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USF Men's Basketball Preview

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Bulls received a huge boost Wednesday when the NCAA granted highly touted transfer Gus Gilchrist eligibility beginning on Dec. 14 against Niagara. The 6-foot-10 Gilchrist, the highest-profile recruit in school history, gives USF (12-19, 3-13 Big East in 2007) an immediate impact player with the ability to score inside or outside.

No matter how much of an impact Gilchrist is, this still will be an historic season for the Bulls, who will make their first appearance in the Big East Tournament with every team getting an invitation this season.

The starting lineup that takes the floor for the season opener likely won't resemble the one the Bulls trot out when Big East play begins in January. In addition to Gilchrist, junior G Mike Mercer, a transfer from Georgia, becomes eligible Dec. 14. Also junior C Alex Rivas Sanchez, who has been bothered by a leg injury, is expected to be able to contribute later this month. He will provide depth down low.

The Bulls are deep at guard with Dominique Jones, Jesus Verdejo, Chris Howard and Mercer. USF has some quality players, but depth will be a problem once the Bulls get to Big East play - especially competing in a conference which has seven teams in the preseason Top 25 rankings.

No., Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Class	Hometown
3 Chris Howard	G	6-3	200	Jr.	Lorton, Va.*
Sixth in Big East, averaging 4.84 assists
20 Dominique Jones	G	6-4	210	So.	Lake Wales*
Big East's second-leading freshman scorer (17.1 points) last year
23 Jesus Verdejo	G	6-4	205	Sr.	Carolina, Puerto Rico*
Third-leading scorer (10.7 points); top 3-point percentage (35.9) last season
33 B.J. Ajayi	F	6-9	225	Sr.	Kano, Nigeria*
Averaged 5.3 points, 6.5 rebounds final 10 games last year
1 Eladio Espinosa	F	6-7	220	Fr.	Norlina, N.C.*
Rated nation's 38th-best power forward by ESPN.com
4 Gaby Belardo	G	6-2	180	Fr.	San Juan, Puerto Rico
5 B.J. Daniels	G	6-1	212	Fr.	Tallahassee
21 Mitch Emory	F	6-6	205	Fr.	Cocoa Beach
24 Gus Gilchrist	F/C	6-10	235	Fr.	Clinton, Md.
10 Justin Leemow	G	6-1	175	Fr.	Brooklyn, N.Y.
2 Mike Mercer	G	6-4	195	Jr.	Snellville, Ga.
11 Alex Rivas Sanchez	C	6-10	230	Jr.	Santiago, Dominican Rep.
32 Aris Williams	F	6-9	235	Sr.	Columbia, Md.

*Projected starters

SCHEDULE

All Times P.M.

Date	Opponent	Time
November
10	Tampa (Exh.)	7
14	SMU	7
19	at Virginia	7
25	High Point	7
29	Northeastern	7
December
3	at UAB	8
6	at UCF	7
14	Niagara	1
16	Vanderbilt@	7
20	Murray State#	5
21	Wright State#	7:30
22	Oral Roberts #	7:30
27	Iona	7
January
2	Syracuse*	8:30
7	Louisville*	7
10	at DePaul*	2
14	at Pittsburgh*	7
17	at West Virginia*	noon
20	DePaul*	9
24	Villanova*	noon
28	at Louisville*	7
February
1	at St. John's*	2
6	Marquette*	7
10	Providence*	7
15	at Notre Dame*	2
18	Georgetown*	7
21	at Connecticut*	2
25	at Seton Hall*	7
March
1	West Virginia*	4
3	Cincinnati*	7
7	at Rutgers*	2
10-14	at Big East Tournament$

*Big East Conference games

@ at Nashville, Tenn.

# at San Juan Shootout

$ New York

AT A GLANCE

Last year: 12-19 (3-13, tied for 15th)

Coach: Stan Heath (second year at USF, 12-19, overall record 124-96 in seven years)

Assistant coaches: Reggie Hanson, Dan Hipsher, Byron Samuels, Tommy Tonelli (director of basketball operations)

Home court: Sun Dome (10,411)

Tickets: Nonconference games $8, $15, $20; conference $10, $20, $25 (Big East tickets go on sale Dec. 15). Season tickets start at $99; 1-800-462-8557.

Radio: WHNZ, 1250 AM

Web site: gousfbulls.com

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