I finally got to go to my first USF Big East basketball game. Sadly, USF basketball has been almost an afterthought for me since moving to California, as the only games I typically get to attend are over the holidays. A few thoughts...
I have to say, I was impressed with the number of Syracuse fans in attendance. Obviously, it would be nice if USF had enough fans showing up to overshadow them, but it sure appeared to be a friendly affair. I was sure the Orange were going to beat the hell out of us after last season, but it was a closer game than I expected. Onuaku looked like a man among boys for the most part, but Lord is he awful from the charity stripe. Why we didn't foul him when you were killing the clock is beyond me.
Overall, USF is still not ready for prime time. However, I suspect we'll knock off another ranked team sometime this season.
USFFan
i was impressed by the team actually, the 2nd half of that game gives me hope that they wont just lay down this season
where were you sitting?
No offense but USF will never be ready for prime time in basketball, too many storied programs to surpass and the recruiting just isn't there.
(01-03-2009 03:37 AM)UCbball21 Wrote: [ -> ]No offense but USF will never be ready for prime time in basketball, too many storied programs to surpass and the recruiting just isn't there.
oh, might as well just throw in the towel then.. i guess ill stop following college basketball
thanks for opening my eyes
(01-03-2009 02:39 AM)BullsBEAST Wrote: [ -> ]i was impressed by the team actually, the 2nd half of that game gives me hope that they wont just lay down this season
where were you sitting?
I managed to get front row tickets (not on the court, but section M, row 1) one seat off the aisle where the Bulls come in/go out. I nearly had the ball that went out of bounds back to USF with 6.2 seconds left come right at me. My son high fived most of the team and Stan Heath as they left.
USFFan
(01-03-2009 03:37 AM)UCbball21 Wrote: [ -> ]No offense but USF will never be ready for prime time in basketball, too many storied programs to surpass and the recruiting just isn't there.
I don't think you can ever say "never." I've seen far too many teams go from obscurity to success in a variety of conferences. Miami restarted their basketball program from nothing in the Big East. And look at what Baylor's done in rising from the ashes. Nothing is impossible.
USFFan
I dont believe that USF's basketball program will ever be a year in, year out basketball power in Big East. But with that said as our football program grows more money will go towards basketball and we will field competitive teams that will challenge the top teams in some years.
But it is FOOTBALL that is king in our state and when USF finally takes that step and wins the Big East championship that will be the big catalyst that will lift our program to next level.
In football I believe USF will eventually develop a national program that will be a consistent top 15 team, in basketball the ceiling is a lot lower
The ceiling in basketball will be lower as long as the fanbase keeps their expectations low. Demand a better product, and the university will deliver - eventually...
A friend who went said SU outnumbered Bulls fans at the game
USF's biggest crowd since UConn in 2006--over 8300 there.
It's kind of self-defeating, isn't it? They won't get fans without success, and they won't experience much success until the fans come to see it...
(01-03-2009 03:37 AM)UCbball21 Wrote: [ -> ]No offense but USF will never be ready for prime time in basketball, too many storied programs to surpass and the recruiting just isn't there.
Never is such a strong word. You could have said the same thing about Miami and VT and Florida and Florida State. Now look at those programs. USF will become a solid program eventually, I am sure of that. Maybe not expecting to be in contention for the BE championship every season, but they will become a solid program. It only takes the right coach, and I do believe the Bulls have the right coach.
I can remember watching USF come to play USA in the Municipal Auditorium in Mobile ALA 30 years ago. It is certainly impressive, the distance USF Athletics has traveled since then.
(01-03-2009 03:37 AM)UCbball21 Wrote: [ -> ]No offense but USF will never be ready for prime time in basketball, too many storied programs to surpass and the recruiting just isn't there.
Even the storied programs are finding it difficult to get to the upper echelon. Just look at SU and Cincinnati since the conglomeration began playing together.
Still, USF is on the right track. And Miami and FSU are both making strides in the ACC, so it's not unthinkable that the Bulls could do it at some point as well.
Cheers,
Neil
(01-03-2009 01:54 AM)usffan Wrote: [ -> ]I have to say, I was impressed with the number of Syracuse fans in attendance. Obviously, it would be nice if USF had enough fans showing up to overshadow them, but it sure appeared to be a friendly affair.
You tend to find 'Cuse fans everywhere...especially when we play in Philly and DC. Hopefully next time SU plays in Tampa, it will be over the holidays again...I'd love to make a vacation out of it.
The Bulls actually put some heart into their game in the second half and almost caught us sleeping...thankfully we pulled out the win. We need these wins against the "cupcakes" with RU and DePaul up next before we hit the many ranked teams on the sched. It's going to be a dog fight!
(01-03-2009 01:07 PM)cuseroc Wrote: [ -> ] (01-03-2009 03:37 AM)UCbball21 Wrote: [ -> ]No offense but USF will never be ready for prime time in basketball, too many storied programs to surpass and the recruiting just isn't there.
Never is such a strong word. You could have said the same thing about Miami and VT and Florida and Florida State. Now look at those programs. USF will become a solid program eventually, I am sure of that. Maybe not expecting to be in contention for the BE championship every season, but they will become a solid program. It only takes the right coach, and I do believe the Bulls have the right coach.
Cuseroc is on point. Florida had a really good class and took two titles. Who saw that first one coming? Miami used to be a joke in BB now their BB is more respected than their current FB. Ha-Ha. So there are obviously good athletes looking to play in your state you just have to steal a few during recruiting. But take your time. The BE is hard enough as is. Can you imagine if everyone improved? Get back on track and win a FB title for the BE. You'll be alright.
(01-03-2009 03:10 PM)frogman Wrote: [ -> ] (01-03-2009 01:07 PM)cuseroc Wrote: [ -> ] (01-03-2009 03:37 AM)UCbball21 Wrote: [ -> ]No offense but USF will never be ready for prime time in basketball, too many storied programs to surpass and the recruiting just isn't there.
Never is such a strong word. You could have said the same thing about Miami and VT and Florida and Florida State. Now look at those programs. USF will become a solid program eventually, I am sure of that. Maybe not expecting to be in contention for the BE championship every season, but they will become a solid program. It only takes the right coach, and I do believe the Bulls have the right coach.
Cuseroc is on point. Florida had a really good class and took two titles. Who saw that first one coming? Miami used to be a joke in BB now their BB is more respected than their current FB. Ha-Ha. So there are obviously good athletes looking to play in your state you just have to steal during recruiting.
The main thing holding back USF is their lack of fan support and local media coverage.
Fan support will be there when we win. Thats something Heath has to produce, a team that can win at least 14-15 games and compete in Big East. The problem is that for too long USF allowed the basketball program to jusy spin its wheels while all support was thrown into football.
Just like UF,UM and FSU it will be FOOTBALL that drives athletic revenue and support that eventually will fall into basketball
When (not if) the USF football program gets to where it is going (continuous top ten material and NC contender, year in and year out), then the rest of the programs, BB included will follow.
Well more good news for USF from last night's game. point guard Anthony Crater from Ohio State was there looking at USF and will transfer. So he will have 3.5 years to play for the Bulls
http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/