In Game The TBP Official In Game Thread: WBB #8 Bulls vs #1 South Carolina Gamecocks- Rd 2 NCAA L 76-45

[MikeG]

Game 34

South Florida Bulls

(27-6, 15-1 AAC Champs)

 

vs

 

#1 South Carolina Gamecocks

(33-0, SEC Champs)

 

       vs. 

Sunday, March 19   1:00 PM EST

 

Columbia, SC     Colonial Life Arena

TV: ABC

Radio: USF Bulls Unlimited

 

•  

Edited March 18, 2023 by MikeG

[MikeG]

Hard-Nosed Carla Brito Helps to Lead the Bulls into the Spotlight on Sunday Against Top-Seeded and Undefeated South Carolina

March 18, 2023

Story Links

GAME 34 | 2023 NCAA DIVISION I WBB TOURNAMENT | 2ND RD. | COLUMBIA, S.C.
Watch Live | Listen Live | NCAA Tournament Page | Interactive Bracket
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Online: ABC | ESPN3 ($)                                      
Courtney Lyle (PxP), Carolyn Peck (Color)
Audio: Bulls Unlimited (TuneIn App/GoUSFBulls.com)
Darek Sharp (PxP)
Live Stats: GoUSFBulls.com
Series: First meeting
Twitter Updates: @USFWBB
Tickets: NCAATickets.com
 
(8) RV/24 USF BULLS | 27-6
Last Game: March 17 vs. (9) Marquette, W, 67-65 (ot)
Next Game: March 25 at Sweet 16 (If. nec.)
Head Coach: Jose Fernandez
Alma Mater: FIU, 1994
Career Record: 443-291 (23rd season)
at South Florida: Same
 
(1) 1/1 South Carolina Gamecocks | 33-0            
Last Game: March 17 vs. Norfolk State, W, 72-40
Next Game: March 25 at Sweet 16 (If. nec.)
Head Coach: Dawn Staley
Alma Mater: Virginia, 1992
Career Record: 571-185 (23rd season)
at South Carolina: 399-105 (15th season)
 
By Joey Johnston
 
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 18, 2023) – If you want to know about USF women's basketball freshman forward Carla Brito — a largely unheralded catalyst behind the No. 8-seeded Bulls (27-6), who face the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks (33-0) in Sunday's NCAA Tournament second-round game at Columbia, South Carolina — there are many statistical categories to examine.
 
Brito can certainly score (8.6 average and 13 double-figure performances, including a 26-pointer in her sixth college game).
 
She can rebound (5.8 average).
 
She's an effective passer and defender.
 
All of those qualities came together Friday in USF's 67-65 first-round overtime victory against No. 9 Marquette. Brito had 15 points and nine rebounds while going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. She also had the most challenging defensive assignment, guarding Marquette catalyst and fifth-year senior, Chloe Marotta.
 
But to truly gauge Brito's pulse, you must return to Feb. 22 at the Yuengling Center. That's when a loose ball against Tulsa showed her heart and fire for basketball.
 
Brito dove headlong and blindly whipped the ball behind her, trying to save the possession. But as Brito tumbled over the courtside seats and landed in the first row of fans, the ball was cradled by a Tulsa player. It quickly went the other way — and the Golden Hurricane had a 5-on-4 advantage.
 
Tulsa's shot missed. And then, sprinting into the picture and rising above everyone for the rebound was … the hustling Carla Brito.
 
"I had to get that ball,'' said Brito, a 5-foot-11 forward from Spain.
 
That assertive on-court attitude has translated to Brito's off-court personality. Upon her arrival at USF, she was shy, unsure and tentative, even in the moments when she knew it was time to be forceful. A full season — along with individual and team success — has restored her confidence.
 
"Carla has actually made so much impact on this team,'' Bulls senior guard Elena Tsineke said. "She plays like a veteran, not a freshman. And she's a completely different person from when I first met her to now, way more comfortable. I think one day, she will be the superstar here because she works so hard and she knows that nothing comes without the work.''
 
"She gives us good energy, the defense, boxing out for the rebound, a lot of things that help make the team run,'' said Bulls freshman point guard Marina Asensio, who was Brito's teammate with Spain's under-18 National Team in the 2022 FIBA European Women's Championship. "It's a pleasure to play with Carla because she always gives the effort.''
 
Bulls coach Jose Fernandez was attracted by Brito's versatility — and those qualities have proven to be true at USF.
 
"When you're a freshman, you're big-eyed and you don't know what to expect,'' Fernandez said. "I think Carla has made great adjustments because people get tape on you and they force you into different things. Carla has show she can run the floor in transition, finish around the basket, move the ball, keep her guy off the glass. It's her first year — and in a different country — but she's off to a great start.''
 
Brito is from Fuerteventura, Spain, part of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, about 60 miles off the northwestern coast of Africa. It's the land of sandy white beaches and turquoise waters. Brito walked to the beach from her home, practically every day, so Tampa's tropical lifestyle seems comforting.
 
"I knew USF had a lot of success with international players and Coach Jose spoke Spanish … so there were a lot of reasons to feel comfortable here,'' Brito said with a smile. "But you never know until you get on the court. I've been happy with it. I think I have the skills to do everything, so I'm happy that I could contribute to this team.
 
"I'm feeling good about my role. I am always trying to get better. The comfort level is very good.''
 
Brito, who has a twin brother Samuel, said she enjoys everything about USF and Tampa. Early on, she liked going to the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City — a natural for anyone who likes Spanish food — but she has also learned the merits of sushi during outings with her teammates.
 
She's excited to play in the No. 1-ranked Gamecocks at the NCAA Tournament — and even more eager to prepare for what lies ahead in her USF future.
 
"There are moments when Carla has shown the ability to take over the game,'' USF assistant head coach Danny Hughes said. "She has the skills and instincts you just can't teach. Whatever happens — whether it's good or bad — she has the same face.
 
"She doesn't seem like a young kid. She's just getting started, but she looks like she belongs. That's a great thing to build around for now and for next season.''

[Sk00b]

33-0!? Geez. Go Bulls! Make it 33-1!

[79 Bull]

This would be the miracle of all miracles!  33-0 is crazy.  We never beat UConn in 31 games, even with a better Bulls team and when they had a couple losses.

GO BULLS!

[olafberserker]

[Triple B]

CJF invoking "Hoosiers". Love it ....

The Bulls Are Set for Their Biggest Opportunity in Program History - USF Athletics

---

South Florida looks forward to its big challenge against top-seeded South Carolina in NCAA Second Round.

By Joey Johnston
 
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 19, 2023) – While setting the stage for the biggest challenge — and the biggest opportunity — of his women's basketball coaching career, USF's Jose Fernandez channeled his inner Norman Dale.
 
As the No. 8-seeded USF Bulls (27-6) prepare for Sunday's NCAA Tournament second-round showdown against the prohibitive favorite No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks (33-0), the stakes might seem overwhelming.
 
Or simple.
 
"This is one of the best atmospheres in college basketball,'' Fernandez said. "But as a coach, hopefully you talk about 94 feet by 50 feet (court's length and width) and 10 feet (height of the rims) and just take care of what's going to happen on the floor.''
 
Norman Dale, of course, wasn't real. He was a coaching character that led the improbable small-town state-championship basketball team in "Hoosiers,'' a 1986 big-screen film that never fails to evoke the anything-is-possible emotions.
 
USF-South Carolina is VERY real. It will play out before what's expected to be a large crowd at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina and a nationwide audience on ABC-TV, which doesn't require a monthly subscription fee or a cable hookup. The Bulls will play before every basketball-loving fan who has a workable television (and maybe some rabbit ears).
 
South Carolina, coached by Hall of Famer Dawn Staley, a three-time Olympic gold medalist who now stars in Aflac commercials, is the defending national champion. Dating to the 2020-21 season, the Gamecocks have won 75 of their last 77 games (the defeats were both last season, a two-pointer and a one-pointer in overtime). Their 33 victories this season have been by an average 30.1-point margin (26.1-point margin in SEC games) and only five were in single digits.
 
The Gamecocks are led by three-time unanimous first-team All-American Aliyah Boston, a 6-foot-5 post player who was the 2022 National Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Tournament.
 
But the Bulls are no slouch. USF, the American Athletic Conference regular-season champion, has tied the program record for single-season victories and can reach its first Sweet 16.
 
USF relies on 6-4 senior center Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (16.8 points, 12.4 rebounds), 5-7 senior guard Elena Tsineke (17.8 points) and 6-1 wing Sammie Puisis (15.8 points, 89.3 free-throw percentage, 101 made 3-pointers), along with 5-11 freshman forward Carla Brito (8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds).
 
Fankam Mendjiadeu vs. Boston figures to be a matchup to watch inside the paint.
 
"She (Fankam Mendjiadeu) posts up so strong,'' Staley said. "She's very, very active on both sides of the basketball. She's unafraid. She wants the ball and she does a really good job at scoring — she's very efficient when her two feet are in the paint. She runs the floor extremely well. There are a lot of similarities (between her and Boston) and they will command a lot of attention.''
 
Fernandez acknowledged the importance of Fankam Mendjiadeu, but said it will require a balanced attack to upset the Gamecocks.
 
"The team that beats these guys (Gamecocks), a lot of things have to happen,'' Fernandez said. "Got to shoot the ball well from the free-throw line. Got to score in transition. We have three really, really good (players) who are going to have to be special. They must play up to their standard. That's how these things happen.
 
"What concerns me (about South Carolina) is their size and their rebounding ability because sometimes their best offense is getting it off the glass and putting it in. How are we going to collectively defend the paint, limit their paint touches and also their second and third opportunities?''
 
Fernandez said he doesn't believe intimidation will be a factor. The Bulls defeated nationally ranked foes Texas and Arkansas, while also taking on the likes of NC State, Ohio State and Villanova. Last season, the Bulls defeated Oregon and Stanford, while taking Tennessee and UConn down to the wire.
 
"We take it as a great opportunity,'' Puisis said. "I look at it as they have all the pressure on them. It's March. Anything can happen. We're going to do what we do and see what happens.''
 
"We have nothing to lose,'' Brito said. "It's going to be a good fight.''
 
Staley showed great respect to USF's program. She remembered the Bulls from last season's NCAA field — also in Columbia, a first-round defeat against Miami — and was impressed by the Bulls' 67-65 comeback overtime victory against No. 9 Marquette on Friday.
 
"It's cool to watch them,'' Staley said. "You could see their culture. You could see their connectivity. You could see how well they play together. You don't win a game like they won (Friday) without having that because they were down the entire game. But yet, you never saw frustration. You just saw them keep grinding it out.''
 
Much more grinding will be necessary on Sunday afternoon.
 
It's not a movie. It's real life. For what it's worth, the court will still be 94 feet by 50 feet. The rims are still 10 feet high. And it's March. Anything can — and does — happen (just ask No. 16-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson on the men's side).
 
Yes, it's a huge challenge.
 
But, oh, what a huge opportunity.'
 
 

Edited March 19, 2023 by MikeG

[Sk00b]

Lol ESPN. Not even a mention of USF when talking about the game today.

[belgianbull]

Whatever happens today the basketball ladies had a great season. Don't have anything to lose today; so I hope we see their best game; win or lose.

[MikeG]

[Bullumni]

Looks like we are holding our own for the first 5 min