Villanova-USF: Bulls Mauled by Wildcats in Lopsided Loss, NIT Hopes in Jeopardy

South Florida (16-11) has gotten itself back on the bubble, but this time it’s for the NIT, not the NCAA. The Bulls looked absolutely pathetic during the 74-49 trouncing at the hands of the Villanova Wildcats.

This was the worst loss of the season for USF, who for most of the season has overachieved. The Bulls seem to have peaked in early February; since then they’ve gone 1-4.

The last two losses have been exceptionally bad, but for different reasons. St. Johns beat USF on in the Sun Dome, officially ending any NCAA hopes. The Villanova loss showed a complete lack of effort in the second half. The Bulls didn’t have an answer for Scottie Reynolds who left with 21 points and a standing ovation from the home crowd of 6,500.

The Bulls have to win the next two games to secure an NIT bid. Both DePaul (8-19) and Providence (12-15) are conference bottom feeders this season. If USF wants to prove it doesn’t belong with them, it needs to win handily. The loss to St. Johns has many wondering if USF is ready to take the next step toward competing for a Big East crown.

South Florida, assuming it wins the next two games would head into the Connecticut game with 18 wins. Judging on the fact the Bulls and Huskies are heading in totally different directions at the moment, I’d be surprised to see the Bulls pull the upset even on their home court.

Dominique Jones will have to get more support from Augustus Gilchrist if the Bulls will have any hopes of successfully navigating the last stretch of the schedule, including the opening of the Big East tournament. Jones struggled against Villanova in a turnover-laden performance that led to 12 points on the night. This was a team high, and the only other Bull in double figures, Mike Mercer, finished with 11 points.

USF should get a favorable matchup in its first game of the Big East tournament, and it’ll probably need an easy win to help its NIT chances. The Bulls get back into action on Saturday when they host Providence at 7:00 PM.