USF Finishes Nonconference Play On High Note, Now Focuses on Big East

USF has now matched its win total of last year just 12 games into the season. The Bulls also went 2-0 in the Holiday Hoops Classic, something they haven’t done since 2003 when they beat southern Alabama and New Orleans.

The Bulls beat San Francisco on Saturday 69-49, and then turned around and beat San Diego 69-60 today. The Bulls got a well-rounded scoring effort from the starters in both games as they acclimated without Augustus Gilchrist.

Jarrid Famous, Dominique Jones, Chris Howard, and Mike Mercer look poised to fill the shoes of the injured Gilchrist during the start of conference play. Gilchrist, who’s expected to return late January or early February, will be a welcome addition for the last half of the season.

Dominique Jones is averaging 18.6 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. Jarrid Famous has stepped up with the increased minutes and is averaging 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. Chris Howard averages 10.0 points and 4.2 assists a game. Mike Mercer’s 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds a game have come at key times for the Bulls so far this season.

Even without Gilchrist, this Bulls team will challenge their upcoming Big East foes with their run and gun style of play. USF has steadily improved its three-point percentage, which is currently at 41 percent. The Bulls are shooting 45 percent from the field and 68 percent from the charity stripe.

An area that needs immediate improvement is the Bulls' 14 turnovers a game. Dominique Jones is responsible for three of these turnovers every game, and also leads the team with 32 on the year. Augustus Gilchrist is second, averaging 2.4 turnovers a game, and has 25 on the year. Many of these turnovers have come in the second half. The Bulls have turned the ball over more in the second half compared to the first half in all but one game this season.

The Bulls, now 10-2, will begin the tough uphill climb that is Big East conference play. Louisville will host the Bulls on Dec. 30th at 7pm for their first conference game. It won’t get any easier, as the next three games include Notre Dame, Syracuse, and West Virginia.