Ken over at SB Nation South Florida blog, Voodoo Five, was kind enough to answer some questions for this week's South Florida game. Check out his site for my answers to his questions.
1. This season has obviously not been what Bulls' fans hoped for. Are there any positives to take away from this year?
Well for chemistry sake 7 of our top 8 players are back next season including our entire starting lineup. News that the Sun Dome is being renovated after the game Wednesday. Our new practice facility under construction as we speak which is nice I guess. That's about it.
2. What players have made strides this year that you're looking forward to seeing in 2011-12?Jawanza Poland looks like he has the ability to be an All-Big East player. He redshirted last year at Hutchinson JC, and at times can get into foul trouble quickly but he is one of the best athletes that I can remember wearing a USF jersey. He also likes to do this if you leave the lane open for him.
Ron Anderson Jr. does all the little things you want from a big man. He is always at the right spot for rebounds, he doesn't mind setting a hard pick, he takes a charge well, and he hustles back in transition. If Augustus Gilchrist wants to play like he did against DePaul all next year I won't complain. We've been waiting to see this type of play all season, and he finally pulls it out against DePaul in the 29th game of the year.
3. What is the greatest area of need for USF as they head into the offseason?
Point guard play. We can't break the press if our lives depended on it, and even 30 games into the season, a simple entry pass to our post makes me cringe. There are a couple of PG prospects that are considering USF, but until one commits to Coach Heath, I won't feel good about next season as well.
4. USF really gave Pitt a pretty good game the first time around and they shot nearly 50% in that game. What were some things that the team did to stay competitive in that game at the Pete?
It helped that the team went 6-13 from behind the arc. Shaun Noriega had half of those, and has done pretty well for himself in the 2nd half of the year. You'll know what you're getting from Noriega when he sends his first three in the air, and lately his shot looks great. Only turning the ball over 14 times helped as well. Normally against a team of your caliber, we turn the ball over 20 times easily.
I was shocked at how poorly we rebounded the ball, when we consider that one of our strengths of the team. Pitt had 15 offensive rebounds and USF only had 17 boards in the entire game.
5. What kind of turnout is expected for the game on Wednesday? Do fans come out in droves for the big time teams or is it tough to get sellouts?
USF drew 6000+ to the Dome against Georgetown, which is almost unheard of for a non Syracuse/Notre Dame/Marquette game. It is Senior Night, and the last home game of the year, so I would at least expect a decent student turnout. I'd expect somewhere in the 4500-5000 range.
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