Quick Rundown - USF

Location: Tampa, FL

Enrollment: 44,000

Arena: Sun Dome (10,411)

Head Coach: Stan Heath

Record: 5-8 (0-1)

Projected Starters

G Dominique Jones So. 6-4

G Jesus Verdejo Sr. 6-4

G Justin Leemow Fr. 6-1

F Mobolaji Ajayi Sr. 6-9

F Eladio Espinoza Fr. 6-7

Key Reserves

G Chris Howard Jr. 6-3

F-C Augustus Gilchrist Fr. 6-10

C Alex Rivas Sanchez Fr. 6-10

F Aris Williams Sr. 6-9

G B.J. Davis Fr. 6-1

-Heath is 0-6 all-time against AP Top 25

-USF is 8-75 vs. AP Top 25

-USF is 7-44 since joining Big East (in league play)

-In 3 seasons, USF is yet to win more than 3 conference games

On Wednesday, the Cards open the Big East in sunny Tampa against the Bulls of USF. Fortunately for the Cards basketball team, USF has all their athletes on the football team, and not the basketball team. On the glass half empty side of things, the Cards have a trend of losing Big East openers. This game makes me a little nervous for two reasons. Numero uno, it is on the road. UofL lost to UNLV at home, so I know they can lose to this team on the road. Second, USF only lost to Syracuse by five, 59-54. I've come to a realization about this team. These guys can beat anybody on a given night, but they can also lose to anybody on a given night (see WKU, Minnesota, UNLV).

Hopefully, Edgar puts in the work he put in on Sunday. I've been backing mi amigo for 3 years, so I didn't need to be included in the apology...ROB. This guy is capable of playing the way he played every game. That's why Pitino was so frustrated with him. He does amazing things in practice, but it wasn't transfering to games. Anyway, back to the Bulls. Dominique Jones is their leader and best player. They start a small lineup but bring in two 6-10ers and a 6-9er off the bench. I just don't see them matching up with UofL well or being much of a problem.

Prediction: Birds poop on the Bulls 88-74.