BullyPulpit

29 minutes ago, hightechbull said:

We scalped FSU and have a better overall record, yet they are ranked higher than USF.

You are high tech, I am sure you can figure out why. 

5 minutes ago, Jim Johnson said:

"Lost to CMU, UMass and Maine | Beat Memphis, UAB and Charlotte"...    (Or "beat FAU" if that happens next week)

Maybe Loyola Chicago, FSU and UNI will win out??? That is really what we need at this point. 

6 minutes ago, Boomer said:

From ESPN regarding our matchup with Rice  

LAST 10 GAMES: Owls: 3-7, averaging 72.4 points, 34.1 rebounds, 15.3 assists, 5.6 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 79.7 points per game.

Bulls: 9-1, averaging 74.1 points, 35.3 rebounds, 14.9 assists, 6.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.2 points.

Looks like our defense has been the real difference between our teams over the last 10 games. 

Defense is almost always the difference. Our D was elite in 2011-2012. This team has that winning mentality. USF trailed by 11 points to Rice with 13:40 left to go in the game and came back to win by 8. That preceded the giant 20 point comeback against Memphis. When you know the game is never out of reach it creates the necessary mindset to mount the comeback. 

1 hour ago, Professor BullDawg said:

FAU was a big discussion point for this one. Quoted below:

 

”A common question in our sprint to Selection Sunday is a variation on an annual theme. "Who is this year's Florida Atlantic?" The Owls' overtime loss Thursday at UAB may add to the perception that last year's leading Cinderella is underachieving. Upon closer inspection, however, the opposite is true. FAU's record (18-5) isn't quite where it was a year ago at this time (22-2), but the Owls played a far tougher non-conference schedule (53rd from 298th), are ranked higher (A.P. No. 20 vs. "others receiving votes") and are doing all of it in a better conference. Further, last season's Final Four team had nothing like this year's wins over tourney-bound Arizona, Texas A&M and Butler. All of which leads us to conclude that "this year's Florida Atlantic" may yet be, well, Florida Atlantic.”

Maybe this season's FAU is USF? 

Just saw that Charlotte knocked off #4 Florida State on the road last night 6-5. They are the defending CUSA champs and that was a pretty big statement win to start the season. 

28 minutes ago, Jim Johnson said:

You are correct.

This could also have the most wins ever in conference play and have the best overall record... and the chance to finish as regular season champions for the first time ever. (Best conference finish ever was 2nd, which happened a few times.)  USF is in the 48th season playing basketball in a conference... there have been just 8 winning seasons.

Complete list of USF basketball seasons with conference records above .500 (there have been 3 seasons at .500 in conference play)... in all but one season, the Bulls went to the NCAA or NIT.

1. 2011-12 - 12-6 in Big East [Stan Heath]  (this is also the most wins and best overall record .667)  -- NCAAT
2. 2000-01 - 9-7 in C-USA [Seth Greenberg] -- NIT
3. 1991-92 - 7-5 in Metro [Bobby Paschal] -- NCAAT
4. 1990-91 - 8-6 in Sun Belt [Bobby Paschal] -- NIT
5. 1989-90 - 9-5 in Sun Belt [Bobby Paschal] -- NCAAT
6. 1983-84 - 9-5 in Sun Belt [Lee Rose]
7. 1982-83 - 8-6 in Sun Belt [Lee Rose] -- NIT
8. 1980-81 - 8-5 in Sun Belt [Lee Rose] -- NIT

Hypothetically, if USF wins out that would be 24 wins, which will match the most ever (2018-19 - 24-14 [Brian Gregory]).  One more win in the conference tournament and/or post-season would eclipse that mark.

The best ever overall winning percentage was 1975-76 when USF was an independent and finished 19-8 (.704) [Chip Conner].  The 1982-1983 Lee Rose coached team finished 22-10 (.688) overall.

The 1983-1984 team missed out on the NIT because they lost in the first round of the conference tournament, and the 5th place UAB ended up winning it.  So the Sun Belt sent two teams (reg season champ VCU and tourney champ UAB) to the NCCAT and two more teams to the NIT (2nd place and tourney runner up Old Sominion and 3rd place South Alabama)... all four had better overall records than USF ... leaving USF on the outside.

That 2011-2012 season was fun. To go 12-6 in the Big East far eclipses anything else the program has accomplished. The Bulls were picked to finish 14th in the conference and ended up in a tie for 4th, but was seeded 6th in the tournament due to tiebreakers. That squad upset Cincy and Louisville and took care of business against the bottom half of the conference and barely lost in the conference tournament to Notre Dame in OT, who was the beneficiary of the double-bye (top 4 seeds got the double-bye).The Big East was the second best conference in the country that season. The following teams made the tournament:

#1 Syracuse (31-2), #3 Marquette (25-7), #3 Georgetown (23-8), #4 Louisville (26-9), #6 Cincy (24-10), #7 Notre Dame (22-11), #9 UCONN (21-13), #10 WVU (19-13), #12 (USF) 20-13. 

USF handled Cal easily in the First Four and then thumped Temple in the First Round. They absolutely should have beaten Ohio in the Round of 32 and would have had a chance to go up against UNC in the Sweet 16. Up by 6 at the half, but Ohio got hot from 3 point range. Ahhh, what could have been. 

7 minutes ago, USF_Bullsharks said:

All we've ever needed. It's beautiful. 

Plus softball starting 2-0. 

Plus women's golf winning the first tournament of the season. 

 

I'm fully prepared for baseball to be the sacrificial lamb. If we are awful in baseball I will not be upset at all. (I don't think we will be - but feel with USF's luck, something has to give)

WBB has taken a big step back this season. Losing Puisis for the season certainly didn't help things, but hopefully that is the sacrificial lamb that is needed to pay for the success in the other programs. 
 

Also, baseball was picked to finish 5th in the conference but actually received a first-place vote, presumably from ECU's head coach. At least the coach of the best team in the conference feels like we can compete. 

1 minute ago, GoBulls84 said:

One of the maddening things about CKE's tenure is that we've never been able to consistently put together a great offense. He always manages to find an ace to hold us down for 3-4 years, but the offense has always been inconsistent.

It remains to be seen if we have one of his traditional "aces" on this squad. We struggled through the season last year and Peyton Dixon, while dependable, just isn't a Nevins of Corrick. Belle Sardja is really the wildcard for the rotation this year. She dominated as a JC pitcher and helped lead her team to 2 national titles and was the JC pitcher of the year last season. It will also be interesting to see how the two freshman pitchers develop. The pressure isn't on this squad as they were picked to finish 4th in the conference behind Wichita State, Charlotte, and UNT. 

I am concerned by the lack of offense in the first game. The Sophomore pitcher for Illinois State, Hannah Meshnick, did not have the resume of a pitcher that would hold the Bulls to one hit over 9 innings. She didn't strike out a single batter, so it was likely just a fluke, but time will tell. The bats coming alive against BCC was expected and a welcome sight. The Bulls host Michigan, Oregon State, Florida (#16), and Kansas over the next 4 days. Let's hope we are at least 4-2 on Tuesday. 

Well, last night didn't go totally according to plan. UAB is still very much alive for a top 4 seed after upsetting FAU. That was probably a worst case outcome for the Bulls. It does improve our chance of attaining the regular season conference title. Memphis survived in a hideous game against Temple. Almost 50 fouls combined and some of the worst FT shooting you have ever seen. Made the old USF squads look like Pistol Pete. They remain 3.5 back of us, so we are safely ahead for the time being. They certainly look like a group of talented players that have not been coached up and don't have the it factor. 

Assuming the Bulls continue to take care of business against the lesser competition, the SMU game still looms the largest as far as a top 4 seed is concerned. 

Just now, bullstampede9922 said:

I was kind of surprised when I bought mine that they were sideline for $10, no matter what level, usually sideline is more expensive than the ends.  

I think they were trying to figure out the correct price point. Ultimately, $20 seems fair for GA and the 300 level given the demand for this game. Let's just hope that FAU falling last night doesn't stifle the enthusiasm for this game. The Bulls have to take care of business the next two games for there to be the highest energy and enthusiasm possible. The Rice game tomorrow has me somewhat concerned. 

18 minutes ago, Triple B said:

Until I hear different from someone on the team, I don't think they really give much of a **** about not having a poll ranking. Their focus is controlling the controllables and getting to the "four letter" tourney.

Rankings are just window dressing and pretty much meaningless. This team will get the attention they deserve if they keep winning. 

We are no longer tied with anyone for first place. Let's go take care of business on the road Saturday. Hopefully no emotional letdown after the big win Tuesday night. 

See, I told you they looked beatable! UAB wanted it more. They were scrappy and crashed the boards. This takes a little bit of the shine off of the matchup on February 18. We are now all alone in first place. Can't fall into a trap the next two games. 

I should add that two freshman combined for a no-hitter in the BCC game. 

9 minutes ago, jchem1995 said:

Very scrappy defense. They look to be a difficult task but GO BULLS.

They are undoubtedly a tough squad and the best team we will have faced, by far. Having said that, Charlotte was able to beat them in part thanks to their size. If we can just match them from outside, we can win this one. The players are going to be up amped for this game. The key will be to keep emotions in check and play smart basketball. 

Kasean Pryor has a chance to present FAU with a matchup nightmare. 

It's softball season! CKE and the ladies are off to a good start beating Illinois St. in a pitchers' duel 1-0 in 9 innings. They won while only getting 1 hit. 

The bats came alive in the second game against BCC, winning by mercy rule 10-0 in 5 innings. 

Tomorrow they face a Michigan squad that is receiving top 25 votes. Let's hope for another successful season by the most successful program in USF history. 

Watching FAU v. UAB on ESPN2 and I think we will matchup really well against them. Their big might give us some trouble but they are small everywhere else. Our guys are bigger and stronger, but also fast. We have to defend the 3 well, as FAU likes to take a lot of them. I really hope we take care of business the next two games and the Foam Dome is lit!

Demand must be really high because they just doubled the price for the tickets in the 300 level. They were $10 each and are now $20 each. 

20 minutes ago, BULLSHTR said:

All the ACC needs is ND to finally join in Football and they are stabilized as a top 3 conference, with B12 a distant 4th. I'm having serious doubts that Clemson even wants to leave. All this speculation always comes from B12 homers wishfully thinking out loud. ND joining would net them a great TV deal that everyone would be happy with. Unfortunately, that would probably mean USF does not get invited to the ACC. However, the Big 12 would definitely not think twice at adding to their profile in Florida. Plus... war on I4.

I have a feeling that once FSU is done throwing a tantrum, they'll realize that the ACC is actually their best shot with the expanded 12-team playoff. Also considering that the SEC doesn't need them and the B1G wouldn't want to have another non-AAU Nebraska type team bringing down their academic profile. At least Nebraska was AAU when they joined.

I'm not saying FSU staying in the ACC is impossible, but FSU went scorched Earth against the conference. They made it really hard for either side to save face at this point. 

1 hour ago, USF_Bullsharks said:

FAU is going to be really difficult. Regular season and conference tournament. 

Could be as many as 9,000 at the FAU game.....the homecourt advantage alone will be worth 5 points! 

I am interested in purchasing 2 tickets if anyone is looking to sell. 

2 hours ago, Mike Stuben said:

This is great analysis. You combined two things, and I think we should split them up. 

 

Route: USF at large bid....gotta win just about everything but not the tourney championship game. In this scenario, we want Memphis and FAU to win, to make our wins over them look better. Then for everyone else, we want the teams we play twice to beat the teams we play once. 

Route: USF wins the tournament for automatic bid..... then the double bye is huge, so we want to see teams competing for top 4 to take losses, and if some of them have to win, then we want the ones where we have the tie breaker. 

The hard part, is at times, we want opposite outcomes of other games, depending on our path to the tournament. 

One more loss and the at-large is off the table. 25-6 MIGHT get us into the tournament. Until that loss happens, we cheer for Memphis to continue to win, IMO. If/when we take another loss, then we only worry about the things that will make a top 4 seed more likely. That's the way I am approaching things. 

The goal is to win every game and win the conference title but, at a minimum, the goal for USF should be to finish in the top 4 of the conference (preferably the top 2) and earn the double-bye in the tournament. Playing with fresh legs in the quarterfinals will be a huge advantage. Last season, all 4 of the top 4 seeds advanced to the semis and that was with the single bye in place. As it stands, the most important game remaining on USF's schedule is SMU. A win over the Mustangs would give the Bulls the head-to-head tiebreaker over SMU, UNT, and Memphis. Unfortunately, UAB has the head-to-head tiebreaker over us, but they still have difficult games remaining hosting FAU, UNT, and SMU and going on the road to Memphis. As it stands, we essentially have a 3.5 game cushion over UNT and Memphis by way of the tiebreaker. 

Significant games (bolded team = team to root for):

February 8 

FAU @ UAB - While winning the regular season crown would be nice, getting a top-4 seed is the ultimate goal. From that perspective, we should be cheering for FAU to beat UAB, which would widen our lead over UAB to 2.5 games and make a potential win over FAU look more impressive. 

Memphis @ Temple - USF's hopes for an at-large bid are slim. We already hold a 4 game lead over Memphis. So long as we have a chance to run the table in conference play and get into the at-large conversation, we should be rooting for Memphis to win out. 

February 11

UAB @ Tulsa

Charlotte @ Temple

UNT @ SMU

Tulane @ Memphis