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South Florida, Heath Hoping For A Repeat

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 20, 2008

TAMPA - The last time the University of South Florida faced Bob Huggins, the Bulls upset No. 21-ranked Cincinnati in the 2005 Conference USA Tournament.

The last time Stan Heath coached against West Virginia, Heath's Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Mountaineers last year in Orlando.

Although it will be under different circumstances today at the Forum, the Bulls and Heath hope to continue that success against Huggins and West Virginia. This will be the first meeting between USF and West Virginia since Heath and Huggins were hired in April.

The Bulls (10-8, 1-4 Big East) have lost four straight since winning their Big East opener against Rutgers, while the Mountaineers (13-4, 3-2) have lost their only two Big East road games.

"The experience gap between their team and our team is huge," Heath said. "Hopefully at home that will help us. I had a chance to play against those guys last year, but this year it's a different coach, a different style. They're off to a good start."

During USF's four-game losing streak, the Bulls are allowing opponents to hit 48.4 percent (31 of 64) of their 3-pointers and all West Virginia does is lead the Big East with 8.5 3-pointers per game.

By comparison, 11 Mountaineers have made at least three 3-pointers this season, compared with only two Bulls.

"They've got forward Joe Alexander and guard Alex Ruoff, and Darris Nichols is one of the most underrated point guards in the country," USF sophomore point guard Chris Howard said. "They're a team that's been together for a while.

"They're a team that will have experience and, besides the players, they have one of the best coaches in the league."

Huggins, who returned to his alma mater this season after one year at Kansas State, was targeted by USF boosters in February 2006. A group of USF boosters said it was prepared to buy out former USF coach Robert McCullum's final three seasons and discussed the possibility with Huggins' attorney.

However, USF athletic director Doug Woolard brought back McCullum for another season and Huggins was hired at Kansas State.

Ironically, Huggins' last game against USF, the Bulls' 80-68 upset in the C-USA semifinals in Memphis, Tenn., was the only time in 15 meetings Huggins lost to USF.

Now, the Bulls are in desperate need of a victory to stay in contention to finish among the league's top 12 and qualify for the Big East Tournament.

"We have to defend our home court," USF senior center Kentrell Gransberry said. "It will be a great challenge.

"Every game is a must win with the situation we're in, in the conference. Not every team is going to the conference tournament. Every game is a must win."

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be

reached at (813) 259-7928 or

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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