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Bulls Look For Good Start

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By BRETT McMURPHY

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: November 14, 2008

TAMPA - Year 2 of the Stan Heath era at the University of South Florida starts tonight against SMU. Not only are the Bulls hoping for a better start than last season, but, more importantly, a much better ending.

Last season, the Bulls started with three consecutive losses and finished 12-19. With four returning starters, the Bulls are expecting a better beginning to 2008.

After Monday's exhibition victory against the University of Tampa, Heath said the Bulls must improve their defense.

"We've got some work to do," Heath said. "At times, I'm very comfortable with our defense. At times, I see some things I don't think are good enough.

"One of the problems we have is, we're relying on guards to play both ends so much. They're not getting subbed a whole lot, so the response is 'let me take a break on the defensive end,' and that's not good. You can't take breaks on the defensive end."

USF's strength is its guards, with returning starters Dominique Jones (17.1 points), Jesus Verdejo (10.7 points) and Chris Howard (8.4 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds).

The Bulls prefer to run an up-tempo attack as much as possible, especially considering SMU was 4-20 when it allowed 60 or more points last season. The Mustangs hope to counter USF's guard-oriented attack with a strong interior game, featuring 7-foot-1 senior center Bamba Fall, who will own a four-inch advantage over USF's B.J. Ajayi.

Although four Bulls starters return, the team has only three seniors.

"We're young, but we have a lot of guys with a lot of confidence," Howard said. "Even though we're young, we have guys that can put points on the board. We're a very confident team."

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928.

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