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Bulls Want To Build On Victory

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida coach Stan Heath didn't even have 30 minutes to enjoy his most impressive victory before someone asked his thoughts about USF's next opponent: No. 17 Connecticut.

"Do we have to?" Heath joked.

As well as USF (11-14, 2-10 Big East) performed offensively in its 89-78 win against Syracuse on Wednesday, the Bulls will have to be even better offensively - and defensively - today against the Huskies (19-5, 8-3), who enter on an eight-game win streak.

"We want to build off our game versus Syracuse," Heath said. "We want to continue to work. This is a very difficult challenge.

"UConn is playing as well as anyone in the country."

Wednesday's victory was only the Bulls' sixth in 40 Big East games. Today, they'll try to do something they've never done in Big East play and haven't accomplished since being a Conference USA member in 2005: win back-to-back conference games.

"We have to shift to the next gear and forget about the last game," Heath said. "If not, we have no chance. Our guys know that. Our guys know they have to stick to the game plan."

USF's biggest challenge will be slowing UConn guard A.J. Price and 7-foot-3 center Hasheem Thabeet. USF senior center Kentrell Gransberry or junior forward B.J. Ajayi likely will draw the defensive assignment against Thabeet.

"I've never faced a 7-3 guy that good," Heath said. "Last year, then-Ohio State center Greg Oden was the guy doing what Thabeet is doing this year."

The Bulls are 0-2 against UConn in Big East play and have never defeated Coach Jim Calhoun. UConn won 69-50 last season in Hartford, Conn., and 66-53 in 2006 in Tampa.

If the Bulls upset UConn, it would give USF a victory over a sixth coach that has won a national championship.

Gransberry (16.8 points) paces three Bulls averaging in double figures, along with Dominique Jones (16.1) and Jesus Verdejo (10.0).

After today, the Bulls have only two home games remaining: Feb. 26 vs. Seton Hall and March 8 vs. Notre Dame.

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

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