South Florida Bulls host Kent State at Sun Dome
Game Time: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 12:00 AM ET
Stan Heath knows a thing or two about Kent State having coached there earlier this decade, and he'll have his South Florida Bulls ready to win and cover at home on Wednesday.
USF head coach Stan Heath faces his old school when the Kent State Golden Flashes trek south on Wednesday to the Sun Dome.
Heath was at the helm of the Golden Flashes in 2001-02, his first head coaching position. He led KSU to the NCAA Tournament with a 30-6 record, one of Heath’s three appearances in The Dance, as the Flashes advanced all the way to the Elite 8. For the accomplishment, Heath was named 2002 MAC Coach of the Year, CBSSportsline.com, CollegeInsider.com and National Rookie Coach of the Year.
At Kent State, Heath produced one MAC Defensive Player of the Year in Demetric Shaw and three All-MAC selections in Trevor Huffman, Andrew Mitchell and Antonio Gates.
The Bulls are led by Dominque Jones who was an all tournament at the recently concluded Charleston Classic, Jones led the Bulls to a third-place finish with a stellar game against UNC Wilmington. Along with his season-high 28 points, he had six steals, three assists and four rebounds.
With 74 points against North Carolina Wilmington, USF broke out of the 60s after scoring in the 60’s in their first four games of the season. The Bulls are outshooting opponents 47.7 to 39.5 percent from the field and 31.3 to 22.2 percent from long range.
The Bulls have also out-rebounded their five opponents 175-165 and have 16 more assists and eight more steals than their foes. Three Bulls are averaging double-digit points and at least six rebounds per game including in Jones.
Kent State’s “bread and butter” guy is senior guard Tyree Evans. He’s one of the top pure shooters in the country and has connected on 41 percent from downtown this season. Junior guard Rodriguez Sherman has had at least 15 points and four assists in four straight games.
Since allowing a season high 87 points in an overtime loss to Green Bay on Nov. 15, the Kent State defense has given up just 52.5 ppg the last two contests.
South Florida enters tonight’s game with a 4-1 (SU and ATS). Kent State is also 4-1 overall but 2-2 vs. the number. The Bulls resume includes a road victory at SMU and a neutral court victory over Davidson. The Golden Flashes have played just one lined game and that was a loss to Samford in the season opener.
Kent State is looking for its best start in school history but it figures to be tough for the Golden Flashes to accomplish. First there’s the travel as KSU is playing in the state of Florida for just the second time in school history. Secondly the Bulls have played a much tougher schedule to open the season.
It seems like an easy call to make. Take South Florida and lay the eight points. It’s a very good possibility that Jones and the Bulls will take care of business tonight.
Free Pick: South Florida -8 (-110)