SilverBull

Did 3 game trips last year but probably will pass this year. The only roadie sites I haven't taken in are Tulsa and Cinci and they are calling to me that much.

A little overhyped maybe but it is what you make of it. Went for the first AAC men's basketball tourney there. I enjoyed Sun Studio, lots of good blues and music museums, Gus' Fried Chicken and some pretty good bbq. Just don't count on finding a vegetable anywhere, at least not one that isn't fried.

Seems they kissed and made up afterward though. Duke Clemson ACC game: David Collins ejected following play | Charlotte Observer

Don't know what is true. I know there were a lot of internal issues with USF MBB under Stan (deja vu all over again). That said, almost every player I ever talked to who missed out on achieving their NBA dream had some other coach, team, school, etc. to blame. When Charlie Bradley didn't make it, then I knew it was a tough get.

That is bad. Hate to see that. I had a friend and teammate hospitalized on a play just like that when I played. I was the first off of the bench (my usual position) in the intersquad rumble that followed. Unleashed the full fury of my 145 pounds of twisted steal and sex appeal on the offender. As for Collins, I always thought he was a bit of an enigma. When he was good, he could be really good but when he wasn't, he could be abysmal. I haven't really kept up but from the stat sheet it looks as though he has been so-so with Clemson.

This thread makes me truly sad no matter how I read it.

That was a real and exciting college basketball game (sometimes, being a USF fan, you forget what those look like). SMU had former President Bush on its sideline and got the "W'." Congrats to them.

They are and it is good to see. Takes me back. A long time ago I was in Eugene, Oregon, where track and field is revered. I was wearing a USF shirt and someone approached me and said simply, with a smile, "Jimmy Baxter." You may recall, who did double duty with his spectacular dunks on the bball court, also was a three-time All-America high jumper who placed third in the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Championships and had a school record high of 7 feet 5 inches.

Odds are that it'll be the same this year. https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/florida-football/florida-ties-record-for-hottest-game-ever-played-at-the-swamp/ Yes, we have the opportunity this year to break the tie for dubious honor of being hottest games ever played in the Swamp.

Probably a good idea. And maybe leave early. Last time in that ghastly swamp I was battling a lung infection and it was so hot that I had to help my buddy to the car at halftime. Think I'll watch from my air-conditioned couch this time.

Yes, I read a lot also. Mostly puc86 tomes extolling the virtues of all things USF athletics and praise heaped upon him by fellow philosophers.

Yeah, haven’t been to the movie theater in years, not a great selling point. Yeah, I used to be a big cinema buff but those days ended when I bought a house which, almost as an afterthought, had an existing home theater room. Now, I haven't been out to a movie in more than two years. I just replaced the 15-year-old projector in my home theater, upgrading to 4K UHD and the picture is pretty awesome (even though my tech guy says any day now I will need to upgrade to 8K). But with the onset of the plague, UHD first-run movies being released directly streaming to my home with its big screen, reclining theater seats, theater popcorn popper, candy and snack bar, bathroom less than a 20-minute walk away and a less sticky floor (if only slightly) I can't see me trekking to the local multiplexes anytime soon.

To be fair and clear, I can't remember too many that any of our past coaches have recruited either. Everyone we ever play seems to be able to get shooters but not us. I think it's the humidity.

Maybe Radenko Dobras can tag along and show him where to look.

On this one, I have to side with the Negative Nellies. I personally really like Gregory and thought we had something building when we finished strong and won the ***** Pill CBI Championship, which now seems like eons ago. While I wouldn't wish the circumstances that have happened since on any coach, it does seem as though the men's team is just floundering and that there is no plan or clear vision for a path forward. We have seen a half century of USF basketball with not much to show for it and no real hope for forward progress. I remember when the coming of Lee Rose and construction of the Sun Dome were going to be the launching pad for future success. I also remember back when then Head Coach Stan Heath was talking at the dedication Muma Basketball Center that he said, with that facility and the renovated Yuengling Center, USF men's basketball would have "no excuses" for not succeeding. We are now into our third coach since those remarks were made and excuses remain about all we have left with this program. I am a longtime fan, was a longtime season ticket holder, supporter and actively engaged booster and am still a donor but this is just really sad. I now rarely watch any games and am growing more distanced from and disenchanted with supporting this team. I pray that, unbeknownst to me, there are some active plans and efforts afoot among the administration, coaches, boosters and current players to turn this ship around.

Not in our schedule so I do not know.

Went that route back a few years ago and really enjoyed, for the most part, but was wondering how those tourneys have been/were affected by Covid? Quite frankly, COVID has not changed things all that much at tourneys around here (particularly in Tennessee, where they apparently haven't heard of it). They are still packed with teams and spectators. Went to a big tournament last year Sevierville during the pre-vaccine high-water mark of the curve. The place was pretty much standing room only on the floor and my wife and I were the only ones I saw wearing masks, even though we headed to the rafter seating to avoid close contact with the crowds. That said, we have had quite a few players who have had to miss games and enter the protocols because of contracting COVID. I guess it like anything in life, you make your choices, you pays your money and you take your chances.

While I totally understand the frustration and complaints about the overall trajectory of our athletics programs over the years, I don't see how beaching and moaning about it incessantly (particularly on a fan message board) will accomplish anything of substance. The occasional off-the-rails rant to release some steam is sometimes helpful and cathartic. But if you want to constantly complain I think it should be directed squarely to the administration responsible for oversight of those programs and, if possible, with suggestions, efforts and/or $$$ to help improve the situation.

I used to love watching both women's and men's beach volleyball back in the day, particularly on Clearwater Beach. Karch Kiraly, Sinjin Smith, Tim Hovland, Mike Dodd and other beasts of the beach made the '80s remarkable. I also am so old that dirt taunts me with "OK Boomer!" My days of ogling women players has long passed. However, I was fortunate enough and robbed the cradle to marry a former D-1 college volleyball player. Now I get my kicks watching my teenage daughter on the indoor volleyball courts all around the Carolinas and bordering states.

Cool to see Cobb walk-on from the backyard of my former Tampa home and whose dad was a player from my current (part-time) Florida hometown of Gulf Breeze (go Dolphins!) Wish all the recruits the very best and hope heart, desire and talent are all strong in all of them.

Why in strip clubs alone Tampa should be able to round up some pretty strong NIL sponsors. Also, why not get Publix to sponsor the backup players and call them the "Publix Subs."

Unless we are going to reduce or eliminate some men's sports, fielding a competitive gymnastics team would probably be cost prohibitive for USF. https://collegegymnews.com/2021/12/14/differences-in-budgets-mean-differences-in-reality-in-ncaa-gymnastics/ By comparison women's beach volleyball should be much less expensive and the number of colleges adding beach volleyball is growing pretty rapidly. I understand there are only six scholarships per team and the investment in facilities, equipment, etc., at least initially, is relatively low. Also, when you are located in Florida you can keep travel costs low. There are already a number of colleges in the state with beach volleyball programs vs. only one gymnastics program of which I am aware (UF) and being in Florida you can easily attract teams from other areas to come play in your back yard. Plus, there should already be local interest and a talent pool in beach volleyball. It seems to me adding beach volleyball is a good move and pretty much a no brainer.

I am on 50+ years of a pretty steady diet of losing as a Bulls fan. I now have come to expect it like the sunrise. But, at my age, there is always the possibility that either could end at any time, so I just keep enjoying the ride.

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Maybe Bucs can swing a deal with the FCF Beasts to bring Quinton Flowers home.