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USF Quickly Embraces Heath's Uptempo Style

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 16, 2007

Updated: 12/16/2007 12:13 am

TAMPA - After 10 games, the University of South Florida's 7-3 record is identical to last season.

Not much else, though, is the same.

The biggest change is the coach. Stan Heath is in his first year, replacing Robert McCullum, who was fired after four seasons at USF.

There also are other differences: like attitude, optimism and hope.

"It's a whole different season," USF freshman Dominique Jones said. "A whole new coach, different players, we're a different brand now. We're adidas now. Everything is different."

The Bulls started slow under Heath, losing their first three games by a total of 17 points. But USF since has won seven consecutive games, tied as the nation's 15th-longest current streak, and USF's best streak since starting 7-0 in 2001-02.

Last year Jones was a senior at Lake Wales High School. He signed with USF and McCullum in November 2006 and despite last season's 12-18 record, he never wavered on his commitment.

"That deliberate offense McCullum ran was something I was thinking about," Jones said. "They ran a set offense, but I thought if Coach McCullum sees we can score just running and gunning, maybe he'll want to switch."

The offense wasn't switched, but the coach was. Athletic Director Doug Woolard fired McCullum with two years left on his contract.

"God meant for me to come here because he brought Coach Heath here at the same time," said Jones, who is averaging a team-high 16.7 points and has won the past two Big East rookie of the week awards. "We run the same style that Lake Wales runs and that's 'run.' That's what I like."

Jones is not alone.

Junior guard Jesus Verdejo transferred to USF from Arizona in January. Verdejo also considered Miami, but then-USF assistant Greg Gary convinced Verdejo he would be the focal point of the offense, even comparing the number of shots taken by then USF senior James Holmes to Miami's top shooter.

But once he arrived at USF, Verdejo's style of play didn't mesh with McCullum's. Verdejo had 20 points in his debut last season but scored more than 10 points in only three of the other 21 games.

In his first eight games this season, Verdejo made as many 3-pointers as he did in 22 games last season, while his 3-point shooting percentage has increased from 29.4 to 41.7 percent.

Last year, he averaged 23 minutes and seven points. This year, he's averaging 27.3 minutes and 11.3 points.

"Coach Heath, he likes to emphasis pushing it up the court," Verdejo said. "If you have an open shot, take it. If you don't, then we call a play. That's helped me a lot."

The Bulls have fully embraced Heath's uptempo, motion offense. Senior center Kentrell Gransberry is averaging 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds and point guard Chris Howard is averaging 12.1 points, 6.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds.

"Winning is contagious," Heath said. "It helps the kids' confidence how they feel about themselves. I think winning breeds success. They feel good about it, they want to enjoy that and so they work harder to stay on that path. I think these nonconference games are very important games, but there is heightened importance in Big East play. If you don't learn how to win now, then you won't be prepared for the Big East."

The Bulls visit Wake Forest on Wednesday and close the nonconference schedule against St. Francis (N.Y.) on Saturday and Winston-Salem State on Dec. 29 before opening Big East play Jan. 2 against Rutgers.

"Dominique Jones and the other guys keep contributing, that's the difference from last year," Gransberry said. "Chris Howard is healthy, Verdejo is giving us quality minutes and we have a bench this year. All those guys have us at 7-3 and hopefully 10-3 going into the Big East."

Only the league's top 12 teams make this year's Big East tourney, but next season all 16 teams will qualify.

"We want to get to the NCAA Tournament and the Big East Tournament this year and not wait for them to put in a rule for us to get there next year," Gransberry said.

Jones, who has scored 85 points in USF's last three games, wants even more.

"I'm kind of greedy, I'm still mad we lost those first three games," Jones said. "This is a good start, but we could be 10-0 instead of 7-3."

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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