BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: Rutgers @ South Florida

January 24, 2007


Tonight in the Sun Dome is the battle for the basement as South Florida welcomes Rutgers to the sunshine state. Rutgers and South Florida sport identical 1-5 conference records at the bottom of the conference, so something has to give tonight.

Here are the pregame stories and previews found on the internet:


Rutgers-USF Scouting Report (Courier News)
Philosophical Hill Slowly Getting Knights Attention (Courier News)
Rutgers in Need of Victory Tonight (Star-Ledger)
Bulls face Critical Home Stretch (Tampa Tribune)
USF-Rutgers (St. Pete Times)

Click below for our brief preview and prediction on this game and don't forget to leave your prediction in the comments section.

READ REST OF PREVIEW...CLICK "Read More" BELOW


Rutgers has found success on the road this year, winning at Cincinnati 54-42, but like most of their games, they struggle to put the ball in to the basket, shooting just 32% from the floor and 21% (16-76) from 3-pt range in their last four conference contests. The Scarlet Knights are led by JR Inman in scoring (11 PPG) and rebounding (7/game) and also get contributons consistently from Marquis Webb who is also one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Where they need more consistency from is sophomores Jaron Griffin and Anthony Farmer, neither shooting above 39% from the floor.

South Florida is led by Melvin Buckely, who scored 16 PPG and also has been getting solid play from Kentrell Gransberry who averaged 15 PPG and 10.6 rebounds. Gransberry and Jesus Verdejo have given the Bulls more offense since becoming eligible after the 1st semester, but injuries still handicap the Bulls who will be without forwards Aris Williams and Melvyn Richardson because of injuries. Chris Howard has given the Bulls solid play at point guard and balances the offense a little more. With Chris Capko available and Solomon Bozeman playing a combo-guard position, the Bulls are slowly building some backcourt depth. However, the injuries to Richardson and Williams, along with Zaronn Cann, continue to deplete the frontcourt.


The Bulls are the favorite tonight at -6.5 and Pomeroy predicts them as a 7-pt winner. They do have the talent to outscore the Scarlet Knights, but could be limited by their lack of depth. In any event, I think the Bulls pull this one out.

NBE Blogger Prediction: South Florida 63 Rutgers 58