BasketBULLS Open Practice this weekend

[Brad]

Courtesy USF SID Office

USF MEN’S BASKETBALL

BULLS OPEN PRACTICE THIS WEEKEND; 2006-07 OFFICIALLY BEGINS

exhibition versus saint leo nov. 6 rapidly approaching

Tampa, Fla. (October 12, 2006) – The University of South Florida men’s basketball program officially begins practice this weekend for the rapidly approaching 2006-07 campaign, the team’s second in the BIG EAST Conference.

“All coaches and players look forward to the beginning of practice and the official start of the season,” head coach Robert McCullum said.  Ã¢â‚¬Å“We have tried to get the team to look forward to preparation and not just the games.  This approach will most certainly lead to rewards as the season progresses.”

USF opens workouts Friday night at 7 p.m. and will conduct morning and afternoon sessions both Saturday and Sunday.  All practices are scheduled to take place in The Corral, located in the Sun Dome.  All practices throughout the course of the year are open to the public, but times and locations are subject to change.

Following a closed scrimmage versus another collegiate program, the Bulls will host Saint Leo on Nov. 6 in exhibition action.  The regular-season opener comes Nov. 13 at home against Buffalo, the first of five-straight in the Sun Dome to begin 2006-07.  

“We had a productive offseason conditioning program,” McCullum said.  Ã¢â‚¬Å“The mental toughness it develops will help us deal with the adversity encountered as the season progresses.”

The Bulls return three starters and four letterwinners from last season’s squad, including senior forwards Melvin Buckley and McHugh Mattis.  Both players finished among the league leaders in several statistical categories in 2005-06 and return among the BIG EAST’s best this season.

“Entering our second season in the BIG EAST, we have a better understanding of what it takes to compete at this level,” McCullum said.  Ã¢â‚¬Å“Our hope is that the returning players are able to share their experiences with the newcomers.”

[outrunner]

NO MIDNIGHT MADNESS > :( :'(