More time at point guard for Dominique?

One of the intriguing personnel decisions USF coach Stan Heath will have to make this season is deciding how to rotate four talented guards -- Dominique Jones, Jesus Verdejo, Chris Howard and Mike Mercer -- through was is typically three perimeter positions on the floor.

It's hard to imagine Jones spending too much time on the bench, so you essentially have three players competing for minutes at two spots, unless the Bulls are going to utilize a four-guard look. One creative solution would be giving Jones, who played primarily at shooting guard last season, more minutes at point guard, especially when Howard is on the bench.

"I think I have to do it all -- not do everything, but spread myself out," Jones said. "I know the defense is going to be eyeing me out, so I have to get my team involved, make my teammates better."

Jones averaged 2.8 assists as a freshman, second on the team behind Howard, but said he likes the idea of being a point guard, even preferring it to his initial role as a shooting guard.

"That's what I wanted to do, before I even came here, but I had to do what I had to do," Jones said. "That's going to be real exciting playing the 1 also. (I'm a) combo guard, a 1 and a 2."

-- Mercer, who was arrested last month on a misdemeanor charge of public consumption of alcohol, has entered into a misdemeanor intervention program for first-time offenders. According to the agreement, Mercer will perform 16 hours of community service and pay $386 in fines, and if he completes a three-month probationary period without any additional problems, the charge will be dropped from his record.

-- Recruiting update: I talked Wednesday with Keith Clanton, the 6-foot-8 forward from Orlando Christian Prep who has USF among his final three choices, along with South Carolina and Central Florida. Clanton visited UCF this past weekend and said he'll make a decision in the next two weeks. He said he has no leader among the three, likes the coaches and players and style of play at all three schools. He's been a recruiting priority for Heath for some time, and would give USF a versatile scoring threat who can play either forward position. UCF gives him a chance to stay at home, to be a bigger star in a smaller conference; South Carolina would let him play in an elite conference but be farther from home, and USF would give a little of both, playing not far from home in perhaps the nation's top conference.

-- Point guard Justin Leemow was a late addition to Heath's recruiting class, joining just before fall classes started, but he was drawing praise from his coach and teammates as they met with the media Tuesday. By comparison, Heath didn't say a word about freshman guard Gaby Belardo, though that could just be an oversight.

"He's a late pickup, but definitely a guy who brings tremendous energy every single day," Heath said. "He's probably one of my better fullcourt players. He can pick up the ball, can pick your pocket, and I like that about him."

Comments

[Reality]

So much for Espinosa getting any love.

I think he will have a year similar to DOJO last year. Very solid kid.

Too bad he is not 4 inches taller......and too bad no one else is upfront.

So when does Rivas' knees flare up, any takers on when?

[Dres]

GA- you say South Carolina gives this kid a chance to be in an elite conference. I would beg to differ. The SEC is not that good of a basketball conference; moreover, the big east has produced more pros than the SEC historically.

[G.A.]

The SEC had a higher conference RPI than the Big East last season. I could look up the number of NBA players on a per-school basis for the two leagues, but I imagine the SEC is doing fine there too.

[G.A.]

The Big East's 16 schools account for 57 players currently on NBA rosters; the SEC's 12 schools account for 47. So the Big East has more NBA players, but the SEC has more per member school.

History over the past 25 years might point more toward the Big East.

[Dave W]

The SEC is good, but the Big East's depth is unmatched.

And I almost forgot about basketball- maybe it would be best if I did. Without Teeng Akol, any chance of reaching that absurd goal of top-8 went out the door. Top-12 is a stretch. The goal should be to beat 2 top-25 teams this season and 6 Big East home games.

Clanton would be good help, but a 6'10" C needs to be the biggest target. How many scholarships are open for next year? With Dumars and Noriega already getting 2, Clanton with another, the search for a big man could become dire.

[Jordan]

Dave, Im not going to pretend I know a ton about recruiting, but I have heard some nice things about Rivas-Sanchez. BJ will be a very good post player this year. I think it will simply come down to Gus. We are EXPONENTIALLY better if Gus can play this year. He can be the center for this team, and a center is what this team really needs. If Gus doesnt play this year, it would be possible to go 0- in the BEast this year, thats right, not one conference win. With Gus, I can see that number at about 5 or so. This team is much better than last year. The only piece missing is Gransberry. IMO, Gus will replace him and then some. Just my $0.02 though.

[Reality]

Jordan, I was going to call you crazy for calling BJ a very good player, but then you agreed with me about 0 for the Big East................

[Jordan]

Reality, Im not trying to say that BJ is a first round pick in the NBA Draft this year. Im simply saying that he is a very good defender in the post, and will be able to score a few points every game. He will be a good rebounder/defender IMO this season. Can you really disagree with that?

[DJ]

Heath will not go 0-for in the B.E.

[DJ]

Heath will not go 0-for in the B.E.

[DJ]

Heath will not go 0-for in the B.E.

[Ken]

And saying it three times makes it true for sure!

[DJ]

Sorry, didn't mean to do that.