USF's Loss Leaves `Sickening' Feeling

[S p e n c e]

USF's Loss Leaves `Sickening' Feeling

By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: Feb 17, 2005

HOUSTON - Upon returning to the bench for the start of the second half, South Florida senior guard Brian Swift couldn't hold it in any longer.

Swift vomited on the court near USF's bench and then threw up in a trash can behind the bench.

Swift's vomiting was caused by a severe cough and flu-like symptoms he has had since Friday. However, it easily could have resulted from watching the Bulls' uninspired play in Wednesday's 68-50 loss at Houston.

After throwing up during the game, Swift really let it fly afterward.

``It was sickening how we played,'' said Swift, who had eight points in 36 minutes. ``It's sad right now. I honestly don't feel like we have enough guys that want it. It's hard to win with three or four guys. I don't think as a team we came out tough enough and wanted to win this game as a collective whole. We didn't want to win this game.

``As a collective team we don't win or go out and play consistently as a whole. We just don't do it. It's sad because it's February and it's almost March and we're still having this conversation.''

Swift isn't the only senior frustrated by the Bulls' play.

``This hurts, it really does,'' said forward Terrence Leather, who led USF with 17 points and 10 rebounds. ``Five years, you know, five years, I've never smiled here at USF. You look for something to make you smile, to get back on the season. You dedicate your whole summer in the weight room, on the court, in the gym, trying to set an example to get to this point to be smiling now.

``It's like Brian said ... I might be saying all the right things, I might be saying all the wrong things.

``We came out like we didn't want it. Like it meant more to them than it did to us. You can look at the score and tell. Physically we weren't tough enough tonight, plain and simple.''

The Cougars (16-10, 7-5 Conference USA) needed only 10 minutes to grab a double- digit lead and coasted from there. UH scored 31 points off 22 USF turnovers.

``I understand [swift's] frustrations and how he can feel that way,'' USF coach Robert McCullum said. ``He's a senior. He wants things to be as important to everyone on the team as they are to him, and I respect that.''

If the final score wasn't bad enough for the Bulls (10-13, 3-9), it got worse when they learned East Carolina upset UAB on Wednesday. The Pirates (3-9 C-USA), Tulane (3-8) and USF are battling to reach the C-USA Tournament. One of the three will not make it.

Although the game had long been decided, two plays summed up the Bulls' night. With three minutes remaining, James Holmes was ahead of Houston's defense on an uncontested layup - and fell down. Then with two seconds left, Marius Prekevicius missed an open layup.

Swift, considered the Bulls' leader, said he is tired of trying to inspire the majority of his teammates.

``It's got to register in their mind, `We can't do it without you, without everybody on the team,' '' Swift said. ``It just can't be two or three guys getting it done, or one guy. It can't be like that every night. It has to be five other people stepping up and giving us something. That's what we don't have right now.''

http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGBX10FIA5E.html

[RobdF]

I sure hope some of the younger guys feel the same as Swift and Leather.  I'm not sure they do.

I mean Swift is sick, Leather and Bryant are recovering from the flu, and we get 6 points from the reserves?!

Oh and Swift, Leather and Bryant play 36, 32 and 32 minutes?  I know we're not deep, but it seems someone would be ready to make a contribution in the 23rd game of the year.

Local folks, am I missing something?

[beastiebull]

Swift's words say a lot about RMC's recruits and RMC's coaching.  Per Swift he is not able to motivate the players HE HIMSELF recruited.  I feel bad for Leather/Bryant/Swift.  This is not what they signed up for when they agreed to come to USF.

[BullDoug]

I had that coughing flu.  I missed three days work.  In 12.5 yrs on my current job I've never missed more than two days in a row for sickness.  The two 2 day sicknesses were for strep throat twice.  That coughing flu is a nasty sickness.  I coughed my arse off for two days straight.

As for Leather, I don't feel sorry for him.  He's had to many disciplinary problems and he should have been in the wt. room every spring & summer.