Pittsburgh-USF: Bulls Take Down Panthers 70-61 in Stunning Upset

The Bulls (14-7) are on a roll right now. For the first time ever they won three Big East games in a row.  Beating Providence and Seton Hall are understandable, but upsetting No. 17 Pittsburgh is a big accomplishment for this Bulls team.

I really think USF is starting to turn the corner as a team and how they view the Big East. They don’t pack it in once they’re down significantly on the road or at home. The fans are starting to show as well, nearly 5,400 rowdy Bulls fans filed into the Sun Dome to watch the upset.

This was the first time since Feburary 6, of last year that the Bulls have beaten a ranked opponent. They downed No. 9 Marquette 57-56 then, but today it was a sound victory. The Bulls pulled away late and once again relied on Dominique Jones to carry them to victory. His 37 points now puts him third amongst Big East players in point per game this season. Only Luke Harangody, and Jeremy Hazell are ahead of him.

The Bulls improve little by little every game. Today impressed me as they only had five turnovers against a stingy defense. This is only the third time since 2003, and it's against Big East talent which makes it that much more impressive.

Chris Howard continues to be a large part of the Bulls new-found success. He was the only other Bull in double figures with 13 points, but it’s his defense that’s helps the most. He added six rebounds, and stifling defense in his 34 minutes of action.

Toalyn Fitzpatrick grabbed 10 rebounds and Jarrid Famous chipped in eight points against the Panthers Gary McGhee. This combined effort is what the Bulls will get out of one player when Augustus Gilchrist comes back next week.

The road doesn’t get any easier for the Bulls. No. 11 Georgetown (16-4) comes up next for USF. The showdown on Wednesday will be yet another test, as the Bulls begin a three game road stretch with. Notre Dame and Marquette fill the other two games, and all three will be tough tests for the peaking Bulls team.