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Beleaguered Bulls Limp Into Big East Tournament

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 2, 2009

Updated: 03/02/2009 11:37 pm

TAMPA - For the past three years, the final week of the regular season marked the end of another University of South Florida basketball season. No postseason plans, just playing out the string.

This year, though, is different since the Big East Conference Tournament expanded to allow every team to qualify. So even with the Bulls (8-20, 3-13 Big East) buried again near the bottom of the league standings, there is still something to play for.

The question is: Will the Bulls have anything left?

Injuries have decimated the Bulls' roster and taken their toll on USF's paper-thin depth. In tonight's final home game for USF's three seniors (not so ironically, two won't play because of injuries), the Bulls host Cincinnati (18-11, 8-8).

Sophomore Dominique Jones said the Bulls' lack of depth and concerns about getting worn down late in games have changed the way they're playing.

"I think we play more not to lose instead of just saying, 'We're going to go out and play them. We're going to go beat them. We're going to go do our thing,'" Jones said.

"I think there's so much pressure to hit a shot, that's why we have so many problems shooting. Everyone just needs to shake it out, shake it out. By the Big East Tournament we have to be ready. We have to battle every night."

Forward Aris Williams, the Bulls' only healthy senior, had 11 points in Sunday's loss to West Virginia. Starting senior guard Jesus Verdejo (foot) and senior forward B.J. Ajayi (knee) will not play tonight.

With the Bulls in 14th place in the league - they can't finish any higher but could drop to 15th - USF coach Stan Heath said his club isn't concerned with its seeding in the league tournament, which starts March 10.

"We're not trying to get in any position," Heath said. "We're just trying to get wins. Trying to find a way to get some wins, it's not easy. We're short-handed. It's not a seeding thing. We just want to get wins."

The Bulls have never won more than three Big East games in a season. Since winning their third league game on Feb. 6, the Bulls have lost six consecutive games by an average of 13.8 points. USF has two more opportunities for that elusive fourth league win - tonight and Saturday's regular-season finale at Rutgers.

"We're struggling right now," USF junior Chris Howard said. "But the mind-set in the locker room is to finish strong and get these two."

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

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