2007 South Florida Bulls Basketball Preview
Last year, the South Florida Bulls (12- 18 overall, 3- 13 Big East) tied for 14th in the Big East and found that they were without a post-season berth. The Bulls have not been to the Big Dance since 1991. Over the past few years, the club has had a penchant for losing on the road. Enter coach Stan Heath (82- 71 in five years overall), who starts his first season at South Florida. The question is can Heath make a difference and get the Bulls back to the post-season?
The Bulls stats were overall about as low as they could go. With only 65.7 PPG they were 13th in scoring and in allowing opponents 67.0 PPG, they were eleventh in scoring “D.” South Florida was minus-1.3 when it came to PF/PA. The club was seventh in assists (14.6 PG) , eighth in rebounding margin (plus-2.8) and fifteenth in turnovers (16.9 PG). Overall, the club was in the middle of the pack when it came to scoring.
Senior center Kentrell Granberry (15.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 57.7 FG%) proved to be a strong inside presence last season. He notched a double-double in about half of his games last season. Granberry is a true game-breaking force. The question is who will support him in the frontcourt? Guys who might make a difference in the paint include freshman Orane Chin, Heath’s initial recruit and a standout; junior Mobolaji Ajayi, a fine athlete; and returning junior Aris Williams (3.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 34.2 FG%), who possesses the Big East big body style.
In the backcourt, Chris Howard (5.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 33,8 FG%), after innumerable setbacks, looks as if he is ready to play. If Howard can stay healthy, he’ll be tough to stop from the perimeter. Shooting guard Solomon Bozeman (9.6 PPG, 3.5 APG, 36.7 FG%) may have had a tough time last year, but he showed some fine promise.
In the long run, it will be coach Heath’s former experience and knowledge that can turn the tide here. The fact is that this can be a competitive team, looking towards a competitive post-season.
