As if opening Big East play on ESPN at home against a hot No. 13 Syracuse team wasn't enough, USF has a little extra on the line for Friday night's game at the Sun Dome. Point guard Anthony Crater, who is transferring from Ohio State after one semester with the Buckeyes, will visit USF's campus with his mother this weekend and attend the game, according to his AAU coach.
Crater, a highly touted recruit from Flint, Mich., has narrowed his list of potential schools to USF, Baylor and Stanford, according to Carlos Fordham. "I think South Florida is right there at the top of the list," said Fordham, who coached Crater at Flint's Southwestern Academy and in AAU ball as well.
Because of the short timeline to transfer at the semester break, Fordham said Crater must make his decision quickly, and he said a strong visit could lead to Crater committing without taking additional visits. Fordham said Crater is well aware of USF coach Stan Heath because of his roots in Michigan and said the first letter Crater got from a college coach in high school was from Heath when he was at Arkansas.
Crater's quickness and passing skills would help fill a key recruiting need for the Bulls -- he would be eligible after the end of fall exams in December, with three and a half years of eligibility at his new school. The Bulls had sought another midyear transfer in former Wake Forest forward Jamie Skeen, but he chose Virginia Commonwealth, citing a desire to remain closer to his North Carolina home.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
reality, what question did you ask Heath?
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | January 03, 2009 at 09:56 AM
reality, why would a Bulls fan wear seton hall jersey to a Bulls game? Are you joking or what? I was in the green and gold room. Sorry I didn't read your post before I left for game.
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | January 03, 2009 at 09:52 AM
i waited around the Dome until most of the fans had cleared out. Doug Woolard was talking to Crater. I waited until he was finished. I holla: "Hey Noopy!" he turned around, looked excited, and gave me a thumbs up.
I think Noopy will be a Bull.
Posted by: Bull Hooper | January 03, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Looked pretty full in there to me!
Posted by: Rob | January 02, 2009 at 11:33 PM
I think Paul's about right. Half-hour before tip here, there literally will be more Orange fans than Bulls. Honest.
Posted by: Greg Auman | January 02, 2009 at 07:58 PM
I'd say 500 more students if it was next week instead of this wk.
Posted by: Paul Wall | January 02, 2009 at 07:35 PM
Al is right, in that the students won't be there as much as if school were in session. I don't know that the students represent a huge percentage of the home basketball crowds on any given night.
Posted by: G.A. | January 02, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Sold out was I guess just another sad green and gold colored glasses statement by myself.
I figured that since I had 8 free vouchers, and actually had 8 people I know that are going, I figured that most of the other Bulls that had tickets to the Magicjack were giving their vouchers away too, but I guess I forgot that even free tickets to USF basketball are not a good deal.
IT IS SO SAD THAT given how many syracuse people that will be there tonight, and the 500 strong Bulls fan like myself, that the footbull people, couldnt pack the house.
So, sorry i am wrong about it being sold out, and the fact that you all scoffed, probably says more than I need to say about this whole situation.
If you guys want to see me in the Green and Gold room tonight, I will wear my Seton Hall jersey, so you can all come up and say hi.
I will even try and ask Stan a question!
Ari Rules!
Posted by: Reality | January 02, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Greg...last year's Cuse game was in Feb on a weeknight...so student attendance was probably a lot better than tonight's will be since school is closed.
The last couple of WBB games had about 3 or four students in attendance due to Christmas break.
USF should have a ballpark figure for the number of vouchers exchanged for tickets so far, but it's probably so low that they don't want to tell you. I exchanged mine before a WBB game back in December. I couldn't find anyone who wanted them so those seats will be empty.
Posted by: Al | January 02, 2009 at 03:59 PM
Steve,
That is a great story...
I always thought that I was extremely loud....(Football Games) But, I have never been kicked out of my seat...(yet)...
I just hope the game is not blacked out...Too far of a drive with the 3 kids and don't really want to stay the night in TPA...
Posted by: Bulliever | January 02, 2009 at 03:35 PM
D-1 is a student section, row 12 is in D-2 not D-1.
Posted by: Al | January 02, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Asked USF today, and they don't know -- can't say how many people will trade in the many vouchers that were sent out. Last year's Syracuse game drew 6,800, so I'd set that as a starting point for what a strong crowd would be.
Posted by: G.A. | January 02, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Wow Steve, you sound like the typical USF fan, big surprise!
Posted by: Chalko | January 02, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Greg-
Is it possible to ask USF how many people they are expecting tonight?
Posted by: USF 08 Alum | January 02, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Bullhooper, isn't section D a student section? I'm with you on the loud part. I used to have 2 seats on the row right behind visiting team, sect E. Now they give those 1st 2 rows to visiting fans. That and the fact that they raised my seat prices is when I didn't renew. I had to sit up at the very top of the dome 1 year because I was being so loud and visiting coach told ref I was cussing. The other USF fans told security that I never cussed but I was extremely loud. They actually stopped the game and had me moved. The refs wanted me ejected but USF officials asked if they could relocate me instead. It was a game at Xmas time and there was maybe 300 or so people at game. It was pretty funny. GO BULLS!
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | January 02, 2009 at 01:41 PM
I've heard that some of the older season ticket holders have seats down in lower bowl for small or no donation. It takes a minimum $2000. donation to get in lower section now and face value of seats is $30. I stopped buying mine when they went to $450/seat. This does include green and gold room access. My buddy had to up his donation to move lower in section. I think his seats are sect m row 1 seat17,16,15. They are right behind the courtside seats. Maybe I'll see you there. GO BULLS!
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | January 02, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Steve O'neal: i sit in section D, row 12. that's midcourt. i have had these seats... forever. i do not make any additional donation to the athletic department other than the cost of my two seats ($591.00). i agree that Syracuse will probably have more fans there than we do. i am prepared to make enough noise to drown them out. i have a dream: we win the game.
Posted by: Bull Hooper | January 02, 2009 at 01:10 PM
The seats in the lower half of the 2nd level require a donation to the athletic department. I still think that if the seats aren't sold to season ticket holder that nthey should be sold on game by game basis. I'll be there because a buddy of mine gave me 2 2nd row courtside seats that include green and gold room access(free food, beer and wine before the game). It certainly makes it more bearable. I think that syracuse will have a large crowd there.
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | January 02, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Reality is smoking the wack toback.
Sold out arena?? HA!
3/4ths of the fans are cuse.
Reality needs to put down the Seton Hall media guide and wake up.
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | January 02, 2009 at 12:34 PM
we WHOOPED these guys last year. can we do it again? i will be there.
Posted by: Bull Hooper | January 02, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Correct Al. I'm exchanging my 8 free tickets for my couch and HD TV tonight. I went to the opening game and after paying $20 for 4 tickets they sat me half way up in the second level and there was no one there! With as sparse as the games are it should be fist come first serve with second level seating.
Posted by: lmiusf | January 02, 2009 at 11:21 AM
They gave away vouchers which may be exchanged (space available)for level 3 seats (roof huggers)) for tickets.
Many if not most who got them have little to no interest in Bulls basketball and are unlikely to make the trek to the Dome. To others, watching the game on TV is better than sitting up near the top of the dome.
IMO, The odds are in favor of S'cuse having more fans in the dome tonight than the Bulls.
Posted by: Al | January 02, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Close to a sold-out arena? Reality, where are you hearing that from?
Posted by: G.A. | January 02, 2009 at 10:54 AM
To bad transfers are the only way Coach Heath can get quality players to to attend USF. If this guy doesn't mind playing in front of high school size crowds, then he may decide to play for the bulls. It really is hard to watch these guys play. I tried to give my free tickets away, no one would take them. I wish them luck and hope Heath turns things around, I just don't have the time to watch any more bad b-ball.
Posted by: Carl | January 02, 2009 at 10:49 AM
He was VERY good at the ABCD camp, and it was a great pickup by Thad. He would be the best player USF has in their upcoming class by a longshot.
Let's get it done.
Tonight should have close to a sold out arena. How many thousands of tickets did they give away?
Posted by: Reality | January 02, 2009 at 10:05 AM
LEts hope for a big crowd so we can impresss this recruit. As I stated earlier he was recruited by some impressive schools and would be a real help next year. You need a good point guard to win in college bball.
Posted by: | January 02, 2009 at 09:29 AM
I won't be there--out of town. The argument will be that he can be on the ground floor of building something, that he'll be able to play and perhaps start immediately, and do so with an excellent coach at a decent school.
Posted by: Ken | January 02, 2009 at 09:01 AM
I wonder how many will be at game tonight. The sparse crowds will surely impress the kid.
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | January 02, 2009 at 07:13 AM