Here's Wednesday's weekly notes a day early. More notes to come ...
TAMPA – Stan Heath opens practice for his second season of USF basketball Friday, and while he still doesn’t know if star transfer Gus Gilchrist can play this season, he’s setting the bar high.
In the past three years, USF has aspired – and failed – to reach the Big East tournament, which took only the top 12 of the league’s 16 teams. All 16 will play in Madison Square Garden this season, so Heath is challenging his team to land a first-round bye, which would require a regular-season finish in the top eight.
"Every year, there’s one or two teams that will surprise you, that nobody thinks are going to be in the mix," Heath said. "We’re not going to concede anything to anybody. … I still think being a postseason team is very important, something that has to be one of our goals. We want to attain that. … Trying to play five days in a row and win in the Big East tournament would be a huge challenge for anybody. We would like to avoid that first day, so that’s one of our goals."
It’s a tall order for a program that’s yet to finish higher than a tie for 14th in the standings, with a 7-43 record in three years of league play. After a 12-19 mark in Heath’s debut, even a .500 record and a trip to the NIT would be a major step, as the Bulls haven’t played in the postseason since 2002.
Heath is optimistic about his guards, with starters Dominique Jones, Jesus Verdejo and Chris Howard returning, but needs to shore up the frontcourt, where the Bulls lost two-time Big East rebounding champ Kentrell Gransberry.
Gilchrist, awaiting word from the NCAA on a hardship waiver that would allow him to play this season, is a versatile scorer; Heath said he may be the team’s best perimeter shooter at 6-foot-10, and Verdejo compares him to Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki.
"(We need) more of a blue-collar attitude, where we put on our hard hats, compete, work, get after it every single day," Heath said. "That’s the mindset we’ve tried to instill our team as we go into our season."
Heath isn’t the only one with high expectations – Verdejo, one of three seniors, wants to take the Bulls to another level before leaving.
"I’ve got to play every game like it’s my last," Verdejo said. "We’ve got a good understanding of what (Heath) likes, and I think we’re going to do great. … This year, my goal is to make the NCAA Tournament. We’re looking for nothing less. That would be a huge step for everybody."
RECRUITING: USF women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez has his first oral commitment for next season, getting a pledge from Kaneisha Saunders, a 5-foot-9 combo guard from Delray Beach Atlantic. Saunders, who chose USF over James Madison and Florida A&M, averaged 20 points and eight assists last season. Her high school teammate, guard Sasha Bernard, has USF in her final two but is likely headed to Indiana.
THIS AND THAT: The AFC champions will call USF home in the week leading up to Super Bowl XLIII in January, using the Bulls’ athletic facility and practice fields. USF also hosted practices in 2001 when the Super Bowl was last in Tampa. … Men’s soccer, off to a 5-1-1 start in the Big East, has a key showdown Saturday at St. John’s, also 5-1-1, with the Red Division lead on the line. USF’s women’s team continues to impress with a 7-4-3 overall record … Volleyball, off to a 3-3 start in Big East play, would miss the conference tournament right now in ninth place, though the Bulls are only a game and a half out of second place in a tight league logjam.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
You have to love Heath's attitutde towards this season. Aim big, and you will see things happen. If the Rays can do it in the AL EAST then there is no reseason why USF basketball cant win in the BIG EAST.
Posted by: Bull Daly | October 15, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Poor Ari,
Sorry you have to live with your Mom. Anyway, we do have a penetrating guard in Mercer. Do your homework. We have probably one of the top crew of guards in the B.E. Be a real fan. Plus you need something to keep your mind off of not having a woman to fondle. LOL.
That's pretty sad.
Posted by: DJ | October 15, 2008 at 10:01 AM
I want to see the Bulls do well, but I think this is too much too soon.
Posted by: Mike Lakeland | October 15, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Bull Hooper is right. Heath has liked Espinosa in a big way from the start. Jesus Verdejo was talking him up today, said he can guard anybody from a point guard to a power forward equally well. Said he's 6-7 with a 40-inch vertical. I think I might have to get a note in on him tomorrow ...
Posted by: G.A. | October 14, 2008 at 11:53 PM
nobody mentions Eladio Espinosa. But when Coach Heath talks, he talks about Eladio Espinosa.
Posted by: Bull Hooper | October 14, 2008 at 11:39 PM
This year will be a year that I believe that we will see a small improvement (if Gilchrist is eligible). However, like Jordan said, if we get Philmore, Clanton and Crump we will be fine next season. Essentially, we are only losing Verdejo after this season and the team will get a chance to gel this year and be better next season. Add in some more talent up front and at the 3 and we will compete in the BEAST.
Posted by: AGW | October 14, 2008 at 11:35 PM
LOL Ari did you just say you are living at your moms house! lol Thats the funniest sh*t I've read all night!
Posted by: Rob | October 14, 2008 at 11:10 PM
I understand what you are saying Herman. Like I said, I am a senior, so I have only followed USF Basketball for a few years. I was just commenting that Ari's attitude was pathetic at best. I have faith that Stan is the right guy. I have seen more from him in a season then in all of Mac's time. We just have to keep on supporting the team, and let the people getting paid do their thing.
Posted by: Jordan | October 14, 2008 at 10:46 PM
I cant speak for his "no tail" or living situation since his relocation but one thing I know for sure is Ari is no bandwagon usf bball fan. Been going through heartbreaking seasons with him and a bunch others since 1997. I think we are the minority, while most USF students in our day and today are excited about the new football program all us northerners were in Fontana Hall getting pumped up to watch Choncey Asbury and Arthur Reeves take on UNC Charlotte. Out goal was so simple, an NCAA tournament bid. Not the NIT (Not in Tournament) banners they got hanging in the Sundome, but a bid to the big dance. I still twitch when I think of the Seth Greenberg teams and the missed free throws. I still get nauseous when I think about our first few years in the Big East and how we thought Mac was going to be the guy to build us a winner. I know Ari will follow the Bulls via GA blog, he will just not be able to watch them on DC local TV,nor do we get much if any national games. But someone who has been through all that crap we (all of us) have as usf bball fans you know you cant stop watching for that one day.
With Stan Heath Ive learned in my older days to give a coach a longer leash and a fair chance. He has about 2 more years. Until then I am optimistic.
Posted by: Herman Momart | October 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM
To add to the conversation, I think many people are underestimating Rivas-Sanchez. If he can get healthy, he is a very good defender and will be a nice big body to have. I will agree though that this season more than likely depends on Gus.
Posted by: Jordan | October 14, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Right on Bull Hooper. This is my senior year, and I have always attended as many games as I could. While they are free for me, I also plan on purchasing season tickets when I graduate. Its funny because USF basketball will one day be like the Rays. Then, you will get all of the fair-weather fans who "have been true fans for years" jumping on the bandwagon. What makes a good fan is somebody who is with the team through both the good times and the bad. The players both need and deserve our support through hell and high water, and the team struggling is no excuse.
/Rant/
LOL Kevin, that would probably be why Ari is struggling... "Hey, you wanna go back to my moms place after the movies"?
Posted by: Jordan | October 14, 2008 at 10:14 PM
wow Ari, let me just say on behalf of everyone....gross. I usually have no problems with your posts, but that was a bit much. i think the no tail part has a lot to do with 1. you live with your mom and 2. you are looking for a woman to "fondle". Go Bulls!
Posted by: kevin | October 14, 2008 at 09:45 PM
i agree with Jordan, the USF Mens Basketball team will be improved. i also agree with Jordan that the whiney fair weather fans are sorry, and probably do our program more harm than good. I am glad if those people dont show up. as for me, i will attend every home game and support the team unconditionally.
Posted by: Bull Hooper | October 14, 2008 at 08:57 PM
If we get Gilchrist, we will have a better frontcourt this year than last year. Gus, BJ, and Sanchez vs Kentrell, BJ, and Mo. Better frontcourt and backcourt this year. Prob finish 10th in the BEAST. You heard it here first. Ari, its one thing if you cant afford season tickets, aint nobody questioning you on that. With that said, god grow a pair. You sound like a whiny little runt because your team is struggling. This is what makes the winning even sweeter. Grow up.
Posted by: Jordan | October 14, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I have decided to keep my expectations nice and low this year. No season tickets. No calling Herman to say "you watching the game tonight" and he replying "who are we playing."
Ari Hinkelberger is taking this season off. I'll catch a game here and there, but I can't invest any emotional energy in this team at this time. We got a wacked out financial market. I am living at my mom's, due to a recent relocation. I haven't gotten any decent looking tail in about 7 months. I just don't have time for the 1-15 Bulls at this time in my life. I wish the green giants well, but we don't have anyone that can play the post. We still lack a guard that can penetrate and create shots. All we really have is D. Jones and a half decent shooter in verdejo. I remember the butt beating at Providence last year. I remember the 20 pt thumping by Notre Dame at the Sun Dome.
Ari Hinkelberg is taking this season off. Good luck Stan, I'll be the first one on the bandwagon if things turn around. History says other wise. We haven't made the tourny in 17 years. I find it hard to believe that anything has really changed.
In the mean time, I need to find a place to live and decent looking womann to fondle.
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | October 14, 2008 at 07:58 PM
That would be great Jesus, but while the Bulls are on the right track, they are a year away from being a Top Eight BE Team and possible NCAAT participant.
Clanton, Crump, Philmore, another shot blocking & rebounding Big need to be on the 09-2010 team.
We are fortunate to potentially have the most talented backcourt in the BE for the next 2 seasons with Jones and Mercer. Also get Crump and Philmore and no one could argue that we will be the best outside shooting team in the BE and up there with the best in the nation.
Posted by: Bruiser | October 14, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Thanks for the updates Greg! I think IF, and thats a huge IF, Gus can play, this team can win atleast 5 Conference Games this season. You heard it here first.
Posted by: Jordan | October 14, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Please let me live one day to watch my South Florida Bulls play in the NCAA tournament.
Very simple, we need Gus along side Jones and Mercer with Verdajo, Howard and the rest of the role players and I think we have the chance to sneak up on some people.
Im always optimistic in the beginning of the season, usually wears off about 3-4 games into conference play, hopefully not this year. I'll be at MSG for the BE Championship, guaranteed!
Posted by: Herman Momart | October 14, 2008 at 06:17 PM