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The Big Picture
There is no doubt that
coach Stan Heath has upgraded the talent at USF in his first two seasons. Another strong recruiting class for 2009-10
means the Bulls' improvement should continue, but Heath wants that improvement
to translate into more than four BIG EAST victories, which was USF's total last
season. The Bulls can build around guard
Dominique Jones, who is one of the conference's top players. Only one full-time starter was lost from last
year.
Who's Back
Jones easily led
the team in scoring last year with an 18.1 average. The junior is also a top-notch 3-point
threat. He reached double figures in
scoring in the last 20 games of the season.
Jones also was first in rebounding (5.6), second in assists (3.9) and
led the league in minutes played per game (37.5). Forward Augustus Gilchrist is another
returning double-figure scorer. He
averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 boards as a freshman after becoming eligible at
the end of the first semester. Steady
senior Chris Howard returns at point guard after averaging 7.7 points and 4.1
assists. Forward Alex Rivas, another
senior, made 14 starts last year and averaged 4.2 points and 4.7 rebounds. Guard Justin Leemow (1.6) started eight games
last season as a freshman.
Who's Missing
Guard Jesus Verdejo
averaged 12.2 points and was a solid contributor. The following three forwards started either
11 or 12 games last season. Mobolaji
Ajayi averaged 3.7 points and 4.7 boards.
Aris Williams averaged 2.9 points and 3.4 rebounds. Eladio Espinosa averaged 1.8 points and 2.9
rebounds.
Storylines
As the program
grows in talent, Heath may have to fiddle less with his starting lineup. Jones and Howard make up an effective
starting backcourt with Leemow as a backup.
The guard corps will be even deeper with the addition of Anthony Crater,
an Ohio State transfer who will be eligible at
the end of the first semester, and freshmen Jordan Dumars, Mike Burwell and
Shaun Noriega. Also, guard Mike Mercer
is back from a team suspension.
Six-eleven junior college transfer Jarrid Famous is the most acclaimed
of the newcomers. He will team with
Gilchrist in the frontcourt. Rivas
returns to help in the low post.
Six-eight freshman Toarlyn Fitzpatrick will push to be noticed in the
frontcourt.
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