Kent St vs South Florida preview and gamethread

[Vega]

South Florida Bulls host Kent State at Sun Dome

Stan Heath knows a thing or two about Kent State having coached there earlier this decade, and he'll have his South Florida Bulls ready to win and cover at home on Wednesday.

USF head coach Stan Heath faces his old school when the Kent State Golden Flashes trek south on Wednesday to the Sun Dome.

Dominique JonesHeath was at the helm of the Golden Flashes in 2001-02, his first head coaching position. He led KSU to the NCAA Tournament with a 30-6 record, one of Heath’s three appearances in The Dance, as the Flashes advanced all the way to the Elite 8. For the accomplishment, Heath was named 2002 MAC Coach of the Year, CBSSportsline.com, CollegeInsider.com and National Rookie Coach of the Year.

At Kent State, Heath produced one MAC Defensive Player of the Year in Demetric Shaw and three All-MAC selections in Trevor Huffman, Andrew Mitchell and Antonio Gates.

The Bulls are led by Dominque Jones who was an all tournament at the recently concluded Charleston Classic, Jones led the Bulls to a third-place finish with a stellar game against UNC Wilmington. Along with his season-high 28 points, he had six steals, three assists and four rebounds.

With 74 points against North Carolina Wilmington, USF broke out of the 60s after scoring in the 60’s in their first four games of the season. The Bulls are outshooting opponents 47.7 to 39.5 percent from the field and 31.3 to 22.2 percent from long range.

The Bulls have also out-rebounded their five opponents 175-165 and have 16 more assists and eight more steals than their foes. Three Bulls are averaging double-digit points and at least six rebounds per game including in Jones.

Kent State’s “bread and butter†guy is senior guard Tyree Evans. He’s one of the top pure shooters in the country and has connected on 41 percent from downtown this season. Junior guard Rodriguez Sherman has had at least 15 points and four assists in four straight games.

Since allowing a season high 87 points in an overtime loss to Green Bay on Nov. 15, the Kent State defense has given up just 52.5 ppg the last two contests.

South Florida enters tonight’s game with a 4-1 (SU and ATS). Kent State is also 4-1 overall but 2-2 vs. the number. The Bulls resume includes a road victory at SMU and a neutral court victory over Davidson. The Golden Flashes have played just one lined game and that was a loss to Samford in the season opener.

Kent State is looking for its best start in school history but it figures to be tough for the Golden Flashes to accomplish. First there’s the travel as KSU is playing in the state of Florida for just the second time in school history. Secondly the Bulls have played a much tougher schedule to open the season.

It seems like an easy call to make. Take South Florida and lay the eight points. It’s a very good possibility that Jones and the Bulls will take care of business tonight.

[Vega]

GAME NOTES: The South Florida Bulls will host the Kent State Golden Flashes this evening in a non-league affair at the Sun Dome.

The Golden Flashes have won four of their first five games this season, and come into this contest riding a two-game winning streak. The last time KSU was in action, the team grabbed a convincing, 63-44 decision over Rochester College. Tonight begins a four-game road swing for the Flashes, who finished last year with a mere 5-9 mark on the road.

Just like the Flashes, the Bulls have won four of their first five games, and head into this matchup fresh off a 74-66 victory over UNC-Wilmington. Tonight's matchup is the first of five straight home games for South Florida, which finished last season with a mediocre 7-7 mark at home.

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools on the hardwood.

The Flashes come into this contest allowing teams to shoot 45.6 percent from the field, but that has only translated into 64.6 ppg. At the other end of the floor the team is producing a solid 72.0 ppg, and on top of the strong play offensively, the team is also outrebounding the opposition by 6.6 rpg. Pacing the team in scoring thus far has been Sherman Rodriquez, who is averaging 14.8 ppg, to go along with a team-high 19 assists. Tyree Evans is contributing 12.8 ppg on the year, while Justin Greene is netting 12.2 ppg. The last time KSU was in action the team put forth another stingy defensive effort, as the team held Rochester to just 44 points. Offensively the Flashes shot 42.1 percent from the floor, but connected on just 2-of-11 attempts from long range and only 13-of-28 attempts from the foul line. Rodriquez led the way once again for KSU, as the guard tallied 15 points. Anthony Simpson posted a double- double of 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win, while Mike McKee also chipped in 12 points.

Just like the Flashes, the Bulls have played solid defense in the early stages of this season, limiting opponents to just 60.6 ppg behind a lackluster 39.5 percent shooting effort. Offensively the team is being paced by Dominique Jones who is not only leading South Florida with 19.4 ppg, but has also posted team-highs in assists (24) and steals (14). Jones is also pulling down 7.2 rpg which is second best to Augustus Gilchrist, who is collecting 7.6 rpg, to go along with 19.0 ppg. In the team's recent win over UNC-Wilmington, the Bulls were once again led by Jones, who poured in 28 points. Gilchrist added 14 points and six rebounds, while Jarrid Famous chipped in 13 points.

Both teams have done well defensively, but the Bulls possess a dangerous tandem in Jones and Gilchrist that should lead South Florida to another win.

http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/basketball/ncaab/game/KentSt_SouthFlorida/2009/11/25

[Vega]

Watch the game here

http://www.channelsurfing.net/

[MechanicalBull]

Watch the game here

http://www.channelsurfing.net/

You da man!

[Vega]

Looks like Jerrid Famous is having a knee issue. He hurt it in the game against UNCW after dunking. He has a sleeve on it after limping through practice the last couple of days.

This is not the news we need right now. Famous has to be 100% or else big trouble for USF.

[Vega]

Watch the game here

http://www.channelsurfing.net/

You da man!

So True ;D

[IHuckItDeep]

Looks like Jerrid Famous is having a knee issue. He hurt it in the game against UNCW after dunking. He has a sleeve on it after limping through practice the last couple of days.

This is not the news we need right now. Famous has to be 100% or else big trouble for USF.

man we really do need famous....not good

[IHuckItDeep]

that channel surfing thing is sick....great find vega

[Vega]

The ball movement is super right now and they are rebounding like a Big East team suppose to. They are starting to drag a little and now would be a good time to get some subs in the game.

[Vega]

Looks like Jerrid Famous is having a knee issue. He hurt it in the game against UNCW after dunking. He has a sleeve on it after limping through practice the last couple of days.

This is not the news we need right now. Famous has to be 100% or else big trouble for USF.

man we really do need famous....not good

Yeah he's looking good right now.