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Fernandez, Bulls Wary Of Louisvile's McCoughtry

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2009

TAMPA - Jose Fernandez's University of South Florida team already has faced the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the country this season. However, Fernandez said his Bulls have not faced many players better than Louisville's Angel McCoughtry.

"They have one of the best players in the country, possibly the first kid that's going to be taken in the WNBA Draft," Fernandez said.

McCoughtry has been anything but an Angel against the opposition.

The 6-foot-1 senior forward leads the nation in steals (4.6) and is No. 2 in the Big East and No. 11 nationally in scoring (21.0 points). She also is Louisville's leading rebounder (8.7).

McCoughtry and the Cardinals (16-1, 3-0 Big East) visit the Bulls (14-3, 1-2) Wednesday night at 7 at the Sun Dome.

A victory would be huge for USF's resume when NCAA Tournament at-large berths are awarded in March.

"It would be a big win," Fernandez said.

Tonight's game pits contrasting styles: one of nation's top offenses against one of the nation's stingiest defenses.

USF has the nation's third-highest scoring team (86.3 points), while Louisville ranks seventh nationally in field goal percentage defense (opponents are shooting only 33.6 percent) and 10th in scoring defense (53.1 points allowed).

Guards Shantia Grace (15.9 points), Jazmine Sepulveda (13.3 points) and Janae Stokes (13.3 points) are the Bulls' only double-figure scorers, but have struggled from the field in Big East play.

USF's top three scorers are shooting 22.3 percent (23 of 103) in three Big East games, compared to 43 percent in 11 non-conference games.

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

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