manner? Does it matter whether or not they were in good academic standing when the leave?

[BullsFan]

Looks like 6 scholarships will be open very shortly after Williams is dismissed or not medically cleared. The six scholarships need to go to Flowers, Sutton, Teague, Goins, Brumbaugh or Patillo, and Simmons or McMillan. This will give us 6 bigs for next year (3-PF, 3-C) and size is what we need. This will also gives us athletic 3 men (Chin and Brumbaugh/Patillo) and a pretty deep backcourt in Mercer, Jones, Howard, Verdejo and Simmons or McMillan.
Now that is what I call a turnaround, 8 new faces on a 13 man roster. Way to go coach. We needed an upgrade in talent. Can't wait for next season and the 2009 season.

[Herman Momart]

way to go Stan. I hate to see kids we have watched for some time go, but Champ is right, being nice is what kept us at the bottom of the Big East. I think Reality is a Seton Hall fan and reminiscing the days of Terry Dehere and wants to keep USF down. This happens all the time, it doesnt make Stan a bad person, it makes him a business man trying to do a good job in which he was hired and paid to do.

Its a new look for the Bulls and I cant wait. If you havent noticed all the big East teams (besides UCONN) are playing great in the tournament. Heath knows he has to oversucceed to be successful in this conference.

Steve Lavin talked briefly about Heath and his boys down in Arkansas and how that group is dangerous because they have expierience and have been in the tournament the last 3 years and he had no idea why Heath was fired. If we could have USF be a 9 seed in the NCAA tournament would feel like winning the superbowl from what I have seen here the last 12 years.

USF can definitely expect my check for season tickets next year.

[Dave W]

What is it with all the hate towards Aris? He's had a rough time, but mike, you need to settle down. He certainly is not holding the team back. With 6 new players, his experience as a veteran accustomed to the college life could alone make him a valued teammate (especially considering his academic prowess- everyone I know that knows him says he is a really smart guy). Considering that the minutes will go to Ajayi, Chin, Espinosa, and at least 3 other big men, a healthy Aris wouldn't get many minutes anyways. But that doesn't mean he should be cut loose.

I liked Saaka a lot, just not as a PF. He had some really good qualities. The nose thing probably killed his season, and he didn't really fit Heath's defense too well. Hopefully, he'll excel at his next school.

Holmes has to go down as a huge disappointment. I don't know if he got a fair chance in Big East play, or if he was just really overhyped. Either way, he's got a tough decision to make.

And now, to pontificate a little. A good coach finds ways to win with the talent on hand. Having Amu Saaka not fit in the defense isn't quite the same as Ryan Mallett not being able to run a spread offense. A basketball coach should be judged by his ability to adapt to his personnel and game situations. Heath earned a D+ at both last year. By jettisoning most of the team, we better see marked improvement in the hustle and basketball IQ departments. I'm not expecting too much from such a young team, I just want to see the potential of the new team greatly exceed last years. Otherwise, I don't think he is justified in running so many guys off.

[Nailz]

Dave are you serious? You really believe that Amu Saaka and others that have been cut could've played in the Big East? What game were you watching? Saaka didnt have the touch or the handles to be a 3 nor the size and strength to be a 4? Hell, Heath didnt have a 4 man until Ajayi came along at the end of the season but I guess his improvement had nothing to do with coaching right?

[The Champ]

Bob Knight,(902-371) (3 NCAA Championships), (4 National coach of the year awards),yeah that guy once got rid of 9 players when he took over the Texas Tech job in 2001.

Going by Dave W's philosophy Coach Knight would get a F grade and be considered a very poor basketball coach with no ability adapt to his personel or teach the game of basketball.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

This is just another typical South Florida Fire Sale. Mac did the same thing when he came in. I don't really understand it to be honest... but if Heath has guys out there that he can sign, then pull the trigger I guess.

I think we will have a fantastic front court in Mercer and Jones next year. Its a shame that Grans is a senior.

All this moving and shaking doesn't really mean much to me. I'll start seeing things improve if we get Mr. Brumbaugh in a bulls jersey.

All these outher guys are just hot air.

A 6-11 295 lb freshmen? Do you really see him taking over the league??

Come on. Just get Keith in here

[Bull Hooper]

hey Ari, i saw Tommy Tonelli last night at the Times Forum... he told me: Keith Brumbaugh is not coming to USF.

if he's right, I'm relieved, it sounded to me like he's another David Sills attitude-wise, if not another Marvin Taylor (who i think is the real reason USF basketball has had such a tough time, we've still never recovered from that).

we need kids that want to be at USF, and who will do the right thing as student-athletes.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Oh spare me the "we need student athletes" non-sense. We don't need student athletes on our basekeball team, we need guys that average 40 pts and 17 rebs.

I could care less if the kid is a Rhode Scholar. Just get the ball to the bucket. Another solid recruit doesn't make his way to USF. Comical. Just like its comical that stud guard from West VA is from freakin Spring Hill.

Sorry if I am not excited about a 6-11 fat guy from New York who averaged 15 pts a game.

What a shame.

[BullGrowler]

I don't think Williams is going anywhere since he is a senior and his transfer options are limited.

BTW Ari the difference between McCrapper and Heath is that CRM ran off half the roster but had no clue or ability on how to replace them b/c of his 'charming' personality. Heath has been mentioned with at least 30 names over the last three weeks and you can tell why he is considered a top notch recruiter.

Please note that unlike McCrapper Heath relishes the challenge of building USF hoops. CRM is a mid-major level coach.

[mike]

dave w, what you say is hilarous, aris williams is holding this program back by taking a scholarship, if you dont think so then you are blind and know nothing about basketball. he has done NOTHING ever since he has been here and has gotten a free ride. dont give me the injury excuses. the guy is no where near big east talent and he has to go. get over it

[Herman Momart]

Ari and Dave I agree with a lot you guys have to say but I think you are waaay off.

Dave, you cant win in the Big East with this talent. I dont care who has the clipboard. Its not always about x's and o's. I think Heath is smarter than you think and knows how good the other teams are and recruit and is busting his butt trying to get talent in here and for that I applaud him.

Ari, What Mac and Heath are doing is completely opposite. Mac ran players off and couldnt recruit anyone. that was the worst experience I ever had in being a fan of a team. Who are you kidding?

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Just want to make the point that Bob Huggins didn't clean house at Kansas State OR West Va..

Kansas State was HORRIBLE when he got there. Yet they were NCAA bubble team his first year.

Just saying. I think he should have kept A. Holmes around.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I can't believe these clowns around town who thought Bob Huggins would have been a terrible hire. What a joke those idiots were. He changed the entire landscape of K-State basketball in one damn year.

We should have hired huggins.. I don't care if he would have been here for one year.

[kyle]

ari make your mind up. first you say stan heath is a great hire, then after his first year you are crying about him not recruiting. you need to see a doctor because you might have bipolar condition. you overreact, get a life

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Kyle is it my faul your ARM mortage is reseting? You must have missed the econ class that taught you about putting a down payment down to cover any period of market depreciation.

I hope they foreclose quickly.

[Bull Hooper]

those who say "spare me the crap about student-athletes" don't understand the difference between college and pro sports. trouble with the NCAA, or bad press with a bad kid, is the last thing our program needs. over the last few years, nobody from our program (except Sills) has gotten into trouble, and for the most part, our on-court demeanor has been impeccable. hopefully we can get better kids without taking on thugs. another Marvin Taylor would really kill our program.

do any of you remember Marvin Taylor? he started for our first NCAA team.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Nobody from USF has gotten in trouble??

HA HA

you are clearly from the Bullspen.com

ha ha ha you clearly show why you got banned from thebullspen.com you sound like a moron

[mike]

i dont know who's worse, ari, cee, or reality. they all whine

[Ari Hinkelberger]

The guy just said "Over the last few years, nobody from our program has gotten in trouble."

HA!

[Bull Hooper]

i meant the basketball program, who am i forgetting?

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Oh.. If you are just talking about the basketball program.. Then yeah, you are right. Only issue that comes to mind is maybe BB Waldon and a little pot smoking, but that isn't bad. I thought you were talking about athletics in general. Football team hasn't exactly been "Mr. Crime Fighter."

[G.A.]

Guys, this thread is devolving very quickly. Just stick to the topic and avoid the back and forth. I have better things to do than delete comments.

Basketball hasn't had any problems since I've been on the beat. Sills was already gone before he started getting arrested.

[The Champ]

I'm hearing that both McMillan and Teague may be commits soon.

My brother who has a source within the program say that McMillan put on a dazzling display of speed, quickness, and playmaking ability while playing against the USF holdovers.He will be the starting PG immediately if he signs.

Teague looked like a beast in the paint and displayed moves around the basket with power and finesse.He also can shoot very well from mid-range too.While he is around 300lbs, but not a chubby fat, he needs to loose around 20 to 25 lbs.He can play now but at around 275 he could be a special player for USF in the coming seasons.

Take that info for what it is worth, but normally the info from the same source has been dead on.

[Observer]

I do think some of the players needed to move on. In the case of Holmes, he was raw talent that needed coaching. I question Heath's ability to develope players, when all he is doing is bringing in JUCO types that someone else has developed. Holmes was never given a chance.... USF's loss. He will go JUCO, and we will wonder why we didn't keep him.

[ucfrocks]

Amazing how UCF does not panic like this. We love our coaches and our coaches love us. Coach O'Leary's players graduate, unlike Coach Leavitt's players.

[RR]

Champ, I hope you're wrong about Teague committing.

This looks like a guy who is woefully over-hyped. No way he's 6'8". He looks slow and very limited as far as up-side.

He's too short to be a power forward, and too slow to be a small forward.

Look elsewhere, Coach Heath! Please!!

[Eric]

UCFROCKS... this is about basketball. What panic are you reading? And please show me where kids that stay all 4 years do not graduate? You are trying to start a fight that cannot be won on your side. We have an academic committee this past year that only permitted players already eligible. We had a better recruiting class. We also beat you in basketball. UCF kids graduate and USF kids dont. Your an idiot.

[Ken]

It is a shame that players have to leave, but it has to happen. We had such high hopes for Holmes, and he looked so good for a couple of days.

[Tampa fan]

High school players....stay AWAY from USF...they are losers.

[insider]

It is amazing how quickly coaches forget that they are dealing with other human beings. Coach Heath is a snake and the hiring of him by Doug Woolard says alot about the future of USF athletics. I just don't understand it, he gets FIRED from a school that was having no major basketball issues; was actually doing good (two NCAA tournament appearances, back to back 20 win seasons)and we go and pick him up in less than a week, seems like a brash move by Woolard... RCM let people go because they were thugs, Heath has been letting guys go because they don't fit his bill. Yes changes have to be made and are expected when a new coach comes into a program but the way that Heath went about it was an atrocious act... Reality was right, the only positive from these actions will be that there are nomore excuses for anyone but I'm sure when it comes time to replace Heath "loyal" supporters like Ari will find something else to blame it on.

[The Champ]

LMAO at how misinformed you are "insider."

I'd be ashame to post with such lack of knowledge and facts.

[Insider]

What was I misinformed about? How many tournaments Arkansas made? The reasons McCullum let people go? The time table that Heath was hired in?... Ok well lets see maybe it was two weeks... Heath was not one of the coaches that Woolard was initially going after, in fact Heath approached Woolard at the NCAA tournament and expressed interests in the position. There were three other coaches that Woolard targeted, no sorry four other coaches, they all declined the offer, Woolard was starting to get worried so when this guy came along and expressd interest he hired him. I have my facts straight because like I said I am an "insider"... If I didn't have first hand accounts on things that were going on then I would not be speaking on them. Champ your on the outside looking in my friend

[G.A.]

Hey, insider, who were these four coaches who were offered and declined?

Targeted Mr. Auman not offered... Pelphrey, Grant, Majerus and the one guy that withdrew his name after he visited the campus. These were coaches that Woolard himself said that he wanted, he had even mentioned Fran Fraschilla before he mentioned Heath. I did not mean to turn this into a back and forth between The Champ and myself, I apologize for that becaue I know that back and forth conversations was what you did not want. Simply was voicing my opinion. Mr. Auman the guard Dwan that just committed looked very very quick. He will fit his offense very well, but what about defense? Mr. Auman do you think that his size will be a liability on the defensive end going against guys taller and stronger. Mr. Auman what do you think this means for Chris Howard?

[G.A.]

Your Howard question is a good one. He has a battle on his hands, not just for the starting point guard job, but for minutes in that backcourt. Mercer was already pushing for minutes from Howard and Verdejo -- it'll help to have the regulars getting 32-34 minutes instead of 37-39 minutes. Adding McMillan means splitting up the backcourt pie into smaller pieces still; the Bulls could still add a strong perimeter scorer like Jeremie Simmons, too ... You could argue this will be the best backcourt depth USF has had in a long, long time.

[Insider]

Thank you... I thought it was a good question haha... I agree very very deep backcourt. Howard is stuck just like Aris Williams is, he's actually in worse shape. He used his redshirt year already and being that he played major minutes last year it will be hard for him to get the medical offer that Williams received. From my understanding if you take a medical that means you can't walk on either, am I right on that Mr. Auman? Saw Jeremie Simmons play on numerous occasions. Good player but if he comes on then that would mean Jesus would probably be out of minutes too. Mercer, Jones and Simmons man thats some scoring power there but maybe not enough shots to go between the three let alone the five that will be on the floor.

[G.A.]

Looking at the lineup right now, it certainly seems like a guard-dominated team, unless Heath gets some major recruits with his last scholarships.

Obviously you can't move to a medical scholarship and continue to play; the premise of such a scholarship is that you've sustained an injury that keeps you from playing. I wouldn't write off Howard and Verdejo just yet -- they are the two best leaders and the most experienced players returning next season. Their minutes might be down, but they'll still be important parts of next year's team.

[reality]

I would assume that Gregg Marshall is the "other guy" that Insider forgot about......

[The Champ]

Whatever imposter used my name at 9:14 pm March 23, 2008 needs to get their own damn blog name.Kids stuff needs to be on a kids board and not wher grown men and women communicate.

insider and anybody else that reads my comments on here know this I'm usually at work or heading that way at 9pm or shortly after.

Besides there is a way to tell it is the real "The Champ" by the I write.